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Accelerator program

One year of acceleration for your CDR startup

Building a startup is a challenge – no matter whether you are a first-time founder or a seasoned veteran. Entering an opaque CDR market that is evolving at an unprecendent pace does not help, either. At the same time, we do not have a lot of room for wrong bets. We need CDR solutions to be developed and scaled as soon as possible. This is why we have set up the Carbon Removal ClimAccelerator.

We support you in building, validating and scaling your CDR solution to maximum climate and business impact.

In 9 months of our virtual two-staged program, we help you develop and increase confidence in your solution, win customers and employees, validate your climate impact and secure funding. As accelerator startup, you can profit from our diverse expertise and deep CDR ecosystem reach: From experienced entrepreneurs and startup coaches, Physics PhDs to CDR policy experts and climate tech investors, we are there to support every step of the way.

The cherry on top? You get up to 25.000€ in funding! At the end of the first stage, your team will present the progress you have made and pitch for progression into the next stage and for receiving the funding.

Program structure

Stage 1: Fundamentals (5.000€ grant)

Stage 1 is all about the basics: What problem are you addressing and is it relevant from a business and systemic climate perspective? We will get you accostomed to working with hypotheses and help you (further) acquaint yourself with the CDR space through individual coaching sessions as well as communal expert meetings.

Stage 2: Validation (20.000€ funding*)

The core of the accelerator focuses on deep diving into your solution and the challenges faced on its path towards deployment. We invite experts, prospective customers and further ecosystem players to provide insights into CDR and entrepreneurship issues such as MRV and standards, pre-purchase agreements or non-dilutive funding sources. You will also profit from continued coaching by the accelerator staff as well as active match-making with potential partners and relevant investors.

* If startups accepted into Stage 2 would like to receive 20.000€ in funding, they will have so sign a Service-for-Equity-Agreement (SFEA) with our main sponsor EIT Climate-KIC. Startups do have the option to participate in Stage 2 without receiving the funding and signing the SFEA. More details will be provided within the program. Further, the instrument does not affect participation and grant funding (5.000€) in Stage 1. 

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Program highlights

  • Virtual nine-months accelerator program focused solely on CDR
  • Up to 25.000€ in funding
  • Dedicated 1-to-1 coaching by experienced startup coaches
  • Technology and climate impact validation with experts and scientists
  • Expert workshops on CDR
  • Deep CDR Ecosystem access to prospective customers and investors, service and technology providers
  • A group of fellow dedicated founders looking to kickstart the CDR revolution