More KICs move to second stage of accelerator

A further six start-ups have made the grade and advanced to the next stage of the Climate-KIC Accelerator.

The start-ups, based in the Netherlands, are carrying out a wide range of investigations in order to help live with the effects of climate change. The second stage ensures the projects are ready for customer validation, and researchers will now need to meet at least 100 prospects, of which at least 40 must be outside the Netherlands and at least ten outside Europe.

The validation period takes around six months to complete and includes a workshop, peer-to-peer sessions and travelling to meet potential customers. Entrepreneurs will learn how to set up customer interviews, ensure accurate financial planning and how to collect data needed to validate key assumptions.

The projects include, amongst others, investigations into boosting crop yields, increasing the output from solar panels, developing smart waste solutions for the home and business, and making 3D printing more effective.