Circular Economy
Challenge Hub
Where problems meet possibility
The Circular Economy Challenge Hub is a collaborative thinktank powered by CELL. A space where businesses, councils, researchers, and innovators come together to tackle real-world challenges with circular solutions.
Here, companies can anonymously post the issues they face, from waste reduction and product redesign to new material uses, and CELL activates a network of multidisciplinary problem-solvers to co-create bold, practical, and circular solutions.
About the Circular Economy Challenge Hub
Where industry challenges meet circular innovation
The Circular Economy Challenge Thinktank, powered by CELL, is a collaborative space designed to bridge business, industry, government, research, and community through real-world problem-solving. It transforms the way we approach complex challenges. Shifting from linear thinking toward systems-based, regenerative solutions that work for people, planet, and prosperity.
Here, companies, councils, and organisations can post circular economy challenges. From difficult-to-recycle materials and supply chain inefficiencies to opportunities for product redesign or resource recovery. CELL then activates its growing network of innovators, researchers, students, startups, and multidisciplinary thinkers to explore new ideas, co-create solutions, and identify circular pathways that deliver impact.
This is not a competition it’s a collaborative innovation engine. Each challenge becomes an opportunity to learn, prototype, and scale ideas that reduce waste, regenerate resources, and create economic value in new ways. By connecting diverse minds, CELL cultivates a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and practical experimentation that accelerates circular change across Lake Macquarie, the Hunter and beyond.
Whether you’re a business with a problem to solve or a creative thinker ready to contribute, the Circular Economy Challenge Thinktank invites you to rethink the possible, together.
By connecting industry needs with creative thinkers, we redirect problem-solving away from linear, conventional methods and toward systems-thinking, regeneration, and solutions that benefit people, planet, and prosperity.
Join the challenge. Share your problem. Shape the future of circular design and innovation.
Circular Economy Opportunities and Challenges
The Circular Economy Challenge Hub connects real circular economy challenges and opportunities with people who can help solve them.
Explore opportunities for collaboration, innovation, research and industry partnerships.
From material reuse and resource recovery to circular procurement, product development and new business models.
Get involved and help turn circular economy challenges into practical outcomes, click the accordion for current opportunities and challenges.
Have an idea, capability or solution that could help?
Fill out the form today for your own challenge or opportunity.
Opportunity: Circular Economy Team Formation
Thursday 17 September, 4:00–6:00pm
I2N Hub Honeysuckle, Q Building, 16 Honeysuckle Drive
Turn up on your own. Leave with a team, and probably an idea too. It’s a room of people who want to enter the Circular Economy Grand Challenge and are looking for the right people to do it with.
Already have a team? Come anyway. Teams can be up to five, so a pair can leave as a four. And if you’re short a skill, whether that’s someone who can build it or someone who knows the industry, this is where you find them.
You don’t need a background in sustainability, business or engineering. Last year’s funded teams came from right across the university and community, and none of them had run a startup before.
Applications close ten days later, Sunday 27 September, 5:00pm.
Up to $10,000 per team to build and test your idea over six months with the University of Newcastle i2N program.
