Nextcycle Michigan Accelerator Program

NextCycle Michigan Accelerator supports projects relating to strategic gaps in Michigan’s recycled material supply chain and end markets.

Donor Name: NextCycle Michigan

State: Michigan

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Program

Deadline: 03/31/2025

Size of the Grant: Not Available

Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year

Details:

Topic areas include:

Organic Material Solutions
Technology Innovations
Programs and Infrastructure
Supply Chain Solutions

Target Solutions

Prioritized projects for this application period will focus on the following topic areas:

Supply Chain Solutions: Businesses and private entity-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 materials. Projects aligned with this topic area may include, but are not limited to:
- Development of hub and spoke collection systems or super drop-off centers
- Hauler investment in logistic efficiency
- Development of a commercial cardboard collection/dropoff program
- Collection or processing of hard-to-recycle materials like plastic film, mattresses, or glass
- Expansion of manufacturing plant to incorporate more post-consumer recycled content
- End market feedstock expansion
Programs and Infrastructure: Public sector-led solutions to accelerate recycling and composting programs and services in communities. This includes inorganic and organic material collection, hauling, transfer, processing, drop-off center development, education, or other supportive programming. Counties preparing for Michigan’s Materials Management Planning (MMP) may consider utilizing NextCycle support to kick-start efforts including navigating funding mechanisms, modeling volume and cost projections for new program development, facility siting and sizing, and other infrastructure considerations. Projects aligned with this topic area may include, but are not limited to:
- Development of publicly-owned comprehensive drop-off centers
- Regional collaboration or establishment of recycling authorities for collection program development
- Rural recycling initiatives for communities or counties
- Development of multi-family recycling programs
- Development of food scrap collection program
- Single hauler initiatives for communities or collection of communities.

Accelerator Program & Benefits

The Accelerator Program will select 16-20 projects to participate in a six-month accelerator program. The accelerator program is strategically designed to provide technical support and coaching for businesses and projects which help build a circular economy in Michigan. The program goes beyond typical business support and engages industry experts to help drive the success of viable solutions which address material related challenges. Teams accepted into the NextCycle Michigan Accelerator program will be able to advance their project through:

Pitch competition award funding.
Preparation for funding & investment.
Investor and partner connections.
One-on-one coaching.
Expert mentorship from industry leaders.
Accelerator academy.
Networking & matchmaking.
Access to data & resources.
Recognition & publicity.

Eligibility Criteria

Projects:
- Projects along the entire waste/recovery stream are eligible including upstream projects (waste reduction) and downstream projects (products using recovered wastes).
- Combustion technology, landfill technology, and waste-to energy projects are not eligible.
Teams:
- Eligible entities range from businesses, entrepreneurs, startups, university/research groups, tribal entities, non-profits, or the public-sector (local or regional government or authority) with solutions addressing targeted gaps and materials.
- A team can consist of an individual, a single company, organization, or governmental entity or may include any number of cross-sector entities. Teams are encouraged to form local and regional collaborative partnerships. Programs and Infrastructure projects must be led by a public sector entity and have at least one private, institutional or non-profit partner.
- Out-of-state or out-of-country teams are eligible, but the proposed project or venture must be located in, and directly address materials generated in the state of Michigan.
Readiness Level
- Projects/businesses that feature development of a product must be past the ideation phase and have some proof of concept and experimentation, or analysis conducted to be eligible. Public-led initiatives should demonstrate support from the community or county leadership. NextCycle Michigan can help projects with validation, demonstration, and other development strategies to bring products to market and grow projects into commercially viable enterprises.
Project Impact
- The NextCycle Michigan vision for a local circular economy is one where the local economy, businesses, and people benefit first and foremost. This program aims to provide opportunities for and engage with individuals, organizations and communities from all corners of the state.
Project Commitment
- Participants must be committed to engaging in the entire track experience. This includes an onboarding meeting upon selection to the cohort, engagement with coaches, additional follow up meetings with the project consultant team, participation in a multi-day in-person accelerator academy, preparation and participation in the pitch showcase (in person), and additional engagements as appropriate. All in-person events will be in Michigan. Specific locations will be shared during onboarding. Travel expense support for in-person events is offered to participating teams.