Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking
HUB Murcia-Start
HUB Murcia-Start: Accelerating the Circular Economy in Murcia
HUB Murcia-Start is transforming Murcia into a hub for circular innovation, empowering startups and SMEs to embrace sustainable business models. With an innovation HUB, the Entrepreneurial Commercial Area (ACE1), and Circular Project Calls, it drives resource reuse, responsible consumption, and global expansion. Dynamic events like "Ecoday" and "Circular Challenges" with CETENMA spark creativity and action, connecting Murcia’s businesses to the future of the circular economy.
Spain
Local
Murcia
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
2024-12-31
No
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
HUB Murcia-Start accelerates the circular economy and sustainable entrepreneurship, fostering a more resilient and responsible industrial ecosystem. Since its launch in 2022, it has developed a comprehensive strategy based on three pillars: the HUB Murcia-Start Circular Economy accelerator, which supports startups and SMEs with training, mentoring, and access to networks like CETENMA (Technological Center for Energy and Environment) and AEMA; the Área Comercial Emprendedora (ACE1), a 148 m² space in central Murcia where entrepreneurs test sustainable products before scaling their businesses; and the Circular Project Calls, annual competitions selecting innovative circular economy proposals, providing technical support, visibility, and internationalization opportunities. Key activities such as "Ecoday" with AEMA and the "Circular Challenges" with CETENMA strengthen collaboration, while winners of the 2023 and 2024 editions gain immersive experiences in Brussels. The HUB’s impact is evident in the acceleration of 26 projects, the creation of green jobs, and the reinforcement of local economic sectors like regenerative fashion, biotechnology, and sustainable mobility. Aligned with the values of the New European Bauhaus, the project integrates sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion by providing an inspiring physical space, promoting responsible consumption, and enabling participation from diverse communities. By repurposing urban spaces and fostering innovative business models, HUB Murcia-Start contributes to tackling local challenges such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and social inclusion, ensuring a long-term positive impact on Murcia’s economy and quality of life.
Eco-entrepreneurship
Circularity
Innovahub
Reuse
Green Transition
HUB Murcia-Start integrates sustainability at its core by aligning with the European Green Deal and promoting a circular economy model that balances environmental, social, and economic priorities. The project fosters resource reuse by accelerating startups that incorporate recycled materials, factory surplus, and circular production processes, significantly reducing industrial waste. By prioritizing local sourcing, it minimizes carbon emissions associated with transportation, reinforcing short supply chains and reducing environmental impact. Additionally, the initiative extends the life cycle of products, emphasizing designs that are durable, repairable, and reusable to prevent premature obsolescence. Community engagement plays a crucial role, with initiatives like the Ecoday, where workshops and public events raise awareness about circular practices, responsible consumption, and efficient resource management. HUB Murcia-Start sets an exemplary precedent by demonstrating that cities can foster green entrepreneurship while reducing waste, emissions, and overconsumption. The model is scalable and adaptable, offering municipalities a replicable framework to strengthen local resilience and advance circular economy principles through business innovation, education, and cross-sector collaboration.
HUB Murcia-Start enhances Murcia’s urban aesthetics by integrating sustainable design, regenerative craftsmanship, and immersive cultural experiences, fostering a vibrant ecosystem where circularity and creativity converge. Through the ACE1 commercial space, the project showcases unique, eco-conscious products crafted from recycled materials, including kokedamas, resin-based jewelry, and regenerative fashion, transforming waste into high-quality, aesthetically appealing goods. This fusion of sustainability and artistry not only strengthens the local economy but also redefines urban retail, offering an engaging and visually compelling shopping experience. The initiative goes beyond commerce, incorporating urban interventions that merge ecological principles with contemporary design, creating a visually dynamic and culturally rich space. Interactive workshops on sustainable design, curated exhibitions, and showcooking experiences further enhance public engagement, inviting citizens to explore innovative approaches to art, consumption, and responsible production. By blending tradition with forward-thinking aesthetics, HUB Murcia-Start revitalizes the city's creative identity, setting an exemplary model for integrating circular economy principles into urban culture. This initiative not only elevates the aesthetic quality of public spaces but also fosters a deeper appreciation for sustainable craftsmanship, proving that circular innovation can be both functional and beautiful.
HUB Murcia-Start places inclusion at the core of its mission, ensuring that sustainability-driven entrepreneurship is accessible to all, regardless of background or resources. Its open call process welcomes any entrepreneur with circular economy ideas, providing a platform for individuals at different stages of their professional journey, from early-stage innovators to experienced small businesses looking to transition towards sustainability. The program actively supports vulnerable groups, prioritizing projects that generate employment and opportunities for women, young entrepreneurs, and individuals at risk of social exclusion, reinforcing the social dimension of circularity.
