Run your own ClimAccelerator
ClimAccelerator is a global programme for start-ups to innovate, catalyse and scale the potential of their climate solutions. Our goal is to enable accelerators, incubators, innovation hubs, or any Entrepreneurship Support Organisation to run ClimAccelerators effectively. Together, we can work as a collective of actors to support entrepreneurship that tackles climate change
In the pursuit of urgent and transformative climate action, EIT Climate-KIC extends a warm invitation to visionary partners who share our commitment to reshaping the trajectory of our planet’s future. We are looking for EIT Climate-KIC partners in Europe and Asia to run ClimAccelerator programmes focused on the themes of agritech & blue economy and deep tech.
Upcoming info session: Tuesday 25 February 2025, 9:00 CET/ 16:00 SGT
Agritech & Blue Economy
Are you experienced in scaling agritech and/or blue economy start-ups? Agritech underscores the urgent need to reimagine agricultural practices in the context of a changing climate while the blue economy highlights the need to harness the potential of marine and aquatic resources responsibility, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Examples of focus areas can be found in the FAQ section below.
Deep Tech
Are you experienced with scaling deep tech start-ups? Deep tech represents a pivotal force for tackling the multifaceted challenges of climate change. This thematic initiative emphasises the transformative potential of cutting-edge science and advanced technologies in mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis. Deep tech solutions, rooted in scientific discovery and engineering breakthroughs, have the power to revolutionise how we address climate change while enhancing resilience, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Examples of focus areas can be found in the FAQ section below.
Programme Benefits
Narrative: Branding and communication materials for fundraising and positioning. Your accelerator becomes part of a bigger story powered by a globally recognised brand, in affiliation with the EU and EIT Climate-KIC.
Programme management tools, content, coaching and mentoring networks. Everything you need to successfully run your own ClimAccelerator.
We provide a comprehensive suite of services designed to measure, project, and communicate both climate and social impacts. These services are tailored to meet the needs of startups, SMEs, and the programs and investors that support them.
Access to our WeClim Equally gender-smart handbook for implementing a gender perspective in your climate accelerator programme.
No direct funding or grants from EIT Climate-KIC for the organization or execution of the programme, but we offer access to exclusive fundraising and investment opportunities and many ClimAccelerators are eligible for grant funding from external sponsors.
Join EIT Climate-KIC’s community of 400+ organisations worldwide, working towards a net-zero carbon transition.
Partner Responsobilties
As a ClimAccelerator partner, you will play a central role in fostering a community of climate entrepreneurs and ensuring impactful outcomes for the startups you support. Your responsibilities will include the following:
- Branding & Unique Programme Identity
Ensure consistent integration of the ClimAccelerator brand across all materials. Offer a standalone accelerator with a unique name and regional focus. - Geographical Scope
Partners must apply and structure their pilot programme to support startups within the same geographical area where their organization or company is located and actively present. This ensures the pilot leverages their local market knowledge and operational presence, fostering stronger initial outcomes. - Programme Timeline
Launch your programme by Q2/Q3 of 2025, with a clear roadmap of activities and milestones. - Start-Up Support
Support at least 7 climate-focused startups per batch. Startups must be regionally incorporated and aligned with local regulations. Provide tailored mentorship and resources to help them achieve climate-positive impact. - Climate Impact Reporting
Ensure startups report clear, quantifiable climate impact metrics and share these with the ClimAccelerator network for transparency. - Demo Day Event
Host a Demo Day to showcase startup progress and facilitate connections with investors and stakeholders. - Reporting & Data Sharing
Submit core data on the cohort, including key metrics and climate impact reports, contributing to the global ClimAccelerator community.
FAQ
What is the purpose of this Call for Expression of Interest?
The purpose of this Call for Expression of Interest is to find partners who can collaborate with us to run the ClimAccelerator programme across Europe and Asia. We are seeking experienced organisations that can help us scale the programme in these regions.
Who can apply?
The ClimAccelerator programme is seeking dynamic and committed organisations ready to support and accelerate climate-positive innovation. We welcome applications from a wide range of organisations and consortiums that can effectively deliver and co-fund impactful accelerator programmes. This includes, but is not limited to:
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Incubators
Entities that nurture climate innovation by providing early-stage startups with the necessary support infrastructure, resources, and guidance to build scalable solutions. -
Accelerators
Specialised organisations that offer structured programs to support early-stage climate ventures, providing mentorship, access to networks, and potential funding opportunities. -
Venture Builders
Organisations that actively co-create climate ventures by identifying market gaps and providing hands-on support to develop and launch innovative businesses. -
Universities and Research Institutions
Academic bodies and research organisations with a focus on sustainability and climate innovation, capable of offering research-backed insights, talent development, and access to cutting-edge technologies. -
Joint-Consortium Applications
We highly encourage joint proposals that bring together multiple organisations to collaborate on delivering and co-funding the ClimAccelerator program. Joint-consortium applications can harness the unique strengths, expertise, and networks of each organisation to maximise impact.
Can organisations apply as a consortium?
Yes, organiastions are welcome to apply as a consortium. In such cases, the application should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of each consortium member and demand owners and how they will collaborate/contribute to deliver the ClimAccelerator programme.
