Climate KIC Entrepreneurship

🚨 Most climate adaptation programmes last just 1–2 years. Is that enough?    Far from it.     From our work at the CAIL project, we know that designing the right kind of support for #ClimateAdaptation entrepreneurs is still a work in progress. That’s exactly what we explored in our recent online community session: “Growing successful adaptation solutions: How to design support programmes for #entrepreneurs.”    We heard from voices across the sector — Climate-KIC, GIZ, UNDP — along with 80+ participants from over 50 organisations worldwide. One thing was clear: to help adaptation innovation thrive, we need to evolve the support systems for entrepreneurs. 📖 Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4cdI3YB   Here are three ideas we think are worth your time:  🔹 Entrepreneurs often don’t realise they are working on adaptation. The language is too technical and inconsistent.  🔹 Short-term programmes leave start-ups stranded. 18 months is the bare minimum, and even that’s tight.  🔹 Do we need to rethink the whole model? Adaptation can’t be left to start-ups alone. Local ecosystems and public actors must be part of the solution.    CAIL is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNIDO, UNIDO Climate Tech Innovation, in partnership with Climate KIC, Global Adaptation & Resilience Investment Working Group (GARI), and United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). We are developing a unique knowledge platform for climate adaptation - a hub to drive innovation and boost private sector engagement.

Introducing the Climate KIC Academy: Closing the green skills gap The green transition isn’t moving fast enough, the technology is out there, people have good ideas but the critical green skills gap is slowing progress. Only 1 in 8 workers have the green skills needed to drive sustainability ambitions. That’s not enough. The transition to a sustainable economy isn’t just about technology—it’s about people who can lead, innovate, and collaborate effectively to make change happen. That’s why we created the Climate KIC Academy. Our mission is to bridge the skills gap by equipping changemakers with both technical expertise and transversal leadership skills. What we offer: ✅ Training in critical green skills like circular economy, urban design, and sustainability frameworks delivered in collaboration with our partners. ✅ Development of leadership, communication, and systems thinking skills to drive real impact, building on Climate KIC 15 years internal/first-hand? experience. ✅ A network of industry leaders, policymakers, and community advocates working together to accelerate climate action We’re calling on funders, partners, and future participants to join us in shaping the future. Whether you’re looking to gain skills, support the mission, or collaborate on programme delivery—this is your opportunity to be part of the transformation. The transition needs people who can think, connect, and lead differently. The Climate KIC Academy is here to prepare us. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/etEyw_2M #GreenSkillsGap #ClimateLeadershipAcademy #PrepareChangeMakers #LeadTheTransition

🚨 Last call for NEW ClimAccelerator Organiers Are you ready to scale climate impact and take #startups to the next level? 🌍🚀 Climate KIC is expanding #ClimAccelerator into new regions, and we’re looking for #accelerators, #incubators, and #innovationhubs across Europe and Asia to join us. Want to know what it’s like to be part of ClimAccelerator? Hear from Organiser Thais Glod about her experience 👇 Apply now before 31 March 👉 https://lnkd.in/efUYAFTE #ClimateEntrepreneurship

💡🌍 Insights from our joined session on effective collaboration for climate adaptation investment!    Last week’s conversation brought together powerful voices from across the #ClimateAdaptation ecosystem, where we share practical lessons on what it takes to build strong partnerships and lasting adaptation solutions.    Among the many valuable insights shared by our speakers, we’d like to highlight the following three key takeaways:    🔹Victor Ndiege (Kenya Climate Ventures)  Acceleration programmes must move beyond rigid curricula. To succeed, they need to reflect real market needs, embrace collaboration, and reduce confusion around climate taxonomies.    🔹Molly Sharone (UNEP CTCN / AfCIA)  Strong programme exit strategies are essential. Without them, adaptation projects struggle post-funding. AfCIA’s new approach focuses on co-designed, need-driven innovation with private sector involvement from the start.    🔹Jesper Hörnberg (Global Resilience Partnership)  Successful adaptation isn’t just about funding—it's about relationships. Locally led solutions need flexible, human-centred support that evolves over time.    Thank you for joining our session and being part of the CAIL community. Want to keep exploring climate adaptation together? Register to join our community here - https://bit.ly/4hB1Fa4     The recording will also be available soon on our knowledge platform - https://bit.ly/4hFwpa4    The CAIL project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNIDO, UNIDO Climate Tech Innovation in partnership with Climate KIC, the Global Adaptation & Resilience Investment Working Group (GARI), and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). We are building a knowledge platform to drive innovation and strengthen private sector engagement in climate adaptation. 

