Why is design still overlooked in Germany’s circular economy events?

Most circular economy events in Germany focus on engineering, technology and economic policy. But design, where 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined, rarely takes center stage.

In this episode, Bernd Müller, Director of Relations and Sustainability at the German Design Council, explains why they created the Circular Design Summit to change that. He shares how the summit brings together companies, designers and other departments to work on circularity from the start of the product lifecycle. Bernd reflects on the value of collaboration, and why both design and business need to evolve together. He also points to upcoming trends like repair, resale and the search for scalable materials.

This episode is part of Circular Design Summit in cooperation with the German Design Council.

People

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/

Chapters

About

The Council serves as a hub for knowledge transfer, strategic consulting and networking, providing a platform for over 300 member companies. Its activities include organising high-profile international awards such as the German Design Award, hosting conferences including the Circular Design Summit, conducting studies and promoting best practices in branding and innovation.

Further Links

One-page Summary

This episode is a recorded panel session from the Circular Design Summit 2025 explores how design can accelerate the shift toward a circular economy by rethinking roles, materials, and systems. Moderated by Karel J. Golta, the conversation brings together perspectives from Kathie Morgenroth (Google), Steffen Erath (Hansgrohe), and Markus Kühlert (Wuppertal Institute).

The panelists discuss the need for transdisciplinary collaboration, integration of compliance into early-stage design, and redefining what it means to be a designer in the context of sustainability. From hardware-software integration to product-as-a-service models, the discussion highlights how circularity requires embedding longevity, repairability, and desirability into the entire product experience.

This episode is part of the Circular Design Summit series, a Circularity.fm series in collaboration with the German Design Council.

People

About

Through an engaging mix of keynotes, masterclasses, and panel discussions, the program focuses on core themes such as Circular Business, Circular Design, Closing the Loop, the EU Ecodesign Directive, and the impact of digital technologies and policy. Hosted in collaboration with a network of over 330 member companies from the design-oriented economy, the Circular Design Summit fosters cross-industry exchange and positions design as a strategic tool for innovation, growth, and sustainable change.

Further Links

How can design help tackle the global e-waste challenge?

In this episode, Katie Morgenroth, Head of Sustainable Design at Google, explains how her team works across hardware products like Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit to reduce environmental impact. She shares Google's approach to using recycled materials in metals and textiles, extending software support to make devices last longer, and developing 100% plastic-free packaging.

Katie describes the collaborative work with engineers, materials scientists, and supply chain teams needed to redesign products for repairability and durability, and emphasizes the value of sharing design guides and learnings openly. She also talks about using storytelling and exhibitions to make circular design visible, and why embracing “progress over perfection” is essential for industry-wide change.

This episode is part of the Circular Design Summit series, a Circularity.fm series in collaboration with the German Design Council.

People

Chapters

About

As a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. since 2015, Google continues to expand its reach across digital services and platforms. In addition to its software and internet services, Google has made substantial investments in hardware, producing devices such as Pixel smartphones, smart speakers, and wearables, establishing a multibillion-dollar hardware business in recent years.

Further Links

Regeneration is gaining traction, but what does it take to finance and scale truly regenerative businesses? In this episode, Alessa Berg, founder of Top Tier Impact, explains why regeneration requires a systemic mindset, how financial instruments can support regenerative models, and what founders need to consider before taking funding.

Alessa shares practical distinctions between debt, grants, equity, and blended finance, and advises founders to get clear on their long-term vision before choosing a path. She explains how regenerative VC funds differ from traditional ones in capital structure, return expectations, and alignment with impact. The conversation also highlights overlooked local opportunities for regeneration, especially in Europe, and challenges in shifting global supply chains.

People

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/

Chapters

About

With a network spanning over 50 countries and thousands of founders, corporate professionals, and investors managing $50 trillion in assets, TTI facilitates collaboration, investment, and innovation across sectors such as climate tech, regenerative finance, and food systems. The organization provides its members with exclusive networking opportunities, and access to events like the United Nations COP and Davos WEF, while also offering advisory services in ESG, climate, and policy to bridge private sector expertise with public policy implementation.

One-page Summary

What does it take to secure funding for asset-heavy, circular startups?

In this episode, Jakob Röskamp, CFO at Traceless Materials, shares how customer validation builds investor confidence, why off-take agreements are key to de-risking CapEx-heavy models, and how combining equity, debt, and grants can reduce the cost of capital.

While this series looks at how VCs select circular startups, it’s equally important to understand how startups choose their investors. Jakob shares practical insights on what that process looks like from the startup side. He also talks about Traceless’s approach to lifecycle assessments, as well as managing complexity when scaling a circular solution in the real world.

People

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/

Chapters

About

Their materials are fully compostable, leaving no harmful traces in the environment, and offer a real alternative for products where recycling isn’t practical. By combining cutting-edge science with a commitment to circularity, Traceless is helping to shape a future where everyday products no longer contribute to the global plastic problem.

