Accelerator Details
The built environment and construction sector needs to transition to net-zero carbon.
The ultimate goal of this accelerator programme is to cut carbon emissions in this sector by helping SMEs and start-ups bring their solution to market faster, solving real world problems.
During our six-month programme, participants can expect to engage with our first-rate network of international partners, from the UN to corporate partners who need net-zero solutions, to investors (venture, private equity and debt) and alumni.
We provide commercial and strategic support combined with tailor-made accelerator programme that is climate impact focused.
The programme is a combination of workshops, coaching and learning from your peers. It is a proven model that has supported many companies.
Accelerator Programme Stages
Evaluation Process Stage 1
The evaluation process comprises of two phases:
- Reading Jury: an assessment of your start-up documentation
- Video Pitch: only shortlisted startups will be invited to share a pre-recorded 5-min video pitch via a private link that will be assessed by our jury members.
Between 15 to 20 companies may be selected to participate in Stage 1.
Stage 1: Business Fundamentals
Help entrepreneurs translate climate aligned innovations into viable, scalable businesses/ business lines. Focus on your customer and how to get your product into their hands. Which niche are you serving? Which problem are you solving? Figure out how to make money and scale up your business using a solid financial model. Stage 1 will give you a clear vision of creating the highest value with limited resources.
Outcome
At the end of this acceleration stage, we will have up to 15-20 start-ups with the following characteristics:
- Have a business model hypothesis based on customer interviews
- Have a pitch and basic business plan
- Have an understanding of all fundamental theories when starting a climate start-up
- Have a need for support with the practical validation of the start-up
Format
- 6 Weeks online, part-time (approx. 6h per week)
- Regular training sessions on set topics
- Individual coaching as required
- Peer-to-peer learning events and forums
- Meet policy, corporate and investor at workshops/ events
Fundamental topics include:
- Business models
- Products
- Team
- Finance
- Legal
- Fundraising
- Marketing
- Pitching
Evaluation Process Stage 2
After an interim commercial evaluation, based upon a video pitch with clear outputs up to 10 companies will be invited to participate in the Stage 2.
Stage 2: Business Validation, Traction & Investment Ready
Help SMEs/ start-ups translate business plans into concrete value propositions. Get out there and validate your business assumptions by talking to potential customers. We provide you with the skills and tools you need to conduct good interviews, to see through all the false positives and to build your business on real insights. After validation, you’ll be better able to choose your markets and grow by addressing real customer needs. By validating your core value proposition, it will help your business attract capital to scale and grow.
Outcome
At the end of this accelerator stage, we will have 10 start-ups with the following characteristics:
- A validated business model and roadmap based on a pilot and / or customer and end-user meetings
- A climate impact hypothesis that considers the holistic impact assessment
- A full business plan
- A clear understanding of the cap table, including equity distribution between founders and investors
- An independent product, service, or solution that is ready to integrate into complex operational systems and thus help scale the business
- Of practical interest to multiple end-users
Format
- 3+ months online and part-time
- Weekly Regular training sessions on set topics
- Individual coaching as required to support weekly topics
- Expert pool for on-demand mentoring
- Peer-to-peer learning events and forums
- Meet policy, corporate and investor at workshops/ events
Stage 2 topics include:
- Customer mapping
- Validation
- Story-telling and vision mapping
- Customer traction / piloting
- Investor-readiness (investment and finance strategies and tools)
- Plug in to city / region specific tracks with local implementation partners
- Introduce most commercially interesting companies to local investors and include demand owners
- Assessing Customer Acquisition Strategy
- Financials – Investor Readiness
- Communications and Brand Awareness
Frequently Asked
Questions
Start-ups and businesses that are at MVP stage, ideally revenue generating (or not far off) and looking to develop and scale their solutions to contribute to the circular economy and reduce CO2 emissions in Europe.
Anywhere, but bear in mind that programme activities will be scheduled according to Central Europe standard time (CEST).
Your company must be incorporated or registered as a trading entity, or at least be at the end of the registration process.
No problem, just send an email to Breandán Goss: EITAPP@tcd.ie
Please follow the Built Environment ClimAccelerator LinkedIn page to keep up to date with deadlines.
• Low carbon and green design: green building designs that reduce the environmental/ carbon footprint of a building/ infrastructure, support the disassembly of the building/ infrastructure for reuse at the end of its life or support building adaptation over its life.
• Circular materials: building materials from renewable resources (e.g., bio-based) or recycled materials, or solutions to support material recycling and upcycling (materials and process) or software/ platforms to help close the material reuse loop.
• Modern Methods of Construction: approaches can include 3D printing, and off-site construction/ pre-fabrication. Modern construction methods can also include “designing out” materials with a high carbon footprint.
• Energy systems: systems that increase the energy efficiency of all building/ infrastructure operations, and building-integrated or stand-alone renewable energy technologies and storage systems.
• Maintenance systems: support operational efficiencies for a building/ construction project and potentially extend the life of the building, e.g., predictive maintenance, drone technology, etc.
• Biodiversity: recognising the relationship between nature and the built environment, we want to support innovations supporting biodiversity across its value chain, e.g., it is a source of material to the sector, and developments can disturb habitats and wildlife.
• Transport and equipment: alternatives to transport/ equipment powered from non-renewable sources.
• Monitoring and reporting: use of software/ tech to support efficient use of resources (e.g. energy) and to monitor, control and report