Through ACE1, an inclusive retail space, HUB Murcia-Start promotes affordable, sustainable products, ensuring that eco-friendly consumption is not a luxury but an accessible choice for all. By integrating sustainability with economic inclusivity, the project fosters social cohesion, allowing local businesses, communities, and consumers to engage in a more responsible and equitable economic model.
Additionally, HUB Murcia-Start facilitates mentoring and capacity-building programs tailored to diverse participants, providing training and support in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and sustainable business models. By reducing entry barriers and fostering an ecosystem where businesses and consumers alike can thrive, the initiative creates a replicable model for inclusive and community-driven circular innovation. Through these efforts, HUB Murcia-Start ensures that the green transition benefits society as a whole, proving that sustainability and inclusivity can go hand in hand to shape a fairer, more resilient economy.
Through ACE1, an inclusive retail space, HUB Murcia-Start promotes affordable, sustainable products, ensuring that eco-friendly consumption is not a luxury but an accessible choice for all. By integrating sustainability with economic inclusivity, the project fosters social cohesion, allowing local businesses, communities, and consumers to engage in a more responsible and equitable economic model.
Additionally, HUB Murcia-Start facilitates mentoring and capacity-building programs tailored to diverse participants, providing training and support in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and sustainable business models. By reducing entry barriers and fostering an ecosystem where businesses and consumers alike can thrive, the initiative creates a replicable model for inclusive and community-driven circular innovation. Through these efforts, HUB Murcia-Start ensures that the green transition benefits society as a whole, proving that sustainability and inclusivity can go hand in hand to shape a fairer, more resilient economy.
HUB Murcia-Start ensures active citizen engagement throughout its development, fostering a participatory approach that connects entrepreneurs, local authorities, and the community in building a sustainable economic ecosystem. The project empowers citizens as co-creators, integrating their feedback and involvement in key stages to ensure that circular solutions align with real needs and aspirations.
Public participation begins with open calls for circular projects, widely promoted through social media, municipal platforms, and local networks. This accessibility encourages a broad and diverse range of applicants, ensuring that anyone with a viable circular idea can contribute to Murcia’s transition towards sustainability.
The project further strengthens community engagement through interactive events like the annual "Ecoday," where citizens explore and validate sustainable products while learning about circular solutions. These public-facing events build environmental awareness, encourage responsible consumption, and provide real-time market feedback for startups testing their innovations.
To maintain transparency and inclusivity, HUB Murcia-Start employs a multidisciplinary jury, featuring representatives from AJE, CETENMA, and local development agencies. This diverse panel ensures that project selection aligns with economic, environmental, and social impact criteria, reinforcing fairness and credibility in decision-making.
Through these mechanisms, HUB Murcia-Start creates a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem, where civil society is not just a passive beneficiary but an active participant in shaping Murcia’s sustainable future. By fostering this collaboration between local government, businesses, and citizens, the project strengthens collective responsibility and community-driven innovation, making circular economy principles more accessible and actionable for all.
Public participation begins with open calls for circular projects, widely promoted through social media, municipal platforms, and local networks. This accessibility encourages a broad and diverse range of applicants, ensuring that anyone with a viable circular idea can contribute to Murcia’s transition towards sustainability.
The project further strengthens community engagement through interactive events like the annual "Ecoday," where citizens explore and validate sustainable products while learning about circular solutions. These public-facing events build environmental awareness, encourage responsible consumption, and provide real-time market feedback for startups testing their innovations.
To maintain transparency and inclusivity, HUB Murcia-Start employs a multidisciplinary jury, featuring representatives from AJE, CETENMA, and local development agencies. This diverse panel ensures that project selection aligns with economic, environmental, and social impact criteria, reinforcing fairness and credibility in decision-making.
Through these mechanisms, HUB Murcia-Start creates a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem, where civil society is not just a passive beneficiary but an active participant in shaping Murcia’s sustainable future. By fostering this collaboration between local government, businesses, and citizens, the project strengthens collective responsibility and community-driven innovation, making circular economy principles more accessible and actionable for all.
HUB Murcia-Start fosters multi-level collaboration, engaging stakeholders across governance levels to drive circular economy solutions. By integrating diverse expertise, it creates an innovation ecosystem where sustainability, entrepreneurship, and design converge for lasting impact.
