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Home | Startup support | Climate Economy Accelerator
BUILDING RESILIENT SYSTEMS: 4 HIGH-LEVERAGE AREAS OF CLIMATE ECONOMY
Our acceleration programme is dedicated to scaling ventures that treat climate viability as the bedrock of financial performance. We are looking for architects of a new economic paradigm, projects that use innovation to de-risk the future. We are focusing our resources on four high-leverage sectors:
⚡ Energy Security: Building, independent, and reliable clean energy setups.
🧠Tech & AI: Using smart software, AI, and sensors to track and save resources in real-time.
đź“Š Honest Data: Providing the transparent, verifiable climate data required to prove long-term financial and environmental ROI.
The New Economic Frontier: Accelerating the Climate-First Paradigm
The global economy is undergoing a major structural shift. We are navigating a polycrisis, where geopolitical, climate, and economic volatility have exposed the fragility of centralised, carbon-heavy resource systems and supply chains. What was once seen as an environmental concern is now a critical systemic risk.
At its core, Climate Economics recognises that the economy exists within the Earth’s natural systems, not separate from them. It is the shift from treating climate impact as an externality to treating it as a fundamental economic variable.
The Climate Imperative: Primary Engine of Economic Growth
We have long moved past the era where sustainability was treated as a peripheral business imperative. Today, the Climate Imperative is the primary driver of global economic growth.
We are at a tipping point where climate intelligence is the ultimate competitive advantage. We believe the next generation of impact founders will be those who recognise that the engine of the economy must be built on climate-first foundations. And this is the next economic frontier.
WHAT DO YOU GET
Bring your biggest challenges, decisions, doubts, and team dynamics to the table. Our coaching supports both the founder and the team behind the company, helping you navigate leadership challenges, strengthen communication, resolve conflicts, build resilience, and maintain alignment and momentum as you grow.
A dedicated space to reflect, navigate the realities of building, and find clarity amidst uncertainty, leadership challenges and personal resilience.
Weekly sessions led by experts covering: strategy, finance & fundraising, GTM & piloting, leadership, soft skills & mental health, climate & regulatory policy.
Join a close-knit cohort of ambitious climate founders who learn, share, challenge, and support each other throughout the journey. We believe breakthrough companies are built in strong communities, not in isolation.
Tap into our close-knit community of investors and 100+ topic and industry experts for practical guidance and meaningful connections.
Become part of an international ecosystem 500,000 changemakers and local 650+ local community members building solutions for a regenerative future.
We don’t take equity, our goal is to help founders build impactful, resilient companies while staying fully in control of what they create
You’ll work in a friendly, innovative, and safe(r) environment where creativity is encouraged and well-being is prioritised.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
If your startup is creating measurable, positive impact for the planet with climate action at its core, we want to help you grow and scale!
You’re eligible, if:Â
- you are a seed stage startup
- You are a startup that works in one or more of these 4 impact areas: new & resilient materials, energy systems, climate-tech infrastructure, and climate data.
- Your startup is based in Germany.
- participating individuals live and work in Germany.
- your startup is registered as a German legal entity (such as a GmbH or GbR). Registration in a foreign country (e.g. the UK) makes a startup ineligible.Â
- You can commit to a hybrid programme (Sep 2026 –Nov 2027) with minimum of two in-person sessions in Berlin
Please note that the communication language throughout the accelerator will be English.
PROGRAMME TIMELINE
- Applications open: 19 May 2026
- Deadline to apply: 26 July 2026
- Online pitching event for the selection & jury participation: 10 August 2026
- Final selection: 10-13 AugustÂ
- Cohort kick-off: 14th September (online), 15th September (in-person)
- Office hour session: 15 July 2026 (online)
PROGRAMME FORMAT & COMMITMENT
With the exception of the first and final weeks, all programme sessions are conducted online.
đź“… Participants can expect to commit approximately 5 hours per week, with an additional 2 to 4 hours for preparation related to the acceleration topics. Please note that time requirements may vary during the first and final weeks due to in-person activities.
đźšť For participants based outside of Berlin, travel and accommodation expenses for the in-person weeks will be covered to a reasonable extent.
🪩 To make planning easier, we will generally stick to a regular structure. We usually host cohort meetings on Mondays, followed by 1:1 team coaching sessions with our Head Coach, and bi-weekly masterclass sessions. These sessions are mandatory. In addition, founders can flexibly schedule calls with mentors based on mutual availability and alignment.
WHAT DID OUR PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS THINK OF THE PROGRAMME?
MEET OUR ALUMNI
💬 Curious? Join our Q&A session on 15th of July to meet the team and get your questions answered!
Alternatively, you can always reach out to us via impact.ecosystem@impacthub.net for any questions and comments.
 *We strongly encourage FLINTA (female, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, trans, and agender) founders to apply. We’re committed to creating an inclusive programme environment that amplifies underrepresented voices in climate tech.
*​We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, religions, ethnicities, backgrounds, and experiences. In line with our commitment to inclusivity, we actively work on ensuring representation at all levels within the acceleration program. 💜
Startups at the seed stage that focus on climate economy, are based in Germany, and can commit to a hybrid programme (Sep– Dec 2026) are eligible to apply.
General NGOs and foundations will not be eligible for the accelerator.
The programme will provide financial support under the “allgemeine De-Minimis-Beihilfe” framework.This is a legally defined type of EU-compatible state aid for small amounts of funding that does not require complex approval processes. For each company, the maximum total support is €300,000 over three years. Help from our accelerator can reach up to reach up to ~10K of de-minimis Beihilfe. This is the company’s “threshold” for De-Minimis aid. Before applying, please bear in mind, and if you have any questions reach out to us regarding your status.
The programme is equity-free, so you retain full ownership of your company.
Graduates gain ongoing access to our mentor network for one year, and the Impact Hub global community, helping you continue scaling your solution beyond the three-month programme.
Participants should expect to commit around 5 hours per week to live sessions, plus an additional 2–4 hours for preparation depending on the week. Please note that the first and final programme weeks are in-person in Berlin and may require slightly more time.
The accelerator is hybrid, with the majority of sessions taking place online. Only the kick-off week and final week require mandatory in-person participation in Berlin. For teams based outside of Berlin, travel and accommodation for these in-person weeks will be covered.
We welcome startups that have early adopters and/or a validated prototype. You should be able to demonstrate:
- A clear problem-solution fit
- Early user or pilot insights
- Commitment to scaling a climate adaptation solution
 If you’re between early prototype and market entry, that’s completely fine. The most important criteria are:
- A strong climate action focus
- A committed team
- Readiness to benefit from coaching, expert mentorship, and ecosystem connections
According to EU standards, the startup must provide a formal self-declaration confirming:
- Purpose over Profit: The primary goal is measurable social or ecological impact, not profit maximization.
- Profit Reinvestment: At least 50% of all profits must be reinvested into the company’s common-good mission.
- Fair Governance: The organizational structure must reflect principles of co-determination, employee participation, or social justice.
Yes, startups must meet the official EU criteria for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Headcount: Fewer than 250 employees, Financials: Annual turnover < 50 million EUR OR a balance sheet total < 43 million EUR)
No. This is an intensive program. You must commit to at least 80% attendance (roughly 4–5 hours per week).Long-term: You must be willing to participate in evaluations and reporting for one year after the program ends to track your growth.
Application management partner F6S