
Being a Circular Innovation Challenge Judge
Help decide the eight Pitch Finalists from our initial pool of applicants, and then eight weeks later, award the Circular Innovation Challenge grand prize winner of $10,000 cash, continued mentorship, access to investors, and more!
The Circular Innovation Challenge is a business pitch competition for the best manufactured product idea produced from ‘waste’ or recycled materials. Eight finalists will be selected to hone their business plan and pitch. Winner(s) will be announced at a (virtual) LIVE event on June 23rd.
This program is inspired by Austin’s [Re]Verse Pitch and New York City’s Curb to Market competitions.
Presented by Seattle Good Business Network, in partnership with the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, and made possible by a grant from the WA Department of Ecology.
Circular Innovation Challenge Judge positions are by invitation only. Contact gro.doogelttaes@ocin with any questions.
Judge Role Details
We’re looking for industry experts, practitioners, and other individuals passionate about waste prevention and circular economy innovation to participate as judges for our inaugural Circular Innovation Challenge 2021 applicants.
We anticipate approximately 5-10 hours of a time commitment for judges over the course of eight weeks, between 4/23 and 6/23.
Applications are currently open for business/product ideas.
Applications will close on Friday, April 23rd at 11:59pm.
From this first round applicants, up to eight will be chosen as Pitch Finalists. Finalists will have seven weeks to refine their business plan and pitch, to be submitted for final judging by 6/11.
We’re asking our judging panel to be available for:
- A Judges Panel orientation on 4/20 from 1-2pm
- Two rounds of virtual judging using scoring sheets provided by the Circular Innovation Challenge team
- Attend the LIVE virtual Circular Innovation Challenge on 6/23
1. Judges must not have conflicts of interest as it relates to the Circular Innovation Challenge competition (ie, business, professional, monetary, or familial relations to any of the Pitch Applicants). First round of applications will be provided to judges by 4/23.
2. Judges must attend the final event on 6/23 4:30-6:30pm PT
3. Judges must send a headshot, and short 1-sentence bio/role description for inclusion on the Circular Innovation Website and media/promotions/communications
Application Ground Rules
APPLICANTS MUST:
- Be within Washington State
- Present a new product idea that is not currently on the market and that uses ‘waste’ or recycled material – a minimum of 50% of the product must consist of this reused/upcycled material
- Use a material from an acceptable material stream, which include, but are not limited to: Construction and Demolition; Glass; Metal; Organics/Food; Paper; Plastic; Textiles; Wood; Pigment, etc.)
Formal Judging Sheets will be provided to all judges alongside applications when ready for review on 4/23/21.
THE CIRCULAR INNOVATION CHALLENGE IS SEEKING A WINNING PITCH IDEA THAT:
- Shows innovation through solving for a prominent waste stream in WA State
- Shows plausible scalability: Pitches must clearly outline market demand and ability to scale across the region, and beyond
- Shows potential for equitable impact. Pitches that have greater positive impact on historically under-resourced individuals and communities (BIPOC, refugee, immigrant, low-income, etc.) will receive more points (e.g., create new jobs, create a product that has low-barriers to access and purchasing/affordability, etc.)
- Shows viable metrics around environmental impact (e.g., measurable reductions in carbon emissions, water usage, pollution and/or chemicals)
Reach out to gro.doogelttaes@ocin with any questions!