CARBON REMOVAL ClimACCELERATOR
The world needs innovative disruptive solutions urgently - Can you help remove carbon from the atmosphere ?
We are looking for talented start-ups and SMEs to join our accelerator programme.
Our partnership with Munich Re and ERGO has made us one of the best-connected climate accelerators in the EU, with a proud track record of success.
We can help you solve real world problems. Come, join our programme.
The deployment of carbon removal is critical to achieving global emissions reduction targets by 2050. Scientists predict that up to 10 GtCO2 will need to be removed annually from the atmosphere by 2050. Nascent technologies and innovative approaches will be critical in removing carbon. At the ClimAccelerator, we want to work with entrepreneurs who have technical and nature based solutions to remove C02 from the atmosphere and store safely for as long as possible.
Our Carbon Removal Accelerator helps start-ups and SMEs with innovative, technical and nature-based carbon removal solutions that can decarbonise our environment to scale and grow.
The Carbon Removal ClimAccelerator offers a hands-on, tailor-made accelerator programme focusing on product-market fit, validation, enterprise sales and strategic commercial milestones. It harnesses EIT Climate KIC’s years of experience as the main climate innovation solution provider in Europe with over 2,100 solutions supported and over €2 billion of capital secured.
To participate in the programme, your solution can be deployed or has the potential to be integrated at scale in order to effect systemic change in whatever pathway you are targetting.
Grant funding of up to €10,000 will be available to companies selected for transition to Stage 2 of the programme.
The programme will be run virtually and hosted in English.
Why Join
We are one of the most established and best-connected climate accelerators in the EU, with a proud track record of success. We are part of a broad network that includes the EIT Climate-KIC community, universities, investors and industry partners, as well as a network of mentors, fellow entrepreneurs and founder alumni.
Who should join this accelerator
A decade ago, carbon dioxide was a small part of the global climate change conversation. But the latest IPCC report notes that alongside other measures “reaching net zero GHG emissions primarily requires deep reductions in CO2, methane, and other GHG emissions”.
Both technology and bio- strategies exist to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it through various means, such as in trees and plants, soils, underground reservoirs, rocks, the ocean and even through products like concrete.
We are keen to work with entrepreneurs and SMEs with carbon removal solutions that address natural strategies like tree restoration and agricultural soil management; tech strategies like direct air capture and enhanced mineralization; and hybrid strategies like enhanced root crops, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and ocean-based carbon removal.
This is not an endless list – so if you have a solution that you believe could contribute to the world reaching net-zero carbon emissions and that can effect change quickly, please submit your application.
Programme highlights
- Training powered by Tangent, Trinity College Dublin, Munich Re, ERGO and EIT Climate KIC
- Highly experienced coaches
- Access to the best connected network in the world
- Comprenhensive overview of investment opportunities via EIT CKIC Investor Marketplace
- Connecting start-ups and SMEs with relevant experts
- Tailor made to individual companies
- One to coaching
- Pitching and collaboration opportunities with investors and partners
- Peer-to-peer learning and access to our alumni community
Stage 1
Business Model Development
- Up to 15 to 20 teams will be supported
- Duration: 9 weeks
Stage 2
Validation, Traction, Investment Ready
- 8 companies will be selected to advance to this stage
- Duration: 16 weeks
Timeline 2023
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Call for Applications
Call for Applications26 July 2023
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End of Application Call
End of Application Call 17 September 2023
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Online Pitch Day and Final Selection (Stage 1)
Announcement of selected teams25/ 26 September 2023
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Teams decided and informed (Stage 1)
Teams decided and informed (Stage 1)27 September 2023
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Start Stage 1
Start Stage 102 October 2023
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End Stage 1
End Stage 1 29 November 2023
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Start Stage 2
Start Stage 2 04 December 2023
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End Stage 2
End Stage 2 14 March 2024
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Demo Day
Demo Day 21 March 2024
Eligibility Criteria
Business stage: SMEs and registered start-ups with advanced business models, MVP / prototype (Min. TRL 5).
Registration status: Companies that are already registered will be prioritised. You must at least be in the process of registration at the time of application.
This is a global progamme. Companies from all over the world may participate in the programme (which will be delivered during Central European Standard Time CEST).
Programme fit: your business needs: targeted capacity building, networking, sales and financial assistance to succeed.
Team: teams that have a minimum of 2 founders, which together hold at least 75% of the equity and are committed to working full-time on their venture.
Market scalability: your business solution can be readily implemented and has the commercial and technology potential to scale.
Start-ups Testimonials
“Support from the Carbon Removal ClimAccelerator helped us communicate our case more effectively and with more confidence. Through Munich Re support, we have been able to verify crucial parts of our product.”
Jenny Fellenius
Co-Founder, Reverse Carbon
“Meeting founders and supporters who know the CDR space makes such a difference. Tailored sessions on market development and requirements helped a lot! We are thankful for the new perspectives we got through the collaboration with MunichRE and value the long lasting relationship across the startups!“
Carla Glassl
Technical Co-Founder,Ucaneo Biotech
“The Carbon Removal program was thoughtfully tailored to our needs, allowing us to engage with fellow startups and industry experts in the CDR market. The intensive business coaching sessions helped us prepare our business for the next exciting phase of growth. The guidance and support we received from Munich Re/ERGO opened up new perspectives on market dynamics and regulations.”
Henrike Röse
Co-Founder, Carbon Instead