Accelerator Application Information
Deadline: MARCH 25, 2026
APPLICATION PERIOD: FEB 2 - MAR 25
What is an Accelerator?
An accelerator is a short-term program that helps organizations rapidly scale and grow by providing mentorship, consulting from subject matter/technical experts, and access to partner and funding networks.
The NextCycle Michigan Circular Economy Accelerator is a free six-month program that provides coaching and mentoring in business and operational planning, access to technical and circular economy expertise, connections to supply chain partners, identification of funding pathways, development of marketing strategies, and much more. The support is customized to each project to advance it toward implementation, where it can fill infrastructure, supply chain, or end market gaps and strengthen Michigan’s circular economy.
The cohort kicks off with an in-person two-day academy, followed by several months of virtual coaching and support, and finally culminates in a showcase where teams pitch their projects and compete for awards.
NextCycle Michigan is open to public, private, Tribal, institutional and nonprofit organizations that have projects focused on material reuse, repair, recycling, organic material recovery, or recycled/recovered material content in new products. Proposed projects must be located in and/or demonstrate potential to address materials generated in the state of Michigan.
InformationAL Meeting
Join us for a VIRTUAL information meeting, we like to call an “Application Party”. We keep the meeting casual and fun - feel free to turn on your video and unmute to join the discussion. We want to see you succeed, so bring your questions, and our program facilitators will provide the answers.
February 24 @ 12:00 pm EST: REGISTER HERE
Seeking Projects in Two Categories:
RECYCLING SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS
Businesses and private-led partnership projects that increase the diversion and recovery of recyclable or potentially recyclable, non-organic materials by focusing on gaps in the supply chain around collection, hauling, processing, or end market manufacturing using recycled content.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS:
DRURY BROTHERS INC.
Drury Brothers Inc. is a family-owned business based in Durand, Michigan. They developed a proprietary roll-off box with an internal sliding wall that eliminates the need for plastic liners, delivering both cost savings and environmental benefits. During the NextCycle Michigan program, the team made new partner connections, completed a cost analysis for mass production of the Sliding Wall Box, and developed marketing materials to attract new customers.
NOVAK APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES
Novak Applied Technologies is a Midland-based manufacturer focused on creating products from recycled glass. Through NextCycle, the team worked to increase the collection of glass to meet end market demands for their unique litterbox product. They worked with coaches to identify additional project partners, locate feedstock, understand regulatory/permitting issues, and connect with potential funding sources.
VEOLECTRA
Veolectra is a product development company located in Farmington Hills, focused on utilizing end-of-useful-life EV batteries to power portable energy stations to recharge EVs, emergency first responders, and off-grid power solutions. Through NextCycle, the team worked with coaches to refine the battery management system, understand regulatory/permitting issues, identify funding pathways, and connect with potential partners and key stakeholders.
public-led RECYCLING SOLUTIONS
Public-led programs and infrastructure solutions to accelerate recycling and composting access and services in communities. This includes inorganic and organic material collection, hauling, transfer, processing, drop-off center development, education, or other supportive programming.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS:
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Western Michigan University generates over 350,000 pounds of organic waste annually and sought diversion solutions aligned with its zero-waste and carbon neutrality goals. Through the NextCycle, the team developed a 10-year cost-benefit analysis comparing third-party hauling with an on-site in-vessel composter, including site and equipment capital needs, operating costs, and carbon impacts. This analysis enabled WMU leadership to make an informed decision on developing an on-site composting operation.
THE CITY OF HOLLAND
The City of Holland, located in Southwest Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan is working to increase access to recycling by establishing a drop-off and education center. During the NextCycle Michigan program, the team worked to understand regulatory and permitting issues, refine the business plan, identify funding pathways to build the site, and connect with potential partners.
IOSCO COUNTY
Iosco County, in the northern part of Michigan’s lower peninsula bordering Lake Huron, sought to implement a countywide recycling program with development of three strategically located drop-off sites to create improved access to recycling for paper, cardboard, plastic containers, tin cans and glass. Through NextCycle, the team worked with coaches to establish intergovernmental agreements, identify a funding path for programming, pursue contracting for services, create community education, and apply for grant funding for special recycling events.
Download information packet
The information packet details eligibility, project types, application requirements, and additional resources. Please review before you begin the online application process. Applications must be submitted through the online application portal.
Cohort Timeline
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APPLICATION DEADLINE
MAR 25, 2026
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TEAM SELECTION
APR 2026
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TEAM ONBORDING
MAY 2026
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IN-PERSON ACADEMY
MAY 27-28, 2026
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VIRTUAL COACHING & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
MAY – NOV 2026
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IN-PERSON SHOWCASE
NOV 2026
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TEAM OFFBOARDING
NOV 2026
Virtual Office Hours
Need additional assistance? Virtual office hours are available to provide one-on-one application support. Click on the NextCycle facilitator’s image below to schedule a 30-minute virtual meeting.
START YOUR APPLICATION HERE!
This is an online application process. When you click the button below, you will be sent to another website to complete the application. You can save your application and come back to complete it at a later date. Just be sure to submit by the deadline - MARCH 25, 2026, 11:59 PM ET!
Still have questions? Email us at: NextCycleMI@recycle.com