Cirkula – a CATAL1.5°T accelerator success story
Technology and awareness come together to tackle food waste in Peru
In the vibrant food culture of Peru, Cirkula is pioneering a change. This innovative start-up is tackling food waste through easily accessible technology, setting an inspiring example.
Cirkula shows that climate tech doesn't always have to be complicated to solve environmental challenges, but that awareness can be the key factor. With the start-up’s app, businesses can offer their surplus food to consumers, creating an impressive impact: 100,000 kg of CO2 emissions have already been saved. Michelle Gomberoff, the co-founder and CEO of Cirkula, explained to us that the challenge wasn’t developing the app, but promoting economic benefits and food quality. Awareness and impact are also the two areas where the CATAL1.5°T Initiative’s accelerator programme aids the Peruvian innovators.
An innovative solution rooted in culture
Peru is celebrated worldwide for its rich gastronomy, yet it faces a significant issue with food waste. Michelle Gomberoff realised the extent of this problem while studying abroad: “Our gastronomy, fresh foods, and vibrant markets are a vital part of our culture and economy, but the environmental impact of food waste is enormous.” This led to the launch of Cirkula, an app-based platform that helps businesses manage surplus food transparently, thereby reducing food waste.
Through the Cirkula app, consumers can buy the food directly from the restaurants and stores at discounted prices. Making the exchange profitable and easy for both sides, with payment and delivery or pick-up all being handled in-app. This way even smaller businesses can manage food waste economically. The app not only helps reduce waste but also tracks and reports on the CO2 and financial savings, creating awareness and incentive.
Making a tangible impact on climate and the food sector
Food waste is a major issue globally as well as in Latin America, with few to no regulations. The surplus mostly just goes to waste, contributing significantly to methane emissions, which are much more potent than CO2. In Peru alone, 12.8 million tons of food are wasted each year and 127 million tons in Latin America. Even donating the surplus, as some big corporations, supermarkets, and distributors do, has its regulatory challenges. Cirkula found a solution to the problem and partnered with these larger brands to manage their food surplus and create awareness and responsibility in the private sector, so they could then offer their solution to smaller businesses.
“In Latin America, environmental impact is not typically a focus of the service sector. We wanted to find a way to benefit the food sector while also promoting sustainability. Branding and positioning, working with influencers for example, were essential to our approach,” Michelle explains. Moreover, it was necessary to educate the consumers, who value fresh foods and needed to realise that rescued food is cheaper but still high in quality. The environmental impact became a bonus incentive for both. And the start-up’s app has a profound impact on climate: to date, it has saved 45,000 kg of food, reduced 100,000 kg of CO2 emissions, and saved $300,000. “Our goal is to reduce 4 million kg of food waste and 9 million kg of CO2 emissions in the next 5 years,” Michelle says.
The role of networks and community
Michelle's journey into climate tech began with overcoming initial apprehension: “At first, it was intimidating because climate tech often involves science and STEM backgrounds. However, seeing other people with business and non-scientific backgrounds in the field, especially women, motivated me.” Her background in business rather than science highlights that individual paths can lead to impactful climate solutions.
Cirkula’s story is a testament to the importance of networking and community support in tech. “Programmes like CATAL1.5°T provide the tools, awareness, and support necessary for growth. Being surrounded by other people who work on helping the planet really encourages you to do something bigger, to know that you're on the right path to significant change and not doing this alone. It creates a synergy between start-ups from different sectors as well,” she notes.
The impact of CATAL1.5°T’s support
Next to community and support, funding was of course essential at the beginning of Cirkula’s journey. Starting with smaller, but important local government grants, the start-up then applied to other programmes like the CATAL1.5°T accelerator to boost their growth. “CATAL1.5°T professionalised our ESG processes, helping us follow guidelines better and formalise our impact measurements,” Michelle explains. The accelerator programme has provided the tools and mentorship needed to refine Cirkula’s expanding operations.
This support has been especially crucial in a region where funding for climate tech companies is limited.
“The combination of mentoring, funding, and tools provided by CATAL1.5°T is significant. This collaboration has not only helped us in our growth phase to get to the next round, but hopefully will also raise more environmental awareness and inspire other entrepreneurs, programmes, and investors in our region.”
- Michelle Gomberoff, co-founder and CEO of Cirkula
Raising awareness for climate tech and sustainability
Cirkula demonstrates the potential of innovative solutions in addressing critical climate challenges by combining environmental impact with economic benefits. They transform food waste management, contributing to a greener future, and play a significant role in promoting sustainability in the food sector and public.
As Cirkula prepares for expansion into Bolivia and beyond, the role of networks and support systems remains crucial. We’re excited to support them on a part of their journey with the CATAL1.5°T accelerator programme, witnessing their continued success, raising awareness together, and inspiring other entrepreneurs and investors.
The CATAL1.5°T Initiative is funded by the international Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with EIT Climate-KIC, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P).
