Breaking Down Climate 10x
Climate change is an ever-present and existential threat to humanity, requiring immediate action to mitigate its catastrophic effects.
At UNSW Founders, in partnership with Virescent Ventures, and backed by the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy, we are providing dedicated support to high-impact, scalable technologies that can help decarbonise the planet and build a more sustainable future for everyone - starting today.
Through our brand new accelerator program, Climate 10x, we are excited to be accelerating the growth of startups and innovations in this space. By focusing on innovations and innovators that can significantly reduce emissions, generate renewable energy, and circular materials, and adapt existing infrastructure to facilitate the energy transition, Climate 10x is seeking to truly shift the needle on climate change.
Applications for 2023 are currently open until May 29th for an August 2nd start. The new program focuses on deep-tech solutions and seeks to scale high-impact solutions that can make a serious impact on decarbonisation and the transition to a renewable economy and society. What does this mean exactly? It means that Climate 10x is looking to make a bigger splash - when considering eligibility for the program, the accelerator is interested in solutions that have the potential to make a significant impact on the environment.
“After decades of inaction, the challenge of decarbonising the planet requires a multifaceted approach that involves a combination of innovation, collaboration, and game-changing technology,” Gabriella Nunes, Senior Manager of Entrepreneurship at UNSW says. “To achieve this goal, we must wrap the right skills, networks, and investment capital around the next generation of entrepreneurs – to scale their solutions rapidly.”
As lead capital partner for Climate 10x, Virescent Ventures, a specialist climate technology fund born out of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, will co-invest in startups accepted into the program, and provide invaluable depth of experience and understanding of what it means to build a climate tech company.
The first-round funding total is $140,000, with $20,000 coming from UNSW and $120,000 from Virescent via a SAFE note. There's also potential follow-on investment from Virescent up to $500K, which means that startups can access larger sums of capital to take their ideas to the next level.
“Investing in founders and companies that are scaling innovative technologies and business models is at the core of what we do,” Blair Pritchard, Partner at Virescent Ventures further says. “We are excited to be partnering with UNSW Founders and TRaCE on Climate 10x, to fund startups that will accelerate the transition to net zero. The companies that participate in Climate 10x will learn from the deep sector expertise of UNSW Founders, TRaCE, Virescent, and our combined networks. They will form a network themselves of like-minded founders, mentors, and industry leaders who are committed to supporting the growth of the climate tech industry in the coming decade.”
In addition, startups, will get access to the scientific infrastructure and world-leading climate and sustainability expertise through the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE). TRaCE, is a $250 million program delivered by UNSW and the University of Newcastle, focused on generating and spinning out significant R&D projects in recycling and clean energy.
As part of TRaCE, Climate 10x startups will be able to leverage, a significant network of climate R&D commercialisation expertise, R&D infrastructure, industry partners, multinational corporations, government networks, investors, subject matter experts, global value and supply chains.
“Collaboration between UNSW Founders, Virescent Ventures, and TRaCE is vital to providing a fertile ground and resources for entrepreneurs wanting to develop scalable and commercially viable solutions to address our carbon emitting economy,” Professor Emmanuel Mastio, Executive Director at Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy, says. “Climate action has historically troubled our nation, so the Climate 10x program is here to support recently strengthened regional and national political strategies whilst helping Australia transition to an economic and environmentally sustainable society.”
By joining Climate 10x, you can be part of the solution to one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. This accelerator program is national, and there's no requirement for affiliation with UNSW.
The focus is on identifying the top six Australian climate tech startups that can help redefine the industry and make a real impact in decarbonising our planet. Join an intimate cohort with world-class leaders, tailored programming, and expertise in deep tech.
At UNSW Founders, we believe that founders are the driving force behind innovation and change. That's why we are committed to putting founders at the core of everything we do, providing them with the resources, support, and mentorship they need to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey
If you are a climate tech founder with a high-impact solution that can help to decarbonise the planet, then you may be interested in applying for Climate 10x.
Applications for 2023 are currently open until May 29th for an August 2nd start
👉 Click here for more details.
Plus, join us for this special online webinar with Climate VC specialists Virescent Ventures to learn how you can maximise your funding opportunities in the climate startup space.
👉Register Here to learn how to take your funding to the next level.