ClimAccelerator calls on entrepreneurs to scale solutions for a net-zero Africa

Nairobi, 12 October. Africa ClimAccelerator has launched a call to local entrepreneurs to access funding, expertise, and mentorship via the first African-wide accelerator focused on scaling the most promising climate-focused innovations. The programme aims to enhance the development and deployment of innovative technology to accelerate climate-positive business solutions for a net-zero Africa.

Partner organisations GrowthAfrica and Carbon Trust are seeking 15 start-ups to participate in the Africa ClimAccelerator which is supported by the Climate-KIC International Foundation and funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (‘GIZ’) exclusively on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (‘BMZ’).

“Climate change is among Africa’s greatest challenges that can be solved through innovation and building market appropriate solutions towards realising the continent’s climate goals. The collaborative [ClimAccelerator] programme shares in our mission to grow the scope of business success in Africa, and we are energised to be working with climate-focused ventures,” said Ian Lorenzen, Executive Director and Partner at GrowthAfrica.

Africa ClimAccelerator will run from November 2021 to April 2022, targeting early-stage businesses from across the continent, and that prioritise enhancing sustainability as part of their mission and growth.

“The Carbon Trust is excited to be working with promising entrepreneurs from across Africa, seeking to overcome market barriers and accelerate clean technologies. We look forward to working closely with Climate-KIC and GrowthAfrica, bringing together decades of experience in climate innovation and business scaling for this programme,” said David Aitken, Director of Innovation at Carbon Trust.

The call is open to a variety of sectors such as land use, circular economy, blue economy, energy efficiency, and more, to support the continent in catalysing systemic change.

The six-month programme offers specialised business knowledge and expertise, bespoke tools to measure climate and social impact, and up to EUR 12,000 of grant funding. Applications will be accepted from now until 7 November 2021 on the website www.africaclimaccelerator.com

Information for Applicants:

Eligibility criteria

• Developing a transformative climate solution in the themes of land use, circular economy, blue economy, energy efficiency or other climate themes such as renewable energy, transport, agriculture, buildings, and industry.
• Registered or plan to register (by end of the program) in any African country
• Proof of concept exists, (ideally) with a proven need for the solution, main pain points mapped, feedback/ validations already received from potential customers, a tested prototype/minimum viable product created, and a roadmap designed.
• Have a minimum 2 members with one being full-time on the business/ project.
• The team/start-up should be committed to participate in the programme activities.
• The team/start-up is expected to work in an English-speaking environment.

Why join?

• Maximise your climate and social impact
• Access to specialised business knowledge and expertise
• Access a network of business and technical mentors
• Peer-to-peer learning
• Connect with investors
• Funding support
• Join a growing community

About the Climate-KIC International Foundation
The object of the Foundation is to contribute in the broadest possible sense to the protection of nature and the environment, including the enhancement of sustainability, in aid of the common good, both ecological and human, by way of innovation of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and by stimulation of education and research in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to do anything which is, in the widest sense of the word, connected with or may be conducive to the attainment of this object. The Foundation’s entrepreneurship portfolio covers the development pipeline that starts at the activation and ideation stages and offers innovators the opportunity to incubate solutions into successful climate-positive start-ups.
For more info: https://www.climatekicfoundation.org/about

About ClimAccelerator
ClimAccelerator is the main climate innovation solution provider in Europe with a 10-year track record, with over 1,500 solutions supported and nearly €1 billion of capital secured.
For more info: https://climaccelerator.climate-kic.org

About the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (‘GIZ’)
GIZ is Germany’s leading provider of international cooperation services. As a federal enterprise, it supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ is fully owned by the Federal Republic of Germany, represented as the shareholder by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF). GIZ has more than 23,600 staff around the globe and operates in about 120 countries worldwide and has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security.
For more info: https://www.giz.de/

About GrowthAfrica
GrowthAfrica is a leading African accelerator and advisory firm delivering growth activities programmes for impactful African ventures. GrowthAfrica provides business growth programs for high-potential entrepreneurs as well as design and delivers activities for partners and clients in support of entrepreneurs. GrowthAfrica has offices in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Malawi, and Ghana.
For more info: https://www.growthafrica.com

About The Carbon Trust
Established in 2001, the Carbon Trust works with businesses, governments, and institutions around the world, helping them contribute to, and benefit from, a more sustainable future through carbon reduction, resource efficiency strategies, and commercialising low carbon businesses, systems and technologies.

The Carbon Trust:

• Works with corporates and governments, helping them to align their strategies with climate science and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
• Provides expert advice and assurance, giving investors and financial institutions the confidence that green finance will have genuinely green outcomes; and
• Supports the development of low carbon technologies and solutions, building the foundations for the energy system of the future.

Headquartered in London, the Carbon Trust has a global team of over 300 staff, representing over 30 nationalities, based across five continents.
For more info: https://www.carbontrust.com/

Contact Information
To find out more about the call for applications please contact:
Martin Kiilu at +254 723 357 439 or mki@growthafrica.com