What are the main themes for this round?
Our mission is to establish unparalleled prominence by building the world’s foremost climate-focused accelerators. For this Expression of Interest round, we have selected two thematic areas for our partners: 1. agritech & blue economy and 2. deep tech.
Within agritech, various sub- sectors emerge as focal points for innovation and adaptation:
- Precision agriculture
- Regenerative farming
- Sustainable supply chains
- Climate-smart crop breeding
- Water management
- Soli health enhancement
- Renewable energy integration
- Circular economy model
Within blue economy, various sub- sectors emerge as focal points for innovation and sustainable development:
- Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Marine Renewable Energy
- Coastal Ecosystem Restoration
- Blue Carbon Initiatives
- Ocean Plastics Reduction and Recycling
- Marine Biotechnology
- Sustainable Maritime Transport
Within deep tech, various sub- sectors emerge as climate solutions: development:
- Advanced Materials for Climate Resilience
Innovations - Carbon Management and Sequestration Technologies
- Climate-focused Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Next-Generation Energy Systems
- Quantum Computing for Climate Modeling
- Biotechnology for Climate Solutions
- Advanced Sensors and IoT for Climate Monitoring
- Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
What are the main responsibilities of a ClimAccelerator partner?
See above.
Does EIT Climate-KIC provide financial support to partner organisations?
No, for this year, the ClimAccelerator does not provide financial support to partner organizations. However, selected partners will receive access to a range of resources, networking opportunities, and support from the ClimAccelerator team to effectively run the program. We are committed to ensuring that our partners have the necessary support to deliver a successful ClimAccelerator programme.
What is the ideal profile of the start-ups?
The ClimAccelerator will support startups that focus on innovative solutions to climate change. The startups need to be officially incorporated prior to the beginning of the programme. Additionally, EIT Climate-KIC and the partner will decide on specific selection criteria (such as Technology and Business Readiness Levels) based on the challenge and the needs of the programme, in each case separately.
What criteria will be used to evaluate applications?
Excellence: Clarity and pertinence of the objectives, and the extent to which the proposed work is ambitious, and goes beyond the state of the art.
Impact: Credibility of the pathways to achieve the expected outcomes and impacts
Uniqueness: The specific added value of the programme
Climate-KIC portfolio strategic fit: The evaluation of how well the proposed program aligns with and supports the strategic goals and objectives of the Climate-KIC portfolio
Financial Sustainability: Capacity to cover expenses, allocate resources effectively, and demonstrate financial preparedness for sustainable implementation.
When will the selected partners be announced?
Selected partners will be announced in early Q2 2025. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.
Branding, Climate Impact Framework and Impact Data criteria must be reported. Would you mind giving a preview of what this entails?**
Branding: We do co-branding with both brands next to each other where we together decide on the name of the ClimAccelerator (further examples here: https://climaccelerator.climate-kic.org/programmemes/)
Climate Impact Assessement: This is a standardized method that your supported startups will utilize to create a hypothesis, forecast, and actually validate and document a calculation of their climate and social impact. This methodology is a proved tool that we have been using for many years now across all programmemes. See further info here: https://impact-forecast.com
Impact Data Criteria: The data will be calculated in the Climate Impact Framework and it takes place right after the Climate Impact Hypothesis. It is a mandatory process for all of the startups and the ClimAccelerator programmeme
Would you advise if there are any ongoing efforts to raise funds for emerging/developing market programmes? Additionally, we often apply for funding proposals and I’m not sure if EIT Climate-KIC is comfortable filling in a partner intent form for such programmes?
We have a dedicated funding team focused on raising larger funds to support our entrepreneurship programmes in various parts of the world. While many conversations are ongoing, we do not want to set expectations prematurely. Additionally, we are listed as partners in the fundraising proposals of our organizers, providing letters of recommendation, fundraising materials, and participating in some discussions. Depending on the proposal, we may be named as a knowledge partner or even a delivery partner!
What do we need to pay for using this ClimAccelerator license?
For this year, you may pay a strongly-encouraged-yet-voluntary revenue share as contribution to the license of our ClimAccelerator.
To support Organisers around the world in running ClimAccelerators requires significant resources. EIT Climate-KIC is responsible for acquiring these resources and needs help from the community of ClimAccelerator Organisers . For this year, you may pay a strongly-encouraged-yet-voluntary revenue share as a contribution to the license of our ClimAccelerator.
Annual Programmeme Turnover (excluding startup grants) |
Revenue Share |
Less than €25,000 |
€0 |
Between €25.000 – €50.000 |
€2.500 |
Between €50.000 – €100.000 |
€5.000 |
Above €100.000 |
€7.500 |
What type of investors are in the ClimAccelerator Investor’s Marketplace?
Yes, there are investors from angel investors/seed-stage to advanced stages active, very diverse!
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact Alexandros Nikopoulos at alexandros.nikopoulos@climate-kic.org or climaccelerator@climate-kic.org. Our team will be happy to answer any questions and provide additional details about the ClimAccelerator programme and the Call for Expression of Interest.