Circulayo raises £500,000 to scale reusable packaging software

What's the deal? Derby-based software firm CirculayoDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has raised £500,000 (≈$660,355) in a round led by Minerva Business AngelsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with participation from cleantech investor ProvaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.

What does it do? Circulayo builds connected reuse systems that handle packaging returns for the hospitality sector. Its Tap & Return platform keeps single-use plastic drinks containers out of landfill and is already in stadiums, sports arenas, and event spaces nationwide.

The numbers: Since 2021, Circulayo's platforms have hit a 95% average return rate and enabled reuse of more than 1.6 million food and drink containers. That equates to over 32 tonnes of single-use plastic diverted from landfill and more than 85 tonnes of CO2e emissions saved.

The company also runs Flow Platform, B2B tracking software that follows food and beverage containers across their full lifecycle.

What's the money for? Chief executive officer and co-founder Andy Flinn said the funding will help Circulayo "expand our platforms, develop new commercial partnerships and take our technology into new markets."

Why Prova? The investment adds to Prova's portfolio of early-stage cleantech and circular economy businesses. Founder Richard Postins said "reliable tracking, traceability and customer convenience are critical for businesses looking to adopt circular economy practices."

The signal: Reusable packaging is drawing investor interest as hospitality venues face pressure to cut single-use plastic. Circulayo's bet is that measurable, trackable reuse — not just recycling — is what makes the circular economy work at scale.

Read more: eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk

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