Game Changer Session #3 - Unleashing Entrepreneurship: Scaling and Financing Circular SMEs

This session will explore the challenges and opportunities for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in bringing new circular technologies, business models and products to market and the enabling role that large corporations and governments can play.

Related UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • 8 Decent work and economic growth
  • 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • 12 Responsible consumption and production
  • 17 Partnerships for the goals

Bottom-up innovation is needed to scale up the circular transition. The final Game Changer Session on Day 1 will explore how SMEs can overcome barriers to financing circular innovation. The session will identify game changing actions that business owners, financial institutions, investors and policymakers can undertake to ensure SMEs are successful in conceptualizing, financing and manufacturing innovative circular products and businesses. This session will be of interest to small business owners and investors, as well as financial institutions and policymakers.

Organizers: Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, in collaboration with the African Circular Economy Alliance, Circular Economy Coalition for Latin America and the Caribbean, Circular Economy Leadership Canada, and the United Nations Environment Programme.

Register now for WCEF2021!

15:30 Keynote: SMEs as Circular Game Changers

‘How To’ Interviews with SMEs

Interview #1: Scaling Circular SMEs

  • Elisa Tonda

    Head, Consumption and Production Unit, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

  • Tom Szaky

    Tom Szaky

    Founder and CEO, TerraCycle

Interview #2: Financing Circular Innovation in SMEs

  • Tyler Hamilton

    Director, Cleantech Ecosystem, MaRS Discovery District

  • Luna Yu

    Luna Yu

    CEO, Genecis Bioindustries Inc.

Interview #3: Scaling Circular Innovation

  • Michelle Brownlee

    Director General, Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Government of Canada

  • April Crow

    April Crow

    Vice President, External Affairs, Circulate Capital

High-Level Roundtable: Accelerating the Circular SME Transition

  • Crispin Conroy

    Crispin Conroy

    Permanent Observer/Ambassador to the United Nations, Geneva, International Chamber of Commerce

  • Dr. Arab Hoballah

    Executive Director, SEED, Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development

  • Ellen MCGregor

    Ellen McGregor

    CEO, Fielding Environmental

  • Kevin Moss

    Global Director, Center for Sustainable Business World Resources Institute

  • Jan Raes

    Jan Raes

    Global Sustainability Advisor, Corporate Strategy & Sustainability, ABN AMRO Bank

Masters of Ceremonies:

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