The sixth cycle of Europe’s leading climate acceleration programme is now open for submissions.  The Built Environment Climaccelerator programme's aim is to cut carbon emissions in the built environment and construction sector by helping SMEs and start-ups bring their solution to market faster, solving real-world problems. EIT Climate-KIC supports the programme, which is one of the most established and best-connected climate accelerators in the EU, and is delivered in partnership with Tangent, Trinity College Dublin with GreenTechHQ, Ireland’s Sustainability Innovation Hub and SustainabilityWorks.

During the six-month programme, participants can expect to engage with a first-rate network of international partners from the UNEP, the EIT Climate-KIC community, universities, investors and UN, to corporate partners who need net-zero solutions, and a network of mentors, fellow entrepreneurs and founder alumni. 

The Built Environment ClimAccelerator will provide commercial and strategic support combined with a tailor-made accelerator programme that is climate impact focused. The programme is a combination of workshops, coaching and learning from peers, a proven model that has supported many companies, including Concrete4Change. Since participating in the programme, Concrete4Change, has grown from a “2021 start-up of 2 people with a £10k turnover to 20 people and £4m turnover in 2023"

  • While many people focus on the risks brought about by global warming, a number of companies are seeing business potential in addressing the problem.
  • The Built Environment ClimAccelerator is helping companies to commercialise and scale existing solutions while also nurturing innovations that can help the built environment sector accelerate its transition to net-zero carbon.

As the climate crisis focuses on current and future risks, there is a growing understanding of the need to decarbonise key sectors within the global economy quickly. Buildings are responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions, so it is essential to decarbonise the built environment if net-zero 2050 goals are to be met. Recognising the need to commercialise and scale companies with innovative solutions to decarbonise the built environment sector, Europe’s leading Climate Accelerator is again open for applications from start-ups and SMEs with a climate tech solution. By joining this programme, companies can help flip the narrative from ‘risk’ to ‘opportunity’.

A central focus of the Built Environment ClimAccelerator programme is the construction industry, as it is one of the most significant contributors to carbon emissions, the programme recognises that the built environment straddles infrastructural, transport and logistics verticals too.

The Built Environment ClimAccelerator is looking for starts-ups/ SMEs with innovative solutions in:

  • Low carbon and green design
  • Circular materials
  • Modern Methods of Construction
  • Energy systems
  • Maintenance systems
  • Biodiversity (where there are clear links between nature and the built environment)
  • Transport and equipment
  • Monitoring and reporting

 

This is not an exhaustive list, so any company with an innovative solution to help the built environment sector decarbonise should submit its application.

We are looking for start-ups and SMEs worldwide to join us on this 7-month commercialisation journey. The programme will be delivered remotely from Dublin, Ireland. If you’re interested, please visit our website for more information about the programme, eligibility criteria and what buttons to click to submit your application. Closing date: 8th September.

Challenges Facing the Built Environment

Watch the Panel Discussion here