At the local level, the Murcia City Council plays a central role in coordinating the initiative, providing strategic oversight, infrastructure, and funding. Local business associations such as AJE and AMUSAL contribute by offering mentoring, training, and market access to entrepreneurs, ensuring their ideas develop into viable business models. Additionally, local designers and artisans participate in the program, integrating circular principles into fashion, product design, and crafts, reinforcing Murcia’s creative economy.
At the regional level, CETENMA supports the project by advising startups on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable materials management. This ensures that circular business models align with technical feasibility and best environmental practices, making them scalable and replicable.
At the national level, the initiative aligns with Spain’s broader circular economy policies, contributing to sustainable economic transformation goals set under national strategies. By promoting Murcia-Start as a model, the project aims to inspire similar initiatives across Spain.
At the European level, the project follows the guidelines of the NEB and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, ensuring alignment with EU-wide sustainability goals. The international Brussels Immersion Program further connects Murcia-based startups with European networks, policymakers, and potential investors, expanding opportunities for collaboration and growth.
HUB Murcia-Start strengthens circular economy solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration, creating a scalable model for cities transitioning to sustainable and regenerative systems.
At the local level, the Murcia City Council plays a central role in coordinating the initiative, providing strategic oversight, infrastructure, and funding. Local business associations such as AJE and AMUSAL contribute by offering mentoring, training, and market access to entrepreneurs, ensuring their ideas develop into viable business models. Additionally, local designers and artisans participate in the program, integrating circular principles into fashion, product design, and crafts, reinforcing Murcia’s creative economy.
At the regional level, CETENMA supports the project by advising startups on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable materials management. This ensures that circular business models align with technical feasibility and best environmental practices, making them scalable and replicable.
At the national level, the initiative aligns with Spain’s broader circular economy policies, contributing to sustainable economic transformation goals set under national strategies. By promoting Murcia-Start as a model, the project aims to inspire similar initiatives across Spain.
At the European level, the project follows the guidelines of the NEB and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, ensuring alignment with EU-wide sustainability goals. The international Brussels Immersion Program further connects Murcia-based startups with European networks, policymakers, and potential investors, expanding opportunities for collaboration and growth.
HUB Murcia-Start strengthens circular economy solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration, creating a scalable model for cities transitioning to sustainable and regenerative systems.
HUB Murcia-Start integrates multiple disciplines, fostering collaboration among experts in engineering, environmental science, business, and design to drive sustainable innovation. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that circular economy solutions are both technically viable and economically scalable while maintaining a strong cultural and aesthetic impact.
In the field of engineering and environmental science, CETENMA plays a key role in guiding startups on energy efficiency, waste management, and the use of sustainable materials. By incorporating expertise in resource optimization and environmental impact reduction, businesses gain the technical knowledge needed to develop viable, scalable circular solutions.
The business and economic sector is represented by AJE (Association of Young Entrepreneurs) and AMUSAL, which provide training, mentorship, and market access to entrepreneurs. Their expertise ensures that startups not only innovate sustainably but also develop strong, competitive business models that align with market needs and financing opportunities.
The project also incorporates design and craftsmanship, as local creators apply circular principles to fashion, product design, and artisanal production. This collaboration enhances regenerative fashion, upcycled product design, and sustainable manufacturing, promoting circularity as a cultural and creative movement in Murcia’s economy.
By bringing together technical, economic, and creative disciplines, HUB Murcia-Start fosters cross-sectoral innovation, ensuring circular businesses are feasible, attractive, and impactful. This collaborative model strengthens the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, creating a replicable framework for cities looking to accelerate their transition toward a regenerative and circular economy.
In the field of engineering and environmental science, CETENMA plays a key role in guiding startups on energy efficiency, waste management, and the use of sustainable materials. By incorporating expertise in resource optimization and environmental impact reduction, businesses gain the technical knowledge needed to develop viable, scalable circular solutions.
The business and economic sector is represented by AJE (Association of Young Entrepreneurs) and AMUSAL, which provide training, mentorship, and market access to entrepreneurs. Their expertise ensures that startups not only innovate sustainably but also develop strong, competitive business models that align with market needs and financing opportunities.
The project also incorporates design and craftsmanship, as local creators apply circular principles to fashion, product design, and artisanal production. This collaboration enhances regenerative fashion, upcycled product design, and sustainable manufacturing, promoting circularity as a cultural and creative movement in Murcia’s economy.
By bringing together technical, economic, and creative disciplines, HUB Murcia-Start fosters cross-sectoral innovation, ensuring circular businesses are feasible, attractive, and impactful. This collaborative model strengthens the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, creating a replicable framework for cities looking to accelerate their transition toward a regenerative and circular economy.
