Startup grants and accelerators: CleanTech / Climate

EIC Accelerator provides funding and support to startups and SMEs developing high-risk, game-changing innovations (TRL 6-8) with potential to create or disrupt markets. It offers a blended finance package combining grants and equity investments, plus business acceleration services like coaching, mentoring, and access to networks and global partners.

Sydney-based deep tech incubator with 25 years of track record - alumni have collectively raised over $280 million. Offers Deep Tech Programs at no cost or reduced rates through partner-funded support, plus the annual Tech23 startup showcase.

The EU-LAC Digital Accelerator connects large corporations with startups and innovative SMEs across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. It supports corporate-startup partnerships up to an investment-ready stage. Startups receive free, tailored acceleration services, including proof-of-concept, business case definition and access to investment opportunities.

Abu Dhabi global tech ecosystem offering grants, investment access and relocation support for startups, with dedicated AI and ClimateTech program tracks.

Z Fellows is a one-week programme that brings technical builders together with founders of billion-dollar companies. Participants are mentored by these founders, and the programme continues to help them for the life of their company. Participants can join without money, or receive a $10,000 investment at a $1B valuation cap that converts into stock at the next priced round.

Global, virtual-first fellowship backing early-stage founders, run by a group of unicorn entrepreneurs. Two tracks: Ideation for founders without revenue traction, Traction for founders already generating revenue, users, pilots or patents. Roughly 35-40 startups accepted a year.

Dollar-matched non-dilutive funding voucher ($10,000-$50,000) to access CSIRO's research expertise for pre-revenue or pre-profit Australian startups and small businesses - nothing repaid, no equity taken, rolling applications.

Deep-tech focused venture firm running accelerator programs for startups in Southeast and South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America through its Orbit Startups initiative.

Europe's leading B2B accelerator (Estonia-based), running programs across the Baltics, Southern Europe, Turkiye, Ukraine and parts of Africa - around EUR 50,000 upfront for a negotiated 3-6% equity stake.

AWS Activate provides startups with promotional cloud credits, ranging from up to $5,000 for self-funded founders to up to $200,000 for pre-Series B startups backed by an Activate Provider (accelerator, angel investor, or VC firm). Invite-only additional credits beyond $200,000 are available for AI startups ready to scale post Activate Portfolio.

Elemental Impact is a nonprofit investor that provides catalytic capital plus wrap-around support—project expertise, local partnerships, and investor mobilization—to entrepreneurs building first-of-a-kind and early commercial climate technologies across energy, industry, food and agriculture, nature, water, and transportation. It also recently launched a Data Center Innovation Initiative with Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft to accelerate sustainable infrastructure technologies.

Co-invests up to $150,000 alongside industry partners in research projects with University of Central Florida or University of South Florida faculty, for companies in the 23-county Corridor region.

Government incentive programme helping entrepreneurs and new Israeli startups reach proof of concept and business feasibility. Funds prototype building, IP protection and business development, including materials, components, subcontractors and consultants. Founders are not required to quit their job, incorporate a company, or give up rights to the project.

Innovate UK's Innovation Funding Service lists multiple ongoing and upcoming competitions offering grants to UK-registered businesses and other organisations for R&D and innovation projects across sectors such as AI, batteries, energy, health, and more. Each competition has its own eligibility criteria, funding amount, and deadline, with awards ranging from tens of thousands to tens of millions of pounds.

Non-dilutive grants for Maine startups along the full innovation continuum - typically $10,000-$30,000 for first-time applicants, with cumulative funding reaching up to $100,000 per company as the business progresses. No application deadlines - apply any time.

The federal non-dilutive funding program behind most of the state SBIR/STTR matching grants in this catalog - Phase I awards $50,000-$275,000 for proof of concept, Phase II awards $750,000-$1,800,000 for technology development. Open to for-profit US companies with fewer than 500 employees, in all 50 states and territories.

Innosuisse funds science-based innovation projects of Swiss start-ups preparing for first market entry, covering up to 70% of direct project costs with the start-up contributing at least 30% itself. Only the start-up (not a research partner) is supported, and applications are evaluated by independent experts and the Innovation Council before a funding decision.

