đź‘€ Take a look at what happened in the European climate tech startup ecosystem last week! đź‘€
Open calls
- Indico and Google have announced the launch of the 2022 Indico Founders Program Powered by Google for Startups. In its 3rd edition, and counting this year with two tracks, Tech and Ocean, the program will support and invest in startups at pre-seed stage level with the ambition to become global category winners. Between 6 to 10 startups will be selected and each will get an initial investment of at least €100K and up to €5M in follow-on rounds.
- ZERO is the Italian Cleantech Accelerator of the National Accelerators Network of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), launched by CDP Venture Capital Sgr – National Innovation Fund, Eni, LVenture Group, and ELIS, with the support of Corporate Partners Acea, Maire Tecnimont and Microsoft. ZERO was created to intercept startups with great business potential and a zero-impact solution for the environment. Each startup will get an €80K investment in a 5-month accelerator program.
- The Deloitte group, the international consulting and auditing giant, officially launched the GreenHydrogenTech Accelerator. This is a start-up incubation program, focused on Italy and aimed at growing innovative companies along the entire green H2 value chain.
- Startup Basecamp ​​quarterly online pitch competition. The Future of Climate Tech GLOBAL Startup Competition will bring together high-potential startups from 6 continents that are seeking to have a global impact on climate change.
Climate Tech Events
- If you are based in Lisbon, don’t miss out on the opportunity to take part in the Work on Climate meeting taking place on the 9th of March. Don’t forget to register!
Funds
- Specialist fintech investor @CommerzVentures just announced a third €300M fund. The fund will go towards supporting early and growth-stage companies in the fintech and insurtech sectors, as well as the emerging Climate FinTech space. The latest fund, which saw Commerzbank return as the sole LP, brings their combined total fund size to €550m.
- The Australian non-profit Ocean Impact Organization (OIO) is launching an Ocean Impact Accelerator Program and VC fund to back startups with solutions to transform the health of the seas. OIO has partnered with climate-tech startup accelerator EnergyLab to co-deliver the program, and with Impact Ventures to support the raise of a $2.5M early stage ocean health venture fund to invest in the accelerator participants.
Ecosystem
- There’s a lot of buzz around Europe’s climate tech industry with investment surpassing $8B last year, making Europe the fastest-growing region for climate tech in the world. But how can VCs be sure they’re putting cash in the right places? Sifted asked four climate scientists which tech they’re most interested in and what they think will have the biggest impact – from Carbon dioxide removal to batteries and green hydrogen, take a look at what is out there.
- The MIT curated a list of clean tech companies to watch. From alternative fuels and next-gen batteries to compact fusion and carbon capture, take a look at this sampling of clean tech companies with ties to MIT.
Interesting stuff
- The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) focuses on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, while recognising the interdependence of climate, ecosystems and biodiversity, and human societies. The irreversible damage already caused; a call for urgent political action, and an emphasis on systems change and climate justice; the role of cities, conservation and Indigenous knowledge. Take a look at the seven takeaways from the report.
- To understand the bioeconomy, it’s helpful to think of digitalisation — or the process of using digital tech to change business models and provide new revenue opportunities. Now replace the word “digital’ with “biological”, and you’ve got it. The bioeconomy, while broad in scope, is narrow in definition. It includes all the economic activity that comes from using renewable biomass — or material from plants and animals — to produce food, feed, bio-based products and energy. Is the bioeconomy Europe’s biggest hidden opportunity?
- The clean energy transition, a guide concluded that in the coming years and decades, we will have access to the cleanest and cheapest energy in history, however the biggest opportunities and biggest changes are still ahead. Read the guide to understand why!
Why are marketplaces vital for combating the climate crisis? The power of network effects and marketplaces to help in the transition to a climate-neutral economy. In many cases, marketplaces are able to increase the utility and usage of physical assets that would otherwise go underutilized. By doing so, fewer assets are required to meet the needs of all participants in the marketplace.
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