HUB Murcia-Start stands out for its innovative approach, redefining how cities foster circular entrepreneurship through a specialized incubation model, international outreach, and agile methodologies. Unlike traditional business accelerators, the program is exclusively tailored to startups and SMEs developing circular economy solutions, ensuring focused mentorship and industry-specific support.
A key differentiating factor is the project’s internationalization strategy, which offers selected entrepreneurs an immersion experience in Brussels, connecting them with EU networks, policymakers, and potential investors. This exposure enhances market expansion opportunities and strengthens Murcia’s position within the European circular economy ecosystem.
The program’s agility is another defining element, implementing a fast-track, hands-on methodology that combines intensive training cycles, rapid prototyping, and real-world validation through Murcia’s Entrepreneurial Commercial Area (ACE1). This iterative process enables startups to refine their products, ensuring feasibility and scalability before full market entry.
By integrating circular economy principles with entrepreneurial acceleration and global networking, HUB Murcia-Start creates a replicable and scalable framework, positioning Murcia as a pioneer in fostering sustainable business models. This multi-dimensional approach ensures that economic growth and sustainability progress together, setting a new benchmark for urban circular innovation.
A key differentiating factor is the project’s internationalization strategy, which offers selected entrepreneurs an immersion experience in Brussels, connecting them with EU networks, policymakers, and potential investors. This exposure enhances market expansion opportunities and strengthens Murcia’s position within the European circular economy ecosystem.
The program’s agility is another defining element, implementing a fast-track, hands-on methodology that combines intensive training cycles, rapid prototyping, and real-world validation through Murcia’s Entrepreneurial Commercial Area (ACE1). This iterative process enables startups to refine their products, ensuring feasibility and scalability before full market entry.
By integrating circular economy principles with entrepreneurial acceleration and global networking, HUB Murcia-Start creates a replicable and scalable framework, positioning Murcia as a pioneer in fostering sustainable business models. This multi-dimensional approach ensures that economic growth and sustainability progress together, setting a new benchmark for urban circular innovation.
HUB Murcia-Start employs an agile and results-driven methodology structured in five key phases, ensuring a progressive and adaptable approach to circular entrepreneurship. This framework maximizes the potential of startups and SMEs, guiding them from ideation to market validation while fostering long-term sustainability and growth. The process begins with project selection through open calls, where proposals are assessed based on innovation, feasibility, and alignment with circular economy principles. This ensures that only the most promising and impactful initiatives enter the acceleration program. In the acceleration phase, selected startups participate in mentoring sessions, workshops, and intensive training at the CIM-M (Municipal Initiatives Center Murcia), where they receive specialized guidance on business development, sustainable practices, and financial strategy. Following this, participants enter the commercial validation stage, where they test their products and services at the Entrepreneurial Commercial Area (ACE1). This real-market environment allows for immediate feedback from consumers, helping refine business models and ensure market readiness. Networking plays a crucial role, with industry meetups, expert-led discussions, and collaboration opportunities designed to build strategic partnerships. Through events such as the “Ecoday” and collaborations with CETENMA and AJE, startups engage with corporate leaders, investors, and policy influencers, expanding their market reach and knowledge base. Finally, continuous monitoring and evaluation enable startups to track performance, measure impact, and adapt their strategies. Data-driven insights support ongoing improvement, ensuring that solutions remain effective, scalable, and aligned with circular economy goals. By combining agile iteration, ecosystem integration, and hands-on validation, HUB M-Start sets a replicable model for cities aiming to transition towards a circular and innovation-driven economy.
The HUB Murcia-Start model is highly scalable and transferable, making it adaptable to other regions aiming to foster circular economy entrepreneurship. Its modular structure and flexible methodology allow cities to implement similar initiatives by leveraging existing resources and partnerships.
Its replicability is based on several key elements:
Flexible structure: The Circular Project Calls framework can be applied in other cities with coworking spaces, incubation programs, or local fairs, providing an adaptable platform for circular business development.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration: The public-private approach, which involves business associations and technological centers such as CETENMA, can be adjusted to different regional contexts, ensuring strong industry and institutional support.
Transferable training tools: Workshops on circular economy strategies, waste management, and green marketing can be replicated across various territories to build local capacity and awareness.
Sustainable craftsmanship promotion: The project serves as a model to revitalize local commerce through sustainability-driven business models, demonstrating how circular principles can strengthen traditional industries.