Free 5-month residential fellowship in Washington, DC for early-stage social entrepreneurs - no fee, no equity stake. Includes a $10,000 stipend, free housing and workspace, pro-bono legal/business support, and AWS cloud credits.

State-affiliated seed fund investing in Virginia-headquartered technology, life science, and cleantech startups, with initial checks up to $125,000 via a common Gust application.

Global network of zero-equity, zero-fee accelerator programs across multiple regions. Startups compete for non-dilutive cash prizes instead of giving up equity for funding.

Vinnova provides government funding to organisations for research and innovation projects in Sweden through various 'calls for proposals', covering areas such as climate-smart solutions and robotics for elderly care. It also offers support specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), though it typically does not fund all project costs and requires applicants to secure additional funding sources.

TCA Venture Group, formerly Tech Coast Angels, is an angel investment organisation in Southern California with about 400 members and five angel funds. It supports startups through seed, bridge and early A-round funding, and provides connections, mentorship and operational support. Entrepreneurs can apply for funding through its website.

BANSEA is Asia's oldest angel investment network, established in 2001, and promotes early-stage investment in Southeast Asia. It offers startups investment opportunities from its angel investors, along with help to fine-tune business plans and mentoring. Startups can submit their company through the site to raise with BANSEA.

An annual international awards programme for women impact entrepreneurs, run by Cartier. Awards come with a grant, a fellowship year and peer coaching. Separate regional awards and a Science & Technology Pioneer award.

Keiretsu Forum is a global investment community of accredited private equity angel investors, venture capitalists and corporate/institutional investors. It has 53 chapters on 4 continents, and its members invest in high-quality, diverse investment opportunities. Startups can apply through the site to present to its investors.

The SFC Angel Fund raises money for early-stage businesses by investing in SEIS and EIS eligible ventures. The page says SFC invests in 15-20 companies per fund and works with universities, spin-outs, accelerators, incubators and angel investors. It also has a 'Start Raising' section for startups seeking capital.

State-run non-dilutive grants (Proof of Concept, Early-Stage Capital & Retention, Collaborative Infrastructure, Export) for Colorado startups in seven advanced industries: manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy, infrastructure engineering, and technology.

Open innovation marketplace connecting social entrepreneurs with non-dilutive grant funding, mentorship and a nine-month support program to scale impact solutions globally.

Argentine government program offering an interest-free honor loan (0% interest, no collateral, no fees) of up to $250,000 for early-stage ventures, or up to $700,000 for the Impacto track focused on social and environmental impact projects, accessed through an authorized incubator.

12-week impact-focused accelerator investing in tech startups tackling climate and sustainability challenges, with dedicated tracks including an Africa agritech cohort.

Non-dilutive Concept Awards ($200,000) and Prototype Awards ($500,000) for early-stage California clean energy startups, administered by New Energy Nexus for the California Energy Commission.

IAN Group invests in innovative companies that solve real-world problems, driven by technology and targeting large markets. Its investment strategy draws on the Group's mentor and expert pool and global networks. Investment is made through funds including the IAN Alpha Fund and the IAN Angel Fund.

State-run grants and SBIR/STTR matching funds (SEED Fund) for Washington technology startups, plus periodic Small Business Innovation Fund awards for R&D-driven small businesses.

Grants up to $75,000 for Rhode Island businesses (500 employees or fewer) to fund R&D conducted with a local Knowledge Provider (college, university, hospital or research institution) or in-house for manufacturers. Over 150 projects funded to date.

Corporate-backed equity-free accelerator for APAC startups (including New Zealand and Australia) working on circular economy, climate action or sustainable agriculture - $20,000 equity-free grant, with an additional $100,000 available to program winners.

Canada's largest source of non-repayable R&D funding for small and medium businesses — up to $10,000,000 per project, covering up to 80% of R&D labour costs. No equity taken, nothing repaid.

New York state energy agency deploying $1.2 billion over 15 years in R&D grants, commercialization support, and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence program for clean energy startups.

