Low carbon dream team seeks new recruits
Scottish low carbon entrepreneurs will get the chance to apply for a place on the coveted Climate-KIC Accelerator as stage 2 of the programme opens for applications today.
Since ECCI launched Climate-KIC in Scotland last year, 17 start-ups have been through the programme scooping 14 awards and more than £400,000 investment. The start-ups' innovations range from hemp-made fashion products to a livestock feed made from microalgae.
Climate-KIC Accelerator Stage 2 offers entrepreneurs coaching, workshops and funding of up to 20,000 euros to validate their business model with customers. It’s open to businesses with an idea for a new product or service with the potential for substantial climate impact. Applicants must have a basic business model already defined, and a motivated team with at least two founders.
ECCI, with an award-winning hub in Edinburgh and a base in Hong Kong, brings together people from business, research, communities and governments to turn good low carbon ideas into reality. It supports a thriving community of low carbon enterprises and provides policy insight and evidence to help inform government decisions.
The centre is the official partner of Climate-KIC in Scotland, bringing Europe’s biggest climate entrepreneurship programme to Scotland for the first time. As part of its Climate-KIC programme, ECCI is also running the green ideas competition ClimateLaunchpad 2018.
Stephanie Terreni Brown, Clean Water Wave founder and a participant in the Climate-KIC Accelerator Stages 1 and 2 at ECCI, said:
“The programme has really helped Clean Water Wave go from being an idea to being a big step closer to a dream realised.
“In the short time on the programme, we’ve incorporated as a company, developed our business model and attracted funding so we can pilot our project.”
ECCI Innovation Manager Charlotte Waugh said:
“For a second year running our Accelerator Stage 2 programme offers businesses the time, funding and support to validate their business models, utilizing Climate-KIC’s international networks.
"We’re looking forward to another batch of exciting applications and the chance to build on our existing, thriving community of low carbon and climate change focused entrepreneurs.”