EIT Climate-KIC and Impact Hub to support nearly 70 start-ups in countries with low innovation performance

EIT Climate-KIC and a consortium of Impact Hubs spanning Eastern and Southern Europe announce an open call for applications for all three stages of the Beyond ClimAccelerator. This regional accelerator programme aims to make a tangible and relevant contribution towards climate change mitigation and innovation across the “Regional Innovation Scheme” (RIS) region, comprised of countries classified as “moderate and modest innovators,” based on the EU Innovation Scorecard. 

Now in its second year running, the Beyond ClimAccelerator is ready to scale a new cohort of climate innovators. The selected start-ups will experience cross-border cooperation and exchange resources, contacts and know-how, thanks to an international consortium of delivery partners.

“Our plan is to continue the success of the 2021 programme and provide start-ups with the opportunity to learn, grow and network. We look forward to supporting more than 60 innovative environmental projects with different readiness levels and accelerating these ideas to the market,” said Marek Musil, EIT Climate-KIC Consortium Lead at Impact Hub Praha.

The Beyond ClimAccelerator is designed for entities established in Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Serbia and Slovenia that are developing climate-positive solutions for water savings, climate education, zero waste, green technologies or similar.

Stage 1 is suitable for early-stage start-ups and focuses on business fundamentals. This first stage offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to define and develop their unique selling proposition and business model, participate in one-on-one coaching sessions with diverse experts and receive a grant up to 4.000 EUR.

Stage 2 is designed for start-ups with developed projects and focuses on the marketing, finance and sustainability. Entrepreneurs will have their solutions assessed and validated via the Climate  Impact Forecast, perfect their pitch and receive a grant up to 20.000 EUR.

In Stage 3, preparation for investment readiness, scaling and building collaborations are the key pillars. Established start-ups will be supported by a Venture Manager and groomed for further investment opportunities.

The 2021 Beyond ClimAccelerator supported a total of 74 start-ups with funding grants of 450.000 EUR. Hydal Coffee is one of dozens of programme graduates employing in the circular economy to minimise waste. The Czech start-up transforms processed coffee grounds into manufactured products such as soaps, hand creams, coffee oil and biological materials.

The Beyond ClimAccelerator is supported by EIT Climate-KIC and funded by EIT and Horizon Europe. It will be locally implemented in 2022 by lead partner Hub Innovation S.R.O., Bogatin D.O.O, Impact Hub Labs MKO, North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency and Impact Hub Belgrade.

 Interested candidates can submit their application until 29 July through the Beyond ClimAccelerator website.

For more questions, please contact: marek.musil@impacthub.cz

Marek Musil, Climate-KIC Consortium Lead