In conversation with Amcor Lift-Off winner circolution: Part II

Frank Lehmann (FL): As a winner of Amcor Lift-Off, Amcor will be providing circolution with US $250,000 in funding. How helpful is this and what is this investment going to help you achieve?

Alessandro Marchiaro (AM): It’s certainly very helpful. We have several key focuses and despite our growing operations and market entry plans, my main priority right now is to actively seek purpose-driven investors to close our seed round. In this context, I’m sure you can see why the Lift-Off funding was very welcome.

It’s really invaluable to us. It will enable us to scale our production capacity even further, expand the team with key hires, and invest in software development – a crucial component of our solution.

Additionally, it's also worth mentioning that, as a material agnostic company, we are already working on expanding our reusable packaging portfolio since we will be introducing various packaging modules in different shapes, sizes and materials to serve the diverse needs of food producers and food products.

FL: For us, what is interesting about your innovation is that you're in the space of reusable packaging for food packaging. What are your next key milestones? What will you aim to achieve in the coming months?

AM: Our main focus is to provide consumers with a more sustainable option to single-use packaging and our ultimate goal is to make reusable packaging as affordable and convenient as single-use items while scaling reuse globally. At a later stage, we’ll also be looking at expanding beyond food packaging.

FL: Do you think that we – as an industry – are in the position to crack that problem and achieve systemic change by scaling reusable packaging?

AM: Achieving systemic change and fighting packaging waste is a complex and long-term goal that cannot be accomplished overnight. The problem of packaging waste is, unfortunately, deeply rooted in our society, and it will take time, effort and collaboration to achieve meaningful and lasting change. No single company can manage this massive change alone, that's why at circolution we've built a coalition of leading partners needed to make the switch to reusable.

FL: Let's maybe speak a bit more about yourself. Setting up a company like circolution requires a lot of drive and conviction. What drove you to start the circolution endeavor?

AM: Being a start-up founder and an entrepreneur is not an easy task. There are numerous challenges and obstacles that one will face along the way, especially at an early stage where you have to wear multiple hats and juggle multiple responsibilities.

But despite these challenges, it can also be incredibly rewarding. It has provided me with an opportunity to follow my passion, create something meaningful, and most importantly make a positive impact on the world.

Seeing your vision come to life and making a difference in people's lives can be a truly fulfilling experience. That's exactly what drove me to start circolution and why I'm fully committed to achieving our ambitious vision.

FL: Thank you, Alessandro, that's extremely insightful and we are looking forward to working together on that endeavor. Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share?

AM: I truly believe that achieving systemic change is possible and that together we can create a more sustainable future.

If you would like to take an active role in our journey, support our efforts, or simply learn more about what we're doing, please reach out and let's work together towards a greener future.

Read more about circolution’s success as a winner in the Amcor Lift-Off program , and for further insights on circolution read part one of our Q&A with Alessandro Marchiaro.