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.

The maturity level of the startup is considered in the selection process. This is an accelerator programme, so we believe we can better help startups that are ideally 1-2 years in the market and away from having recurring customers. We want to support startups in earlier stages, with contacts, networking, training and an approach to corporates, cities, public institutions, investors, etc.

It would be recommended to apply as SMEs or as SMEs in the constitution process at this acceleration programme because only SMEs participating on their own are eligible to receive por services. So if the startup has been incorporated and it´s pending the registration number, you can apply as an SME. We will ask you for the documentation to prove that you are an SME. In any case, although you can apply as SME in the constitution process, if you are selected for stage 1, we will ask you to be incorporated as an SME before the end of stage 1.

We differentiate three main eligibility areas: About the team:

• The start-up is composed by a motivated team and the leadership team is already in place.
• A dedicated team of minimum 2 persons is recommended.
• Motivation and commitment to fully participate in the programme activities.
• Fit with the EIT Climate-KIC programme: team will be asked to elaborate how they will engage and contribute to the Accelerator programme.
• The team is capable of working in an English-speaking environment.

About the product:

• The product stage is ready for demonstration, initiating PoCs/Alpha/Beta/pilot customers/paying customers.
• A clear, scalable business idea
• Have the potential to positively impact the environment through measurable indicators.

About the start-up:

• Have a breakthrough project related to new technology or service with substantial climate impact for urban areas.
• A business model is already defined.
• The start-up has already a legal entity not older than 5 years / Your company must be incorporated before entering the programme.
• Clear desire to globally scale the startup over the next 12 months.
• Based in the European Union
• Projects will have to show their potential to build new industrial value link-chains, as well as any partnership or commitment with a corporate or equivalent strategic partner.

The pool of jury members who will evaluate the applications includes:

• Public and private entities that are partners of this accelerator consortium.
• Investors (including those affiliated with banks, venture capitalists, business angels, crowd-funders etc.).
• Experts involved in the innovation ecosystem (universities, innovation hubs, etc.).

Written applications are reviewed by evaluators based on a standardized set of criteria. As a first result, a pre-selected start-up will pitch in front of a dedicated selection committee. Online pitches will be reviewed by this jury (odd number of participants) and they will select the startups for entering in the accelerator programme.

We require not to submit any confidential or commercially sensitive information in the application process. In the final selection process, and in some specific cases, it may be necessary to share more information for a better understanding of the potential of a startup. In these cases, we will suggest signing a confidentiality agreement. On a different note, your personal data are protected by Clean Cities Spain ClimAccelerator Privacy Policy in compliance with the current EU legislation on personal data protection.

Yes, if your startup is admitted to the acceleration programme, you will have to sign an EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator Grant Award Letter. This document includes the details of the acceleration programme: duration, project description, authorized purposes to which costs may be allocated, grant payment periods, key deliverables, etc. Additionally, it includes terms and conditions related to reporting, intellectual property, confidentiality and data protection, branding and publicity, etc. This document will be sent only to the startups selected in each of the stages.

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