Further Links

One-page Summary

How can purpose-driven founders and investors work together to build the solutions our economy urgently needs?

Many startups are building solutions that target the root causes of today’s biggest challenges. But purpose-driven angel investors still have to evaluate each team individually, making it hard to fund impact at scale.

In this episode, Tina Dreimann, founder of better ventures, explains how her network connects founders and investors to systematically change our economy towards impact and return. Tina also points out the principle of integral investing, where revenue and impact grow together. She shares how startups and established companies can form a symbiosis: combining entrepreneurial startup speed with corporate scale to shift entire value chains. Tina also advises founders to prioritise team strength and early customer validation.

This episode is part of VC for Circularity - the Venture Capital Perspective on Circular Economy Startups.

People

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/

Chapters

About

Their investments focus on startups creating positive impact in areas such as climate, ecosystems, resources, new work, education, and health, working closely with founders as partners and sparring partners to help build sustainable, impactful ventures.

Further Links

everdrop: https://www.everdrop.de

Book recommendation: Integral Investing: From Profit to Prosperity by Dr. Mariana Bozesan

Report Circular Republic: https://www.circular-republic.org/startup-landscape-2025

WEPA’s episode: https://circularity.fm/family-business-transform-towards-circular-value-creation-by-carl-luis-rieger-wepa-circulaze-summit/

One-page Summary

What will it take to recover more critical materials when demand is growing and recovery systems aren’t keeping up?

With the growing deployment of solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and data centers, demand for metals and minerals is rising fast. But current systems for recovering and reusing these materials are limited, inefficient, or missing entirely.

In this episode, Aly Bryan, Senior Member of the investment team at Closed Loop Partners’ Venture Group, explains why critical materials have become a central topic in the circular economy. She introduces the concepts of small-loop and large-loop circularity, discusses the role of modular recovery infrastructure, and shares why relying on large, centralized processing facilities may no longer be the most effective approach. Aly also explores how circular startups can work within existing supply chains and why reverse logistics is essential to making recovery work at scale.

This episode is part of VC for Circularity - the Venture Capital Perspective on Circular Economy Startups.

People

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/

Chapters

About

Their venture capital arm, Closed Loop Ventures Group, invests early-stage capital in companies reimagining product design, manufacturing, consumption, and recovery to eliminate waste and transform supply chains.

Further Links

Pitcher portal: https://www.closedlooppartners.com/about-us/contact-us/

More on Closed Loop: https://www.closedlooppartners.com/capital-management/venture-capital/ventures/

One-page Summary

"What does it take for circular and impact-driven startups to raise funding from VCs?

In this episode, Charlotte Lafont, Principal at Ring Capital, explains how funds can integrate impact into every stage of the investment process, from evaluating impact intentionality to setting KPIs that are audited and tied to carried interest. Charlotte highlights what circular founders need to demonstrate to attract funding: strong product–market fit, alignment with existing value chains, and the ability to scale beyond niche markets.

This episode is part of VC for Circularity - the Venture Capital Perspective on Circular Economy Startups.

People

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert

Chapters

About

Its ecosystem includes dedicated programs for growth tech, impact ventures, and philanthropic initiatives, all aimed at fostering innovation and positive societal change.

Further Links

United for Impact Initiative:

Latest investment in the waste industry:

One-page Summary

What does it take to invest in circularity in construction - an industry defined by waste, emissions, and long scaling cycles?

In this episode, Bengt Steinbrecher of Holcim MAQER Ventures shares how one of the largest building materials companies works with startups to decarbonise the sector. From reusing 10 million tons of demolition material to testing carbon-storing concrete across Europe, Holcim blends strategic relevance with clear circular KPIs.

The episode explores how corporate venture capital enables circular startups to scale in the construction industry - through market access, operational integration, and long-term collaboration.

This episode is part of VC for Circularity - the Venture Capital Perspective on Circular Economy Startups.

People

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypscher/

Chapters

About

Through these approaches, Holcim MAQER Ventures connects startups with market access, technical expertise, and resources to drive decarbonization and reinvent how the world builds

Further Links

One-page Summary

Decarbonising the economy is a political goal and a commercial opportunity. How can circular startups benefit as well?

In this episode, Mark Windeknecht, Principal at World Fund, discusses the connection between decarbonisation and the circular economy. By examining the battery recycling startup Cylib, the food startup Planet A Foods and the consumer tech startup Faircado, Mark provides insights into the drawdown potential of different business models. As a considerable share of circular startups are asset-heavy, Mark touches upon the challenges and opportunities of financing the growth of these circular business models.

This episode is part of VC for Circularity - the Venture Capital Perspective on Circular Economy Startups.

People

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert

Chapters

About

As a climate tech VC, World Fund is driven by tackling the climate crisis and only invests in technologies with scalable businesses and significant emissions savings potential. World Fund supports startups from early to growth stage, focusing on Energy, Food and Agriculture, Manufacturing, Buildings, and Mobility.

Further Links

Portfolio Companies:

One-page Summary

Transcript