Five Years of Building Michigan’s Circular Economy

Since the first cohort in 2021, NextCycle Michigan has helped advance innovative ideas into real-world solutions that advance the circular economy. By connecting entrepreneurs, businesses, communities, and sustainability experts, the program has fostered collaboration, accelerated innovation, and supported the development of solutions designed to keep materials in use and reduce waste. As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on the achievements of our participants, partners, and supporters whose collective efforts have helped move us closer to a more resilient, resource-efficient future.

History          

Sept 2020: NCMI Program Launch

Nov 2021: First Accelerator Cohort [KH1] (Academy)

Mar 2022: First Showcase

Jul 2024 First CE Grants (application period opened)

Jun 2025: First Seed Awards (application period opened)

Jan 2025: Michigan Materials Marketplace Launch

Impact

171 Teams

21 Cohorts

$ value of showcase awards

$ value of grants awarded (CE/Seed only – not other non-ncmi EGLE grants)

Tons of materials diverted by ncmi teams

# of jobs created by ncmi teams

Highlights

Reuse https://nextcyclemichigan.com/stories/making-reuse-the-default

Food Scraps https://nextcyclemichigan.com/stories/unique-food-scraps-approaches

eWaste https://nextcyclemichigan.com/stories/hendricks-foundation-digital-divide

EV Batteries https://nextcyclemichigan.com/stories/electric-vehicles-have-arrived-amp-so-have-the-battery-recyclers

Technology https://nextcyclemichigan.com/stories/ai-robots-recycling-glacier

Infrastructure https://nextcyclemichigan.com/stories/nemcog-rural-recycling

Rural https://nextcyclemichigan.com/stories/upper-peninsula-nextcycle-michigan-teams

Acknowledgments

[image/b-roll ideas: sponsor shaking hands with team; keynote speaker at showcase]

NextCycle Michigan is successful because of valuable contributions and collaboration from individuals and organizations that understand the importance of a circular economy.

EGLE (logo)

Staff (logos - RRS, MRC, Fresh Coast, Centrepolis, )

Core Ambassadors (Doers, Essential Recycling

Sponsors (link to partners page?)

Partners (link to partners page)

Changemakers (link to Teams page)

Ways to Get Involved

Watch for application periods

  • EV Battery Accelerator: June 22 – Aug 7, 2026

  • Recycling Technology and Organic Recovery Solutions: Fall 2026

  • Public-Led and Recycling Supply Chain Solutions: Spring 2027

Attend a Showcase

  • Fall Showcase: November 2026

  • Battery Showcase: April 2027

  • Summer Showcase: June 2027

Participate in the Michigan Materials Marketplace

  • Buy/Sell/Donate surplus goods

  • Attend virtual roundtable discussions

Partner to support specific focal areas or teams or sponsor a showcase to support changemakers

  • Contact us to discuss your involvement

Share information with your network

  • Check out our media kit for the latest shareable content