Climate innovation initiative receives €63m funding boost
The EU’s main climate innovation initiative, Climate-KIC, has stepped up its efforts in 2014 to leverage the combined strength of Europe’s top businesses, scientists and policy makers to manage the impact of global warming and stop further climate change.
“More than ever climate change is high on the agenda and by securing this funding, we will continue to work across Europe with climate experts and innovative entrepreneurs to address climate change mitigation and adaptation, and shape the world’s next economy,” said Mary Ritter, Climate-KIC CEO.
So far this year, Climate-KIC has launched new innovative projects in the construction and sustainable city sectors, with corporate and academic partners across Europe. It has also admitted more entrepreneurs into its start-up accelerator, which is now the world’s largest climate-specific accelerator.
The EU climate innovation effort offers more courses for professionals in 2014, in addition to its existing programmes for Master’s and PhD students, and is also scaling up its presence across Europe by opening new centres and strengthening its links with regional partners. The initiative is set to increase its ties with global partners, connecting Europe with major developing markets in key carbon producing nations, such as China and Brazil.
As part of its new flagship Building Technologies Accelerator project, Climate-KIC is bringing together multidisciplinary ‘living lab’ teams across Europe to address the climate impact of new building technologies. By the end of 2014, a range of new prototype technologies will be launched across Europe’s building sector.
Smart Sustainable Districts, another one of Climate-KIC’s new flagship projects, will help turn some of Europe’s highest profile district-level developments in cities into model projects and test beds for replication of smart, sustainable city systems in other urban areas worldwide.
The Climate-KIC Accelerator helps climate entrepreneurs take their innovative ideas to market. In 2014, over 100 European startups are set to pass through the startup accelerator, which supports entrepreneurs with grants of up to €90,000, mentoring and business support.
