Faqs

The Clean Cities Spain ClimAccelerator is an acceleration programme launched in 2020 with the support of the EIT Climate-KIC, with the aim of having an impact on climate change in urban areas, as well as the commercialization of clean technologies (clean tech). The programme is aimed at startups that develop solutions with special emphasis on transforming urban ecosystems so that they are climate neutral, from mobility to waste, energy or health. There are already more than 70 startups from more than 15 different countries that are members of the Clean Cities community.

The accelerator is run by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and supported by EIT Climate KIC. UPM is an institution specialized in high added value in the research and academic field, as well as services for entrepreneurs. This Spanish university is well connected with all relevant agents from the ecosystem. The cities and other partners involved bring in their respectives portfolios.

During the 4th edition, this programe will be mainly customisez to the startups needs. However, these in-kind services could be: 

• Global network of investors, corporations and public institutions. 
• Training sessions with international speakers specialized in the area of business and sustainability. 
• EIT Climate-LKIC ecosystem and community to promote the startup. 
• International entrepreneurship events. 
• Tool for assessing the environmental impact of technologies developed by startups. 
• Visibility, marketing and individualized communications actions. 

Note* International event on entrepreneurship will be held in person in Madrid from 5 to 7th of June in Madrid.

EIT Climate-KIC is a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon, climate-resilient society. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, they identify and support innovation that helps society mitigate and adapt to climate change. They bring together partners in the worlds of business, academia, and the public and non-profit sectors to create networks of expertise, through which innovative products, services and systems can be developed, brought to market and scaled-up for impact.

Clean Cities Spain ClimAccelerator is open to SMEs (legal persons) participating on their own or SMEs in the process of incorporation (remember that if your project is selected to enter stage 1, at the end of the period the company must be legally incorporated). SMEs from all over the world may apply, but only SMEs legally established in any of the Member States of the European Union will be eligible for the Clean, Cities ClimAccelerator Non EU SMEs may apply but in case they become a beneficiary of Clean Cities ClimAccelerator they have to establish in one of the Eligible Countries (EU27). Moreover, to be eligible, your proposals have to fully comply with the eligibility criteria indicated in this website.

The ideal project type would be high growth projects with an already existing market footprint and a complementary, solid and committed team. They will have to show market traction expressed in terms of users, potential customers or real clients (sales) as well as some pre-seed investment already raised from private or public investors. The ideal target projects are looking for additional support for scaling their business globally, looking to develop their business model in the next 12 months and, overall, with an important social impact. All these elements are desirable and recommended, but in any case they are mandatory. The more closely the projects match these criteria, the more likely they will be selected.