This approach is particularly suitable for mid-sized cities seeking to stimulate entrepreneurship and industrial innovation while fostering a regenerative economic model.
Its replicability is based on several key elements:
Flexible structure: The Circular Project Calls framework can be applied in other cities with coworking spaces, incubation programs, or local fairs, providing an adaptable platform for circular business development.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration: The public-private approach, which involves business associations and technological centers such as CETENMA, can be adjusted to different regional contexts, ensuring strong industry and institutional support.
Transferable training tools: Workshops on circular economy strategies, waste management, and green marketing can be replicated across various territories to build local capacity and awareness.
Sustainable craftsmanship promotion: The project serves as a model to revitalize local commerce through sustainability-driven business models, demonstrating how circular principles can strengthen traditional industries.
This approach is particularly suitable for mid-sized cities seeking to stimulate entrepreneurship and industrial innovation while fostering a regenerative economic model.
HUB Murcia-Start addresses global challenges through local solutions, demonstrating how circular economy principles can drive sustainable development while fostering economic resilience and social equity. The project aligns with the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a replicable model for cities facing similar issues.
Key challenges tackled include:
Climate change mitigation: By supporting local production and proximity-based consumption, the project reduces CO₂ emissions associated with long supply chains, fostering a low-carbon economy.
Environmental degradation: Circular business models promoted through the HUB focus on waste reduction, material reuse, and sustainable product design, minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.
Economic inequality: The project creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and vulnerable groups, providing green jobs and reducing social disparities by making sustainable business models more accessible.
Unsustainable consumption patterns: Through educational programs, product redesign, and resource reuse initiatives, HUB Murcia-Start raises awareness and encourages responsible consumption, shifting mindsets towards a more sustainable economy.
By integrating local entrepreneurship, innovation, and circular economy principles, the project provides scalable, long-term solutions to some of the most pressing global sustainability challenges.
Key challenges tackled include:
Climate change mitigation: By supporting local production and proximity-based consumption, the project reduces CO₂ emissions associated with long supply chains, fostering a low-carbon economy.
Environmental degradation: Circular business models promoted through the HUB focus on waste reduction, material reuse, and sustainable product design, minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.
Economic inequality: The project creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and vulnerable groups, providing green jobs and reducing social disparities by making sustainable business models more accessible.
Unsustainable consumption patterns: Through educational programs, product redesign, and resource reuse initiatives, HUB Murcia-Start raises awareness and encourages responsible consumption, shifting mindsets towards a more sustainable economy.
By integrating local entrepreneurship, innovation, and circular economy principles, the project provides scalable, long-term solutions to some of the most pressing global sustainability challenges.
Since its launch in 2022, HUB Murcia-Start has generated significant and measurable impacts, strengthening the circular economy ecosystem in Murcia and positioning the city as a regional leader in sustainable entrepreneurship. Through its comprehensive support structure, the project has successfully accelerated innovative startups, fostered job creation, and promoted sustainable economic growth.
Key outcomes include:
A consolidated ecosystem: 26 circular economy projects have participated in the program, with an 80% success rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of the incubation model.
Job creation: More than 40 direct green jobs have been generated through the accelerated projects, contributing to local employment and economic resilience.
Increased revenue and market traction: Participating startups have reported a 39% growth in sales, while the ACE1 commercial space has seen a 79% increase in visitors between 2023 and 2024, proving the market demand for sustainable products.
Cultural transformation: Awareness campaigns such as Ecoday have enhanced public engagement with circular economy principles, fostering a more responsible consumption culture.
International expansion: Selected startups have participated in immersion programs in Brussels, connecting with European circular economy networks, investors, and policymakers, expanding their market potential.
These tangible results reinforce Murcia’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and circular economic model that promotes innovation, social cohesion, and long-term sustainable development
Key outcomes include:
A consolidated ecosystem: 26 circular economy projects have participated in the program, with an 80% success rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of the incubation model.
Job creation: More than 40 direct green jobs have been generated through the accelerated projects, contributing to local employment and economic resilience.
Increased revenue and market traction: Participating startups have reported a 39% growth in sales, while the ACE1 commercial space has seen a 79% increase in visitors between 2023 and 2024, proving the market demand for sustainable products.
Cultural transformation: Awareness campaigns such as Ecoday have enhanced public engagement with circular economy principles, fostering a more responsible consumption culture.
International expansion: Selected startups have participated in immersion programs in Brussels, connecting with European circular economy networks, investors, and policymakers, expanding their market potential.
These tangible results reinforce Murcia’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and circular economic model that promotes innovation, social cohesion, and long-term sustainable development
