In a context marked by environmental challenges and the urgency for sustainable innovation, circular start-ups (CSUs) are recognised for their ability to drive organisational, cultural, and systemic change through adaptive and collaborative approaches. This research examines the crucial function of CSUs in promoting sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems (SEEs) through an exploratory multiple case study analysis of Italian start-ups across several sectors. Empirical evidence was obtained mainly through primary data, while additional secondary sources were included to strengthen the contextual reliability of the study. The findings reveal that CSUs operate as dynamic agents capable of shaping open yet cohesive networks, leveraging digital technologies, and integrating sustainability principles across value chains. By employing self-organising structures, fostering cross-sectoral collaborations, and adhering to circular economy principles, these start-ups facilitate the dissemination of revolutionary business strategies and the evolution of entrepreneurial ecosystems into more resilient, inclusive, and regenerative systems.
Cerchione et al. (2026) studied this question.