ECCI start-ups to benefit from £33,000 of legal support

The 20 start-ups aiming to get ahead on ECCI’s Climate-KIC Accelerator programme are set to benefit from £33,000 of legal support from industry leaders Shepherd and Wedderburn.

Specialists in legal advice for companies active within the field of energy and natural resources, Shepherd and Wedderburn experts will offer the promising companies a legal mentor, clinics and information sessions. They will also provide a six-month mentor programme for one business.

The companies have each beaten off stiff competition to win a spot on the Climate-KIC Accelerator scheme – a high profile, three stage, EU-funded support programme for start-ups which gives fledging companies funding and support to translate their inventions into business plans.

Climate-KIC was brought to Scotland for the first time by ECCI last year and in its first year helped 17 start-ups scoop 14 awards, more than £400,000 in investment and save the equivalent of more than 260,000 tonnes of carbon in a year.

Commenting on Shepherd and Wedderburn’s support package, Danny Lee, a partner specialising in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity, said:

"We are delighted to lend support to the ECCI's Climate-KIC Accelerator programme.

“The quality of submissions and diversity of innovation has been truly outstanding and demonstrates Scotland is at the forefront of developing the technologies of tomorrow which will lead the transition towards a low carbon economy, drive investment and create jobs.”

ECCI’s Innovation Manager Charlotte Waugh said:

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Shepherd and Wedderburn again to offer our ambitious Climate-KIC entrepreneurs this valuable advice and support.

"We're looking forward to being able to offer our home-grown climate innovators the expert advice, money and expertise to take on growing global markets - and progress ECCI’s goal of creating a vibrant zero carbon future.”