We’re excited to welcome 16 innovative teams as the newest cohort of the NextCycle Michigan Accelerator program! Eight teams are focused on advancing public sector recycling programs and infrastructure, while the other eight are developing recycling supply chain solutions. These teams will receive six months of operational and technical coaching, hands-on workshops, and strategic support to advance their circular economy solutions.

The accelerator program kicks off each cohort with a two-day in-person academy and culminates with a showcase event where teams pitch their projects. This cohort will take the stage in October 2025.

Meet the diverse teams working on everything from organic material diversion to e-waste management and textile recycling

2025 NEXTCYCLE MICHIGAN SUMMER SHOWCASE WINNERS

The 2025 NextCycle Michigan Summer Showcase gathered innovators and leaders at the University of Michigan Dearborn for a day of fresh ideas and impactful pitches. Seventeen teams presented creative recycling and organic material solutions.

These teams stood out with compelling presentations, a clear value proposition, and strong potential for future investment.

Thanks to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), all 17 teams walked away a winner, as each received a $5,000 Harvest Grant to continue developing their initiatives. Congratulations to all the winners, and a heartfelt thank you to every participating team and attendee for supporting Michigan’s circular economy!

Learn more about these teams and keep an eye out for Fall Showcase updates and the upcoming application round on our website.

A big THANK YOU to attendees of the NextCycle Michigan Academy on June 23-24, and the Summer Showcase on June 25, both held at the University of Michigan Dearborn. Your efforts to put food scraps, napkins, and compostables into the compost bin and paper, cardboard, plastic, and aluminum into the recycling bin (instead of the trash) helped our events divert 96% of our waste. Anything over 90% is considered a "zero-waste" event.

FUN FACT: The majority of the compostables from zero-waste events at the University of Michigan Dearborn are sent to Sanctuary Farms in Detroit (a NextCycle Michigan alum) or to Spurt Industries in Wixom.

• July 31, 2025 – Submit Your Seed Awards Application by July 31: The Seed Award application deadline is fast approaching! Don’t miss the opportunity to secure up to $10,000 in funds to support early-stage projects that keep valuable materials out of Michigan landfills. Learn more and apply online.

• August 20, 2025 – Register for the Michigan Materials Marketplace Virtual Roundtable on Electronic Reuse: Connect with leaders in tech reuse, explore ways to close Michigan’s digital divide, and discuss actionable strategies for e-waste at the FREE virtual roundtable. Register for the event.

• November 6-7, 2025 – Save the Date for the 2025 Michigan Sustainability Conference (MISCON) in Grand Rapids: Attend Michigan’s one-of-a-kind event for sustainability professionals, environmental staff, and community leaders. This year’s conference will focus on food waste reduction and diversion. Registration opens August 3. Learn more about the event.