Support for Climate Start-ups

Innovate4climate (I4C) is a joint initiative developed by Climate-KIC and its affiliate partners WWF Switzerland and Impact Hub Zürich and implemented with their core partners Blue Lion, SEIF, Klimafonds Winterthur and Startzentrum. By pooling resources, expertise and networks, the initiators want to give a boost to climate entrepreneurship and catalyse entrepreneurial solutions for the environment’s largest problems. I4C comprises of a variety of initiatives, including a three stage accelerator programme, networking events and a match-making service for start-ups looking for talented professionals.

Innovate4climate hosts the Swiss implementation of Climate-KIC’s 3-stage holistic accelerator programme for climate start-ups. The three stages are:

Stage 1 – Initial business plans and financial modelling: This stage is people-based and about the right entrepreneurial spirit. Potential entrepreneurs come in with a business idea and will go out with a first business model.

Stage 2 – Verify assumptions and meet your clients: Stage 2 is about meeting prospects and getting to know customers.

Stage 3 – Gain traction for your start-up, customer or investor wise: In Stage 3 the first deal with a paying customer is closed and then delivered.

After going through these three stages the start-up will be prepared to scale-up its operations and to attract investments.

Business ideas can be submitted until 5 February on https://innovate4climate.ch.

The ideas have to fulfil the following criteria:

• Clear climate impact: your idea has the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions or to mitigate climate change.
• You have not yet founded a company with this idea.
• At least one member of the team is already living in Switzerland and you are planning to work in/from Switzerland.
• Clear start-up objective: you are planning to create a company and your idea can be financially sustainable.