The European Union’s main climate innovation initiative, Climate-KIC, the public-private partnership partially funded by the European Commission through its European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), is to receive an initial €63 million grant for 2014.

The PPP also receives financial and in-kind support from over 200 businesses, blue-chip corporations, universities and public bodies across Europe.

Climate-KIC has launched new innovative projects in the construction and sustainable city sectors this year with corporate and academic partners across Europe, while admitting more entrepreneurs into its start-up accelerator – which is now the world’s largest climate-specific accelerator.

Mary Ritter, Climate-KIC Chief Executive Officer commented:

“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.”  

Last night four Climate-KIC start-ups were honoured at the GreenTec Awards, Europe’s largest environmental and business prize, in Munich. Desalination start-up Akvolution was named winner in the start-up category and three further Climate-KIC backed companies were also highlighted as finalists at the ceremony.

Climate-KIC acted as official guardian of the start-up category at this year’s GreenTech Awards and supplied over half of the applications for the new category. An independent jury selected Akvolution as winner – the firm was also a finalist in the Water and Sewage category.

EU climate innovation effort scales up in Europe

The EU climate innovation effort is scaling up its presence across Europe by opening new centres and strengthening its links with regional partners.

The initiative is also set to increase its ties with global partners, connecting Europe with major developing markets in key carbon-producing nations such as China and Brazil. Climate-KIC is expected to represent Europe’s climate innovation community on the international stage throughout the year.

As part of its new flagship Building Technologies Accelerator project, Climate-KIC is bringing together multidisciplinary ‘living lab’ teams across Europe to addresses the climate impact of new building technologies. By the end of 2014, a range of new prototype technologies will be ready to 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 world-wide.

Initially, Climate-KIC is starting work in four districts, offering them the best innovations from across its network.

The world’s largest climate-specific accelerator

The Climate-KIC Accelerator – the largest of its kind globally – helps climate entrepreneurs take their innovative ideas to market. In 2014, over 100 European start-ups are set to pass through the start-up accelerator which supports entrepreneurs with grants up to €90.000, mentoring and business support.

For the first time, Scandinavia-based entrepreneurs will access the accelerator through Climate-KIC’s new Nordic centre in Denmark. Through the EU’s regional innovation scheme, start-ups from Slovenia to Ireland will also see their businesses accelerated through Climate-KIC.

Climate-KIC’s regional centres are scaling up their activities in 2014. The representations will deliver a coordinated programme of professional education, business support and city-led innovation projects. Climate-KIC’s annual Innovation Festival, which sees climate innovators from across Europe discuss the latest advancements in climate science and business, will be held in the city of Valencia, Spain, this autumn.

Climate-KIC has its headquarters in London, UK, and leverages its centres across Europe to support start-up companies.