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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.”

Apply now