🚀 FREE Start-Up Masterclass: Structured Fundraising & Sales Techniques that Secure a Deal 📅 Wednesday, 2 April at 12:30 CET 📍 Zoom 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/evPKTiyj Are you struggling with your fundraising campaign? Many startups face roadblocks when trying to win over investors and close deals. This #Masterclass reveals the proven sales techniques and conversational shortcuts that will help you build relationships, handle objections, and secure funding with confidence. Join us as Ben Honan, Investment Lead at Climate KIC, shares insights from 4,000+ sales conversations over an 8-year sales career, including: 🔹 How to build rapport and establish trust with investors. 🔹 Techniques for overcoming objections with confidence. 🔹 Structuring conversations that lead to a successful deal. This session is organised by Climate KIC, providing start-ups with valuable insights and expertise from industry professionals. #ClimateEntrepreneurship #Fundraising #StartupSuccess

When women succeed, their communities grow alongside them. This principle guides StartupLab's work across Mexico's entrepreneurial landscape. Meet Ana Greta Ibañez the founder of StartupLab MX in Mexico. "For women here, entrepreneurship isn't just about ambition," Ibañez explains. "It's about survival, supporting families and building the future of communities." StartupLab is creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs—particularly those from rural areas—to lead in sustainability and economic development through: ➡️ Providing access to digital tools and support systems ➡️ Helping women modernise traditional sectors like agriculture and craft ➡️ Building environmental responsibility into business development ➡️ Opening doors to opportunities women in Mexico deserve From Tabasco to Mexico City, women entrepreneurs are using their resources to grow businesses that support local economies while providing climate solutions for their communities. 📖 Watch the video and read StartupLab's full story on the website: https://bit.ly/42dWhFo This feature is part of our ongoing series highlighting women-led Entrepreneurship Support Organisations driving climate innovation worldwide. Our Inclusive Climate Entrepreneurship programme supports organisations like StartupLab in scaling impactful, locally developed climate solutions. Partnering with CATAL1.5°T Initiative, Irish Aid, IDB Lab and Salesforce Foundation, we're working to embed gender equity in climate innovation. #WomenEntrepreneurs #InclusiveClimateEntrepreneurship #MexicanStartups 

𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗿𝘂! ➡️ Is your venture 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?  ➡️ Are you tackling 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗿𝘂’𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺? If you are a 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 working on recycling, waste management or sustainability, apply for the Catalytic Grant Facility 2025 today! The Circular Economy Innovation Clusters (CEIC) Catalytic Grant Facility provides funding and support to help scale your circular economy solutions. 📅 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟰 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 (𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱)  – Early submissions encouraged. 📅𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱: https://bit.ly/4c3sMcD 𝗧𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 our website https://lnkd.in/dv-8hBKw The grants programme is run by Climate KIC and SecondMuse and funded by the IKEA Foundation. #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #WastePrevention #Bengaluru

📣 Driving Climate Innovation with AI – Open Calls Now Live in London & Dublin! We’re calling on Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (ESOs) and start-ups in London and Dublin who are ready to harness AI for #ClimateAction, scale their impact, and drive the transition to a sustainable future. 🌍 Through expert-led workshops, tailored support, and a powerful network, this fully-funded programme will equip climate innovators with the tools, knowledge, and connections to scale their impact. If you're working at the intersection of climate, AI, and entrepreneurship, we want to hear from you. Read the open call documents here: https://bit.ly/3EzIlMI Ready to join? Apply now: https://bit.ly/4ijIJxW We have limited spots in each city:   London: 10 ESOs and 10 Start-ups.  Dublin: 5 ESOs and 10 Start-ups. We recommend applying as soon as possible to secure your spot, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Climate KIC is Europe’s leading climate and innovation agency and community. Our role is to orchestrate solutions and learning to make systems change happen at pace and scale. This initiative is funded by Salesforce, supporting the next generation of climate pioneers. 🌱 

🌍🤝 How can collaboration unlock investment in climate adaptation?    Join us for an interactive session exploring how strong partnerships attract funding, scale adaptation solutions, and drive impact—all in a virtual space designed for learning, experience-sharing, and diverse global perspectives.    Event Details  📅 Date: Tuesday, 18 March 2025  ⏰ Time: 16:00 CET  💻 Register Here: https://bit.ly/3DmJ0Rs     In this session, Victor Ndiege (Kenya Climate Ventures) will share insights on investment strategies for adaptation enterprises, while Molly Sharone (UNEP CTCN / AFCIA) will discuss technology transfer for climate adaptation. We’ll explore how to build local ecosystems, strengthen public-private partnerships, and enable cross-border technology transfers.    The CAIL project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNIDO, UNIDO Climate Tech Innovation, in partnership with Climate KIC, the Global Adaptation & Resilience Investment Working Group (GARI), and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). We are building a knowledge platform to drive innovation and strengthen private sector engagement in climate adaptation. 

🚀 Looking for your next big opportunity to accelerate climate innovation? These open calls are your chance to make an impact: 1️⃣ Women TechEU - Support for women leading deep tech start-ups in Europe. 2️⃣ #ClimAccelerator Organisers Expression of Interest - Run our flagship accelerator programme in your own context. 3️⃣ Clean Cities Spain ClimAccelerator - An accelerator programme dedicated to start-ups with urban solutions. Check out all our funding opportunities on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3EzIlMI #SystemsChangeNow #OpenCalls #ClimateEntrepreneurship Clean Cities ClimAccelerator