By April 3, the Design Factory of Riga Technical University (RTU) invites early stage green tech start-ups, not older than three years, to apply for the only European Union (EU) accelerator programme «Climate-KIC Accelerator» that focuses on fast-growing business and increasing the value of company.
«Climate-KIC Accelerator» is one of the initiatives of the «Climate-KIC», a European knowledge and innovation community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Its aim is to support initiatives to mitigate climate change and commercialize clean technologies.
You can apply for participation in «Climate-KIC Accelerator» on webpage. The programme will last from June until November. Participating companies will receive individual mentoring, expert coaching and workshops, access to «Climate-KIC» partners and network, opportunity to present their new business idea in the EU and receive grants. EIT informs that this support allows start-ups to test the chosen business model and promote commercial success.
Last year, ten Latvian companies were admitted to the programme – «Droneplan Ltd.», «CADworks Ltd.», «Snowision Ltd.», «Earth Pumps Ltd.», «Adia Nanotech Ltd.», «eHarv Ltd.», «Alternative Plants Ltd.», «Nivetap Ltd.», «Adaplab Oil&Gas Ltd.» and «AirBoard Ltd.» Their fields of activity are diverse, including the development of active ingredients from plant stem cells for cosmetics, the development of technologies for energy production, and innovative aircraft technologies. «During the four months of incubation, six out of ten companies put their prototype on the market for testing or sale,» says the Project Manager Liene Rubina.
Every year throughout Europe, the «Climate-KIC Accelerator» programme supports more than 150 early stage companies. The performance of «Climate-KIC» community innovators is highly valued, for example, this year the «Forbes» magazine has included six innovators in the prestigious 30 Under 30 Europe list.
RTU is a full member of «Climate-KIC». Currently along with «Climate-KIC Accelerator» the «Climate-KIC» implements «Greenhouse» pre-incubation programme and application for the Europe’s leading green business ideas competition «ClimateLaunchpad 2018» and professional mobility programme «Pioneers into Practice 2018» has been announced. This summer, RTU will also host the largest climate innovation summer school «Journey».
