Reverse Logistics Accelerator successfully completed

Startups bring a breath of fresh air to the circular economy

The reverse logistics accelerator from Circular Valley and startport underlines regional cooperation between Wuppertal and Duisburg and serves as an indicator to strengthen North Rhine-Westphalia as a business location. The startups were supported in close cooperation to make return logistics more sustainable and efficient.

Duisburg, 25.11.2025 — After three months of workshops, pitch training and networking events, it's clear: The Reverse Logistics Accelerator startups — initiated by Circular Valley and startport — are bringing a breath of fresh air to the circular economy. Thirteen startups successfully completed the accelerator at Demo Day in the Historic City Hall in Wuppertal.
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New impetus for return logistics

All participants in the Reverse Logistics Accelerator share the goal of making return logistics more sustainable, efficient and digital. With BooxIt, Circular Logistics, xpack green logistics, The Ocean Package and Palprint, several teams are working on innovative packaging and reusable solutions. Sacred Valley Tech, koorvi and Urbix Hub are developing digital tools and platforms to make return processes more transparent and efficient. Sustainable energy and transport solutions are bringing in eDeenEnergy, Maxmove and wempyre, while design directives and refurbished provide new impetus with circular design and recycling approaches.

The intensive workshop, coaching and networking phase successfully completed the first reverse logistics accelerator from Circular Valley and startport. “The startups have shown how much innovative power there is in combining logistics and the circular economy,” says Dr. Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation. “With the Reverse Logistics Accelerator, we have succeeded in creating a program that provides concrete solutions for the transformation towards a circular economy. ”
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Networking and exchange at duisport connect

An important item on the agenda was the duisport connect network event at the beginning of October, at which the participating startups presented their business models to representatives from industry, science and politics. “The participating startups have made impressive progress in the short period of the program — professionally, strategically and personally,” says Johannes Franke, managing director of startport.

The Reverse Logistics Accelerator was created to help young companies make the return, reuse and processing of products more efficient and sustainable, a key lever for the circular economy.

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Circular Valley overview

Circular Valley is the international hotspot for the circular economy based in the extended Rhine-Ruhr region. The non-profit Circular Valley Foundation brings relevant stakeholders together. Across industries and technologies, companies, startups, science and politics are working together to develop solutions for the transformation to a true circular economy. Public relations, the world's first Circular Economy Accelerator and policy recommendations are the Foundation's priorities.

www.circular-valley.org

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