Develop your circular business model during a 3-day workshop cycle

General information

Creating companies believe in the power of creation. They literally give shape to ideas. Northern Limburg is home to many manufacturing companies and their suppliers.

As a result, the North Limburg manufacturing industry contributes to a progressive, collective consciousness. A consciousness that thinks about the future of our region. How can we do business better? How can we do business more efficiently and, above all, more sustainably? In other words, how do we ensure that we are ready for the future?

By using raw materials more efficiently and reusing materials, we ensure that we can continue to make our products and seize opportunities for cost savings. Especially given current commodity prices. We must move toward a circular economy!

Are you also striving for cost reduction in your business processes? For a more future-proof business model? For a stronger position in the market? And do you wonder if this can be done in a sustainable way? Then this CIRCO track is for you!

The unique thing about this program is that you do this together with other companies from your region. From everyone's own position and business case you can gain knowledge of circular entrepreneurship and - (re-)design, but also think about re-use, reduce and repair for example.

This CIRCO track is organized by Land of Makers in close cooperation with Rabobank, LIOF and the national organization CIRCO.

The Track

The program is designed to maximize the knowledge, experience and energy of all attendees with minimal time commitment. Guidance is provided by two experienced CIRCO trainers who have knowledge within this sector and will take you step by step through your own circular proposition.

The track consists of three half days in which there is physical and online contact between the trainers and all participants. In between these contact moments individual work is done on their own case. The total time investment is approximately 20 hours.

Dates subject to change: start week 10 2023 at 2-week intervals (not during school vacations)

Session 1 - Discovery I morning or afternoon I location Rabobank Venlo

During the first day you will get to know the other participants. During the morning you will work with a product or service from your own company. You will analyze the current linear value chain and identify where value destruction and waste occurs. Here are circular opportunities! Homework after this session: You select the best opportunity and formulate an ambition; you have a call with the CIRCO trainer to sharpen your ideas.

Session 2 - Designing I morning or afternoon I Online

In the second session you will share your ambitions with other participants so that they can provide you with useful input. Then you will start working in a focused way on the circular business models and design strategies. You will develop your circular business model and/or (re)design your product or service. Homework after this session: You will map all the change and make an overview of all the actions needed.

Session 3 - Application I afternoon and followed by drinks I location tbd

In this last session you will be prepared to take the step towards the realization of circular products, services and business models. We look at technical and commercial feasibility, the consequences for business operations and the circular impact. You will also exchange your plans with the other participants in the track and any invited guests. We conclude this last day and thus the CIRCO track with drinks.

Why do you want to participate?

Circular entrepreneurship offers new business opportunities! You increase your competitiveness, you create new values for your business and your customers.

• It's a reassessment of your business model. Is it future-proof and what new visions are there in this area?
• Sustainable companies grow faster, are more attractive to employees and have a better starting position in these dynamic times.
• Participating in CIRCO offers many opportunities to tap into a wider network, contact with other sectors and a growing (regional) community.
• Working together -within and outside the chain- makes ideas smarter and more feasible.
• You get access to up-to-date knowledge and concrete actionable tools with subject matter experts.

What does it provide?

The end result of this three-day track is a solid plan of action and a first realized step toward a more sustainable business. With this, you can not only make your business more sustainable but also realize:

• Lower costs, because less waste.
• More sales.
• A stronger position in the chain because of your 'license to produce'.

Who can participate?

Manufacturing companies and their suppliers based in the North Limburg region who want to discover what the circular economy can mean for the company and how to make it practical. If you are also an SME you can claim a 75% discount on the participation fee. With sufficient participation of SMEs, non-SME companies (from the region) are more than welcome. Unfortunately, they cannot claim the discount on participation fees.

What is your investment?

• Per company participation in this CIRCO Track costs € 550,- incl. VAT. For this amount, a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 persons per company, can follow 3 full-day track.
• The actual costs are € 2,200 per company. However, LIOF is covering 75% of those costs through the LimburgToekomstbestendig program so the cost for you is only € 550.
• This discount is only valid for Limburg SMEs. If your company is not an SME or not a Limburg company you are also welcome to participate but will pay the actual costs.

Want to know more?

Want to know more about this CIRCO Track or about the CIRCO Hub Limburg? Click the button below and find more information on the LIOF website!