Incubator Network Climate-KIC
Incubator Network Climate-KIC
Recently the first network meeting of Incubators involved in the Climate-KIC Acceleration Program (formerly known as the Incubation Program) was held at the Science Park of Utrecht University. Climate-KIC is a new (since 2 years) program under the European institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT). Incubators from the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, Hungary and Italy participate in the program. From The Netherlands the incubators from the Universities of Wageningen, Utrecht and Delft participate. The Acceleration Program is lead by Frans Nauta former inspiratory and secretary of the Dutch Innovation Platform.
The Network meeting was arranged around a central theme of developing business models for business incubation. Experiences from all over Europe, India and the U.S. were shared to entice a thorough discussion on services and revenue models in business incubators. The Climate-KIC incubators have the ambition to selecting 300-400 best of the best start-ups per year, Europe wide, which would make it the largest Accelerator Program in the World! All these Start-ups would make a great impact on the climate challenge we have to take on. More Incubators in Europe will be asked to join the network and help realise this ambition.
The Acceleration Program was launched in 2011 and offers Climate Startups an integrated 3-stage support program of funding (up to € 95.000 in grants), coaching, experts, master classes and opportunities to meet potential clients and investors throughout Europe. Stage one (max. 6 mths) is focussed at Initial business plans and financial modelling. Your granted up to € 20.000 and supported with a business coach and master classes. Stage two (6 mths) is all about verifying assumptions and meet at least 50 potential clients. You’ll receive grants up to € 25.000 and business coaching. Further funding and exposure can be obtained through the Climate-KIC Venture Competition. Stage three (6 mths) is about entering the market with a first customer, scaling the business and finding investors. You receive a grant up to € 50.000, pitch training, coaching and meeting investors.
More information on the program can be found on www.climate-kic.org
