Application Deadline: Varying
Apply for the 2024 UNIDO Global Cleantech Innovation Programme!
Overview
Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) is a programme led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). UNIDO Global Cleantech Innovation Programme promotes cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging market and developing economies to address climate challenges and foster sustainable development.
UNIDO Global Cleantech Innovation Programme supports start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovative cleantech ideas in establishing and upscaling robust business models. GCIP also strengthens entrepreneurship ecosystems and facilitates partnerships and networking between private and public actors to ensure the long-term sustainability of its interventions. GCIP’s primary goal is to identify and support innovative cleantech solutions from developing countries through business acceleration and investment facilitation services specifically designed for cleantech companies operating in the developing country context.
GCIP offers comprehensive support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises, as these MSMEs are the backbone of emerging and developing economies, to help them bring their solutions to market. GCIP directly supports cleantech innovators through business acceleration training, mentorship, networking and financing facilitation. GCIP also helps partner countries strengthen their national innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. GCIP builds capacities of national institutions and contributes to the formulation of inclusive national policy frameworks as well as creates partnerships between stakeholders in the public, private and academic sectors.
Eligibility
As of 2023, 16 countries are part of GCIP, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, South Africa, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uruguay and Viet Nam. By 2025, GCIP plans to expand to at least 25 partner countries.
GCIP Beneficiaries
The primary direct beneficiaries of GCIP are early-stage start-ups and SMEs developing innovative cleantech solutions in the following areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste beneficiation, water efficiency, green buildings, transportation, advanced materials and chemicals. GCIP also provides support to national government institutions in the partner countries, R&D organizations, industry associations and other stakeholders involved in the development of cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
Entrepreneurs wishing to take part in the GCIP accelerator apply for a relevant national application call. Those selected then participate in an intense business training to further develop their cleantech solution, acquire pitching skills and network with peer innovators. GCIP National Accelerators select approximately 20-30 candidates each year as GCIP semi-finalists. Each cohort has access to a 3–4-day National Academy and a 15-week Acceleration Phase that includes webinar-based training, continuous and gender-responsive mentorship, mock judging and a final pitching event.
Benefits
The best business ideas have an opportunity to get funding as a final award. The winning categories include, among others, best women-led innovations and industry-specific awards such as energy efficiency, green buildings or renewable energy. The national GCIP winners are invited to participate in the annual GCIP Global Forum in Vienna. Summarizing, the accelerator helps entrepreneurs: to improve their business model and investor pitch, to understand how to calculate and grow their impact, to connect to potential pre-seed, seed and challenge funds.
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Also Check: Apply for the 2024 GCSP Prize for Innovation in Global Security (CHF 10’000 Cash Prize)