Uruguay's national innovation agency co-funds innovative ventures under 36 months old with non-refundable support (Uruguay contributes at least 40% of project cost, up to $300,000 over 3 years), plus a $40,000 non-refundable Softlandings track for startups relocating to Uruguay.

The Gold House Ventures Accelerator is a 14-week immersive program for diverse-led tech startups across the United States. Benefits include weekly masterclasses, 1:1 advising from experienced founders and operators, curated investor introductions, and a public Demo Day. Founders also get strategic networking with Gold House's network of Asian Pacific creatives, executives, and venture capitalists, and the page says they are eligible for seed funding.

J-Startup is a startup development support program run by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that identifies and promotes promising Japanese startups capable of competing globally. Companies are selected through a strict examination process involving recommendations from venture capitalists, accelerators, and corporate innovation leaders, plus approval by an external review committee. Selected companies are designated 'J-Startup Company' and featured/promoted by the program. The programme page does not specify what designated companies receive beyond the designation itself.

EIC Pathfinder is a Horizon Europe funding programme that supports research teams taking forward breakthrough deep tech projects at the earliest stages (TRL 1-4). It offers grants of up to EUR 4 million, booster grants, coaching, mentoring and networking. It is open to research teams, including consortia or, for Pathfinder Challenges only, single applicants.

XPRIZE Foundation runs a series of global 'Grand Challenges' that award large cash prizes to teams or innovators who develop breakthrough solutions in areas like quantum computing, water scarcity, healthspan, wildfire response, carbon removal, and rainforest conservation. Prizes range from $5 million to $119 million and are sponsored by various foundations and corporate partners such as Google Quantum AI, Musk Foundation, and HEVOLUTION.

SPRIND is Germany's Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation, which runs open 'Challenges' inviting teams with radical ideas to apply for funding on specific breakthrough technology themes. Current open challenges include AI-Native Chip Design, Next Frontier Robotics, and Recoding Medicine, each with its own application deadline. The agency finances groundbreaking technologies intended to generate economic benefit for Germany and Europe.

Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge is a global deep tech startup competition offering a €200K equity prize from DeepBright Ventures, access to 350+ VCs and CVCs at Investor Day, and year-round connections with investors, corporates, and industry leaders. Selected 'Deep Tech Pioneers' get global recognition, exhibition opportunities at the Hello Tomorrow Summit in Amsterdam, and finalists pitch on the Pioneers Stage in front of top investors and media.

LAN Accelerator runs a six-week acceleration programme for early-stage tech startups in Latin America, combining masterclasses, 1:1 mentoring, the LAN Brain team memory tool, and a Demo Day in Santiago de Chile. LAN takes equity through a SAFE at the startup's current valuation to cover the programme cost. The page says the top startups of the batch may receive cash investment through a SAFE at the cap of their own round.

Echoing Green Fellowship is a full-time program that selects social entrepreneurs working on solutions to major social problems and provides them with seed funding, leadership development, wellness support, and expert resources. Fellows receive a stipend of $100,000 over 18 months, with for-profit organizations receiving funding as recoverable grants. The program also connects Fellows to a community of peers and experienced business leaders through convenings and pro-bono expert support.

Google for Startups Accelerator: Southeast Asia is a three-month, equity-free program for Seed-to-Series B startups in Southeast Asia, offering direct engineering support, 1-to-1 mentoring, technical workshops, and in-person bootcamps in Singapore and San Francisco. Participants also gain early access to Google AI products, potential Cloud credits, and free Cloud TPU access to accelerate their technology and business.

Non-dilutive grants for early-stage New Jersey startups - no application fees collected. Includes Clean Tech R&D Seed Grants (up to $75,000) for very early-stage clean tech companies and SBIR/STTR follow-on support ($50,000) for companies that completed Phase I and submitted a Phase II application.

Free, equity-free seven-month pre-acceleration programme for early-stage innovators across 22+ European countries, offering training, mentorship, and up to EUR 10,000 in prizes with no equity taken.