Deadline: 12-Apr-22
Applications for the 2022 edition of the Clean Cities ClimAccelerator Program are now open!
The Clean Cities ClimAccelerator is an accelerator program focused on the impact of climate change in urban areas and the commercialization of clean technology (cleantech). It is targeted at start-ups that are developing solutions that focus on transforming city systems to become climate neutral—from mobility to waste, energy to health, and the built environment.
The Clean Cities ClimAccelerator is looking for start-ups with the capability to contribute to systemic change in cities, and that can work in multi-stakeholder ecosystems. The Clean Cities ClimAccelerator focuses on system-level innovations that address the impact of climate change in urban environments.
This accelerator program is directly linked to the City of Vienna and City of Madrid. They have based the challenges for the Clean Cities ClimAccelerator on the portfolios of those two cities.
Challenges
- Community retrofit – District renewal systems: Community retrofit and district renewal includes retrofitting buildings to make them more energy-efficient and better at withstanding extreme weather induced by climate change, while also improving amenities for the buildings’ occupants. Thermal-energetic upgrades and the optimization of building services are both key to improving energy efficiency.
- Green spaces, climate resilience & urban adaptation systems: Investing in nature can help to address climate risks, bolster public health, and improve community vitality. This can include, but is not limited to, strategic interventions using nature-based solutions in various areas around the city and using new models for engaging citizens.
- Mobility, logistics, & public space systems: Mobility, logistics, and public space systems are challenging topics for many cities. These topics give rise to important questions such as: How does public space affect the sustainability of urban mobility in contemporary cities? How does facilitating mobility contribute to livability? How can public-private partnerships trigger shifts in commuting and mobility that have a systemic benefit for all?
- Renewable energy systems: Renewable energy sources—e.g. geothermal energy and low-temperature waste heat—are needed in order to upgrade district heating and increase the share of distributed electricity generation. The use of state-of-the-art technologies, high awareness about environmental and energy issues, and decentralized renewable energy supplies in urban neighborhoods will all play a crucial role in activating private households and local administrations.
- Information & data systems: Cities have different strategies for decarbonization that typically involve a combination of different solutions, approaches, and economic sectors. However, information, data, tools, and processes are crucial to achieving their long-term goals. For example, data systems can help municipalities become more efficient, effective, and evidence-based. They could also be used to adapt or fundamentally change processes or regulations that contribute to the acceleration of decarbonization.
Stages
- Explore: Stage 1 focuses on diagnostic, training and networking. This stage will be two months long with a funding grant of up to EUR 5.000.
- Validate & Collaborate: Stage 2 focuses on the collaboration between startups with matching potential partners(challenge owners) in order to validate their solution-problem fit. This stage will be about five months long with a funding grant of up to EUR 20.000.
- Scale: In the third and final stage the selected start-ups will be supported individually in their approach to get in touch with investors and new markets.
Benefits
- Up to 25.000 euros
- Demand owners engagement
- Global network of investors, corporations, public institutions
- Training sessions with international speakers in business and sustainability
- Mentoring and coaching from experts
- EIT Climate-KIC ecosystem to boost your start-up
- Visibility, marketing and communication
- And much more!
Eligibility Criteria
- Ready for demonstration – you should have at least a Proof of Concept/Alpha/Beta/Prototype
- Scalable solution
- Potential high climate impact or significant climate adaptation
- Your company must be incorporated (or in the legal process of incorporation) before entering the programme
- Incorporated not more than 5 years ago
- Based in the European Union
- A dedicated team of minimum 2 persons
Evaluation Criteria
- Fit
- Problem-Solution fit and Climate Benefit
- Solution aligned with program orientation and EIT Climate KIC strategy.
- Impact
- Scalability of the solution
- Other societal and/or ecological value generated
- Innovation
- Is the solution new and innovative?
- Is there a focus on new technologies?
- Viability
- Is there a business model already and how is money being earned?
- What investments will be needed?
- Long term perspective and business potential?
- Team
- How realistic is it, that the venture can be realized successfully by the team?
- Multidisciplinary, background, experience, motivation?
For more information, visit https://www.cleancities.network/