Below Zero helped shape Circular Nordic’s journey into entrepreneurship

Circular Nordic began their journey in the Below Zero talent programme, where they developed the idea that would later grow into their startup. Today, they are working to advance circular solutions for pharmaceutical plastics and contribute to the transition towards more sustainable resource use.

The startup Circular Nordic originated from SDU’s talent programme, Below Zero, where the founders met as students with a shared interest in sustainability and innovation. Coming from different academic disciplines and backgrounds, they began exploring how circular principles could be translated into practical solutions with real-world impact.

At Below Zero, the team took their first steps towards shaping their idea and understanding both the challenges and opportunities within circular economy. It was here they began developing an approach to bridge producers of plastic waste with reprocessors, while gaining hands-on experience with collaboration, testing ideas and refining their direction.

For the founders, Below Zero offered an opportunity to step outside the traditional curriculum and explore new ways of learning. It created space to experiment, collaborate across disciplines and gain insights that extend beyond the classroom. Today, they continue to develop Circular Nordic and highlight the programme as a valuable starting point.

Why did you choose to apply for Below Zero?
- The answer varies depending on which of the four founding members you ask. Some of us joined because it seemed like a great opportunity to join a startup, others joined just because ‘it seemed interesting’. In any case it was an opportunity to learn something new that was outside of the regular curriculum, so that premise drew as all into the programme one way or another.

What was the most enjoyable part of participating?
- We really enjoyed the workshops hosted by actual, professional practitioners in the industry. It was interesting to hear what they were doing, and what their respective fields were doing to support climate change. There usually is not a lot of opportunities in a regular classroom to have someone other than the professor facilitating the teaching part, and we always came away with something new to talk about by the end of the day. Great way to expand your worldview and network, too.

What was the most important thing you learned during the programme?
- Public speaking and pitching. Below Zero had fantastic workshops just on how to do that, which is not something taught in the classroom. Things like how to structure a good presentation, how to make your unique presentation style work when presenting, techniques and advice that are more than just “speak louder”, and so on. It is a good skill to learn, which is transferable outside of startups and pitching.

What advice would you give to students considering applying?
- Be curious! Below Zero is an opportunity to learn how to develop a green startup, but it is not just that. You get to meet different people from different walks of life, and it is a really good chance to experience different norms outside your own bubble. Most importantly, have fun! You are there to learn, you are not expected to make the best product or business case. Take it as an opportunity to experiment doing things which you have never done before. It was great fun for us. So we hope it is fun for others too.

The responses have been provided jointly by all founders.
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