Eligibility Criteria

We are looking for people who are motivated and passionate about fighting climate change. If you have an innovative idea, this is your chance to put it into fruition. If you’re an existing start-up and in need of financial aid and/or guidance on growing your business, this too is the programme for you! 

At this point, you’ve probably guessed that addressing complex climate challenges happens through innovation. But what do we mean by innovation? We mean breakthrough business models, exponential technology, or solutions with substantial climate impact (enabling, mitigating, adapting or a combination of these). The programme is open to non-traditional solutions and approaches with significant climate impact potential (e.g. in advocacy and policy, organisational and behavioural change, civic engagement, etc.)

Please note that all start-ups who enter in the ideation phase are required to be formally registered businesses by the time the programme ends. 

Further details on eligibility:

1. Non-incorporated projects (upon the condition that registration commences during the programme).
2. Start-ups with a minimum of two members or two people working on a concept/project. 
3. Start-ups focused on a new technology or service with high potential for both commercial viability and climate impact.
4. Startups must be incorporated, or plan to incorporate, in Portugal, Cyprus or Malta only. (Individuals may be based in other countries — see our FAQs section.)
5. Previous Accelerator participants are able to apply again, but only entering the next stage — i.e. if previously participated as a Stage 1, will automatically be eligible only for Stage 2 or 3.

1. Core value proposition can be based on digital as well as non-digital solutions.
   
2. Proof of Concept (POC) exists, (ideally) with a proven need for the solution, main pain points mapped, feedback/ validations already received from potential customers, a tested prototype/ MVP created and a roadmap designed. 
3. The programme is open not only to classical clean-tech ventures based on regular for-profit legal structures, but also open to non-profits or hybrid legal structures.
   
4. The team/start-up should be committed to participate in the programme activities. 
   
5. The team/start-up is expected to work in an English-speaking environment.
   

Does my idea/start-up target climate change?

Climate change is a huge topic! We are looking for innovation across a variety of sectors, but to make sure that your start-up matches well with our vision, you will need to address at least one of Climate-KIC’s Impact Goals: