Why Venture For ClimateTech?
To help secure a brighter, more sustainable future, we must address the gap in support and funding for early-stage innovations that exists today. Venture For ClimateTech does this by building a diverse coalition of founders, investors, innovators, and technical experts committed to catalyzing new ClimateTech solutions.
Following a venture studio + accelerator model, we source the most promising ClimateTech innovators from around the world and offer them hands-on support until they are ready for first customers, pilot runs, and investment. Throughout our annual cohort-based virtual program, founders will have support to build strong teams and tackle commercialization challenges.
Watch a past webinar to learn more and assess if participation is right for you.
Cohort Support

Validate the Market Opportunity

Get Comprehensive Support

Secure Funding

Access Free or Discounted Services Through Our Perk Partners

Build a Robust Team

Gain a Pathway to Scale
The 2021 For ClimateTech Global Innovation Challenge Winners
In conjunction with the Venture For ClimateTech inagural recruitment, the For ClimateTech Global Innovation Challenge aimed to help early-stage climate tech innovators connect to funding, resources, expand their ecosystem, and the communities their innovations will be impacting.
Each winner received $10,000 USD; tailored one-on-one feedback with Lisbeth Kaufman, North America Lead for Accelerators and Incubators for Amazon Web Services; and media recognition for their solution.
Program Timeline
Our 2021 Cohort is in Session.
Meet the 2021 Cohort.
Phase I:
May 16, – July 15, 2022
Cohort 1 teams selected
Mentor Madness
Customer Discovery
Business Model Canvas
Phase II:
July 15 – September 15, 2022
CXO Candidate Matching
Story Telling
Investor Bootcamp
Demo Day
Phase III:
September 15 – November 15, 2021
Business Development
Partnership and Pilot Building
*Dates are tentative.
Venture For ClimateTech Team
Board of Advisors
Operating Team
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Venture For ClimateTech?
The goal of Venture For ClimateTech is to accelerate innovations likely to have substantial climate impacts for all, and which have potential for adoption in NYS. In particular, we want to offer a path to help entrepreneurs whose highly impactful innovations face unique barriers to commercialization through normal processes due to long paths to market and high capital intensity, along with other more traditional startups.
How does the program work?
Venture For ClimateTech is designed to help you quickly and effectively address the biggest risks in launching your venture. It’s a three-phase, 30-week program that seeks to help you build the team, knowledge, and personal network you need to succeed, while providing the capital, community, access to talent, and connections to make the journey faster and smoother.
What types of innovations are eligible?
We broadly are interested in companies developing technologies which have the potential to substantially reduce GHG emissions globally, and in the state of New York in particular. This often means technologies related to transportation, built environment, energy grid, energy storage, energy generation, or more broadly climate tech. We support software, hardware, and business model innovations.
What stage of company is the right fit?
We work with early-stage entrepreneurs and solo founders, some of whom will not yet have formed a legal entity. We are looking for pre-seed, meaning you may have raised money through grants but no significant amount from institutional investors. We are happy to have a conversation about other resources in our ecosystem which might be appropriate, or whether you might be a fit for our Scale For ClimateTech program! So don’t be shy, we are here to help!
Where can participants be based?
We can work with companies located anywhere in the world, but we do want the technology to have potential applications in New York State.
What is the program schedule?
Applications for the first Venture For ClimateTech cohort are open from December 14th through March 4th, 2022. Click here to apply.
The top candidates for the program will be invited to a bootcamp the week of April 11th, and will then make a pitch to the selection committee the week of April 26th. The cohort will be announced on May 3rd.
The program will run for 30 weeks from May 9th – November 28th.
How much time will I need to dedicate to the effort?
This is a part-time program spread over several months. It’s meant to help you launch, but not to take away your ability to make ends meet. Some weeks will be more intense than others, particularly at the beginning of the program, but you can expect to spend about 10-15 hours a week on your company through the program.
How and when do I apply?
Applications are now being accepted for cohort 2, closing March 4th, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST. You can apply by following the link here.
What are the selection criteria?
Startups will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- The potential carbon equivalent reduction impact of the technology or service
- The business opportunity makes sense, is substantial, and there is evidence of market interest
- The founder or founding team is sharp, motivated, self-aware, and coachable
- The company is of an appropriate stage, and is positioned to benefit substantially from participation in the program
- The startup product or service has a clear fit with the NYS ecosystem, in terms of having the opportunity for a presence, partnerships, or a market within the stage
- The solution addresses and/or involves underserved communities in development or application
Can I participate in other programs simultaneously?
Participation in Venture For ClimateTech will require 10-15 hours a week, which includes instructional and mentoring time, and time working on your company. You can participate concurrently in other accelerator or incubation programming outside of Venture For ClimateTech; however, we ask that you dedicate the necessary time to fulfill the requirements of this opportunity.
Join Us
We match all program participants with a dedicated mentor who can expertly address each company’s specific needs.
Contact us if you’d like to get involved.