Circular Business Models: Spent Substrate & By-products
Turn agricultural residues into substrate and spent mushroom substrate into revenue through compost, feed, energy and materials markets.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Circular Business Models: Spent Substrate & By-products
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mushroom Business & Entrepreneurship. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course shows how mushroom businesses can close resource loops and turn waste into value. You will apply circular economy principles to mushroom farms, source agricultural and industrial residues as substrate, understand the properties and uses of spent mushroom substrate, explore markets for compost, soil improvers and animal feed, work through regulations on waste, by-products and end-of-waste status, and design and price circular partnerships.
Mushroom cultivation already upcycles straw, sawdust, coffee grounds and other residues, but each harvest also leaves large volumes of spent substrate. Disposing of it can be a cost; selling or exchanging it can become a revenue stream or a basis for partnerships with farmers, gardeners and other industries. Doing this well requires understanding material quality, demand and the legal status of the material. The course suits growers, circular economy entrepreneurs and environmental managers. In the final project you design a circular business model for a real or case farm, mapping input and output flows, identifying partners, checking regulatory status and estimating costs and revenues of the new arrangement.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in business, useful in areas such as mushroom farming, composting and soil products, agricultural and food waste management, circular economy consultancy.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Turn agricultural residues into substrate and spent mushroom substrate into revenue through compost, feed, energy and materials markets.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Circular economy principles for mushroom farms; Sourcing agricultural and industrial residues.
- Put them into practice: Spent mushroom substrate: properties and uses; Markets for compost, soil improvers and feed.
- Apply everything to a real case: Regulations on waste, by-products and end-of-waste; Designing and pricing circular partnerships.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Map material inputs and outputs on a mushroom farm.
- Source and evaluate residues for use as substrate.
- Identify markets for spent mushroom substrate.
- Check the regulatory status of residues and by-products.
- Design and price a circular partnership between businesses.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Growers and circular economy entrepreneurs.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic knowledge of mushroom cultivation is recommended. No prior training in environmental regulation is required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Circular economy manager on a mushroom farm
- Founder of a substrate or compost business
- Business developer for by-product valorisation
- Environmental and resource manager in agri-food
- Industrial symbiosis or circular economy consultant
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Circular economy principles for mushroom farms | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Sourcing agricultural and industrial residues | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Spent mushroom substrate: properties and uses | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Markets for compost, soil improvers and feed | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Regulations on waste, by-products and end-of-waste | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Designing and pricing circular partnerships | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Circular economy concepts
- Material flows on a mushroom farm
- Spotting circular opportunities
- Mapping local residue sources
- Assessing residue quality
- Supply agreements with residue owners
- Characteristics of spent substrate
- Storage and handling
- Possible uses and limits
- Compost and growing media buyers
- Soil improvers for agriculture
- Feed and other outlets
- Waste versus by-product status
- End-of-waste criteria
- Permits and records
- Structuring circular partnerships
- Pricing and gate fees
- Measuring circular benefits
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A circular business model for a mushroom farm with material flows, partners, regulatory checks and financial estimates.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and exercises such as material flow maps and partner analyses. The final circular business model is reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Business school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $450
- Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly instalments of $90.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Circular Business Models: Spent Substrate & By-products?
Basic knowledge of mushroom cultivation is recommended. No prior training in environmental regulation is required.
How is Circular Business Models: Spent Substrate & By-products taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions and exercises such as material flow maps and partner analyses. The final circular business model is reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A circular business model for a mushroom farm with material flows, partners, regulatory checks and financial estimates.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Circular Business Models: Spent Substrate & By-products?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mushroom Business Management.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).