Europe selects the best Spanish startups to tackle climate change through Climate-KIC Valencia
Climate-KIC Accelerator provides funding and advice to entrepreneurs focused on clean technologies.
Climate-KIC, the main initiative of the European Union in innovation against climate change, presented in Valencia one of its programs to attract startups and entrepreneurs to innovate in order to contribute to a world more sustainable.
The program is called Climate-KIC Accelerator Spain and is coordinated at European level from Valencia. The call, published annually, is open to start-ups of up to three years, or pre start- ups willing to form a company or existing companies that have new product lines or business models in place.
According to Bianca Dragomir, program director, in all cases teams must have high potential projects focused and English proficiency, the mother tongue of the program. Projects must be innovative in the field of green economy: clean technologies, intelligent networks, sustainable mobility, waste management, water management … .The deadline for applications ends on March 15.
The Climate-KIC Accelerator provides funding, training, counseling and stays in countries and companies closely linked to innovation. The participants can collect up to €60,000, get training by leading professionals and be constantly advised by world-class mentors.
Carlos Ferrando, of Closca, a Spanish company involved with the Climate-KIC Accelerator, traveled in 2014 to San Francisco and Boston. His company is now developing a folding helmet for bike riders respectful with the environment. Ferrando praised the program before dozens of potential applicants.
Francisco Negre, one of the mentors of the program, also explained in the information day the program philosophy: “It’s not to fund research projects but viable business initiatives “.
Climate-KIC Accelerator Spain is the largest program to accelerate green business in Europe, according to the New York Times. Valencia is one of the European headquarters of Climate-KIC . The main partner is the Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE, who along Foundation Valenciana-Región Europea (FCVRE), Avaesen, the University of Valencia, the Polytechnic University of Valencia and some more partners have made this region the Spanish reference on this initiative to combat climate change.
For more information visit Climate-KIC Accelerator website or contact Bianca Dragomir in bdragomir@avaesen.esesen.es
About Climate-KIC
Climate-KIC, the EU´s main climate innovation initiative, is one of the first Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) created by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in 2010. The EIT is the European Union body tasked with creating sustainable European growth and jobs while dealing with the global challenges of our time.