Cambridge Cleantech, Cambridge Consultants—part of Capgemini—and EIT Climate-KIC announce the launch of the first SuperCluster ClimAccelerator, a new program designed to accelerate high-impact industrial decarbonisation startups across the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This Climate Tech SuperCluster region boasts the third-largest tech ecosystem globally, valued at more than US$1 trillion1.
ClimAccelerator will focus on providing deep technical and commercialisation support to early-stage start-ups with industrial decarbonisation technologies in the development stage. The 16-week hybrid in-person and online program starts in spring 2025.
Cambridge Consultants, with its deep technical and commercialisation expertise, brings a distinctive emphasis on this area, setting it apart from other initiatives within the ClimAccelerator community. Alongside the ecosystem engagement experience provided by the Cambridge Cleantech and the Climate Tech SuperCluster ecosystems, this collaboration offers unparalleled access to industry resources, technical support, and credibility in deep climate technology.
By leveraging the Climate Tech SuperCluster initiative, the program gains increased visibility, attracting top innovators and providing a vital opportunity to showcase their progress. Startups will also have the chance to connect with investors during aligned SuperCluster events in Paris, London and Amsterdam, further accelerating their growth within the broader climate tech ecosystem.
The programme will provide selected startups with:
- World-class expertise: Access to in-depth business planning and technology roadmapping guidance from Cambridge Consultants, the deep tech powerhouse of Capgemini, with a proven track record of translating breakthrough science and engineering into successful products and businesses.
- Targeted technical and comprehensive support: One-to-one mentoring and technical clinics to address specific techno-commercial challenges, leveraging Cambridge Consultants' deep expertise in areas such as advanced materials, electronics, software, and systems engineering.
- Ecosystem access: Integration into the wider Climate Tech SuperCluster ecosystem, including access to investor networks and partners.
- Climate Impact Hypothesis: Webinar on climate impact hypothesis, delivered by Impact Forecast. This tool allows the preliminary assessment of the potential climate impact of the company's innovative solutions.
- Access to EIT Climate-KIC’s financial sustainability tool: Climate-SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), which adds credibility and reduces risk for both startups and potential investors.
- Rigorous validation: Third-party technology and investment readiness evaluations to de-risk ventures and enhance investor confidence
- Intensive training: Fortnightly masterclasses and 8 fortnightly mentoring/technical clinics, providing a tailored programme of expert support.
- High-profile exposure: Participation in an online Demo Day and the SuperCluster Cleantech Venture Day in London.
“The Climate Tech SuperCluster mission is to support climate tech to speed and scale, and we are delighted to launch this new accelerator focused on deep tech, which is much needed to address the challenge of decarbonising industry”, explains Sam Goodall, CEO at Cambridge Cleantech and Co-founder of the Climate Tech SuperCluster.
“We're really excited to be chosen as the technology transformation partner for the ClimAccelerator alongside Cambridge Cleantech and EIT Climate-KIC, to deliver a unique programme focused on advancing new-to-the-world industrial decarbonisation technologies. By combining our deep technical expertise, with a focus on commercialisation, we aim to empower cutting-edge start-ups to achieve transformative impact in the fight against climate change” said Kieran Reynolds, Head of Energy and Industrial at Cambridge Consultants, part of Capgemini.
Alexandros Nikopoulos, Entrepreneurship Programmes Manager, EIT Climate-KIC adds, “The SuperCluster ClimAccelerator exemplifies our mission to catalyse systemic change through innovation. This unique 16-week programme targets high-impact industrial decarbonisation, offering startups access to unparalleled resources and expertise. Cambridge Cleantech brings a proven track record in ecosystem engagement, while Cambridge Consultants’ deep-tech and commercialisation capabilities add exceptional value. Together, we are creating a transformative pathway for pioneering technologies to scale and drive the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors. This collaboration strengthens our collective fight against climate change and sets a new benchmark for climate innovation.”
The ClimAccelerator is open to 8-10 high-potential startups from the SuperCluster region (UK, France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands) and will open its application phase in January 2025.
For more information about this initiative, visit: https://www.climatetechsupercluster.com/supercluster-climaccelerator
Or contact Cambridge Cleantech’s Head of Innovation and International Projects, Camila Vila-Echague via email: camila.vila@cambridgecleantech.org.uk
1 Source: Dealroom.co New Palo Alto Report 2023 | https://dealroom.co/reports/new-palo-alto
