Universidad
Politécnica de Madrid

Clean Cities Spain ClimAccelerator 2023

Call for startups

What is Clean Cities Spain ClimAccelerator?

Cities face an enormous challenge: They must become more resilient and healthy places to live while reaching net-zero-emissions in just a few short years. The Clean Cities Spain ClimAccelerator is an accelerator program, launched in 2020 with the support of EIT Climate-KIC, with a strong focus on the impact of climate change in urban areas and the commercialization of clean technology (cleantech). It targets start-ups that are developing solutions with special focus on transforming city systems to become climate neutral—from mobility to waste, energy to health, and the built environment. The programme is looking for start-ups with the capability to contribute to systemic change in cities, and that can work in multi-stakeholder ecosystems. The accelerator focuses on system-level innovations that address the impact of climate change in urban environments.

This programme is directly linked to several cities around Europe. Additionally, we have participation from other actors from the ecosystem such as international corporates, investors and SMEs. These consortium represent different sectors which are compromised with initiatives such as this one. All these entities have been and are working in active strategies and policies related to sustainability and climate change.

This initiative is led by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, a relevant actor in the academic and technology-based research field, with a strong commitment to the SDGs and which also has more than 20 years of experience in deep tech entrepreneurship with a clear international focus. Additionally, this accelerator is supported by EIT Climate-KIC, the knowledge and innovation community working to accelerate the transition towards a zero-carbon and climate-resilient society.

Which are the topics this accelerator is focused on?

Cities are complex environments and there are many fields in which to act, but CCSCA focuses on these 5 major topics and their corresponding subtopics.
Topic 1: Community retrofit - District renewal systems

Topic 2: Green spaces, climate resilience & urban adaptation systems

Topic 3: Mobility, logistics, & public space systems

Topic 4: Renewable energy systems

Topic 5: Information & data systems

What are we looking for?

If you are a startup that is acting or that can provide solutions in any of the previous topics and you also meet the following requirements, this is your accelerator!

• Startups must offer a scalable solution
• Potential high climate impact or significant climate adaptation
• Your company must be incorporated (or in the legal process of incorporation) before entering the programme (Incorporated not more than 5 years ago)
• Based in the European Union
• A dedicated team of minimum 2 persons

What do we offer?

As it is expected the participation from competitive startups, this programme will be mainly customisized to the startups needs. However, these in-kind services could be:

• Access to different ecosystems in Spain and in Europe.
• Global network of investors, corporations, public institutions.
• Training sessions with international speakers in business and sustainability.
• Access to the EIT Climate-KIC ecosystem to boost your start-up.*
• Access to EIT Climate-KIC sustainability tool: Climate SAFE.*
• Visibility, marketing and communication.

*Note: these services will be covered only if you have signed the Climate SAFE agreement which is optional from the EIT Climate-KIC side. CCSCA organizers are not responsible for everything related to this agreement. Thus this is optional and not mandatory from CCSCA organizers. 

Tentative timeline

October 9th, 2023: Call launch.
October 30th, 2023: Application deadline until 23:59 CEST.
November 7th, 2023: Elegibility criteria, jury process and selected startups announcement.
November 9th, 2023: Kick-off.
March 1st, 2024: End of the program.
The final agenda will be sent to those selected startups. We kindly ask you to block your agenda on November 7th and November 9th just in case you’re pre-selected and selected to join us this 2023.

More information 

Apply here!!!!

Contact

In case you have any doubt, do not hesitate to contact the program’s managers:
● Elisa Navarro: elisa.navarro@upm.es
● Ana Horta: ana.horta@upm.es