Climate-KIC
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Climate-KIC does
Climate KIC is a Netherlands-registered non-profit foundation (Stichting Climate-KIC International Foundation) operating as the EU's largest public-private climate partnership. Founded in 2010 and initiated by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the organization functions as a climate innovation agency implementing EU framework programmes (Horizon Europe) and missions including the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. In February 2025, the organization rebranded from EIT Climate-KIC to Climate KIC. Its headquarters are in Amsterdam, with branches across multiple European countries and operating geographies spanning 28+ countries across Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Latin America.
The organization deploys proprietary systems innovation methodologies, most notably the Deep Demonstration approach (working with stakeholders across entire value chains to develop coordinated innovation actions at scale), the Regional Resilience Journey framework (engaging nearly 200 European regions), and the Portfolio Approach for Decision Making (used by Slovenia's Ministry to monitor 38 pilot projects). Its product portfolio is organized into four programme categories: Place-based Transformations (Pathways2Resilience supporting 100+ regions with €21M cascade funding, Deep Demo Ireland, NetZeroCities, Deep Demo Slovenia, Tanzania Adaptation Innovation Cluster), Climate Entrepreneurship (ClimAccelerator, ClimaTech Connect with EIT Digital), Europe 2030 Missions, and Learning by Doing (Climate KIC Academy). Supporting platforms include the Climate City Capital Hub (with Bankers without Boundaries) and Hubs4Circularity Community of Practice.
Revenue is generated entirely through non-commercial mechanisms: EU Horizon Europe programme grants (Pathways2Resilience €21M, ARCADIA, DesirMED, NBRACER, SystR, UNDERPIN), national government partnerships (€2M Irish Department of Agriculture, €700K Carbery, Slovenian MVZI), and foundation grants (IKEA Foundation for CEIC). The customer base is overwhelmingly public sector: European regions, cities (112 EU Mission Cities including Bordeaux Métropole, Dijon, Budapest, Bristol), national ministries, ports (Port of Piraeus), and select corporate and accelerator partners.
Climate-KIC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Climate-KIC
- Legal name
- Stichting Climate-KIC International Foundation
- Website
- https://climate-kic.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Climate-KIC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Climate Innovation Consulting
- NAICS
- Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD), Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPAIAMAD), Climate Target-Setting, Transition Planning & Performance Management Platforms (EUABAEAF), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA)
Keywords
Where Climate-KIC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Climate-KIC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- EU Horizon Europe Funding: Climate KIC receives substantial funding through EU Horizon Europe programmes including Pathways2Resilience (€21 million cascade funding), ARCADIA, DesirMED, NBRACER, SystR, and UNDERPIN projects. These are multi-year EU-funded research and innovation initiatives.
- Government Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with national governments such as the €2 million partnership with Ireland's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support climate innovation in the agri-food sector over a two-year initiative.
- Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including the IKEA Foundation for the Circular Economy Innovation Cluster (CEIC) programme offering grants up to €50,000 per organization.
- EIT Funding: Originally initiated by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Climate KIC operates as a non-profit foundation with public benefit status (ANBI) registered in the Netherlands.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Climate-KIC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Climate-KIC is a non-profit climate innovation agency that designs and delivers programs helping European regions, cities, and governments develop transformative climate action plans. It operates place-based transformation programs (Pathways2Resilience, NetZeroCities, Deep Demonstrations), accelerator programs for climate-tech startups (ClimAccelerator, ClimaTech Connect), and capability-building initiatives (Climate KIC Academy) funded through EU Horizon Europe grants, government partnerships, and foundation grants.
Product overview
Climate KIC is Europe’s leading climate innovation agency and community. It operates as a non-profit foundation (Stichting Climate-KIC International Foundation) with public benefit status (ANBI), registered in the Netherlands. The organization implements various programmes organized into four main categories: Place-based Transformations (regional climate initiatives including Pathways2Resilience, Deep Demonstration Ireland, and NetZeroCities), Climate Entrepreneurship (startup acceleration through ClimAccelerator and ClimaTech Connect), Europe 2030 Missions (EU Mission implementation), and Learning by Doing (Climate KIC Academy). Key platforms include NetZeroCities with its Pilot Cities Programme and Climate City Capital Hub, Pathways2Resilience supporting 100+ European regions, and Deep Demonstration Ireland for agri-food system transformation. The organization also runs the Hubs4Circularity Community of Practice and the Circular Economy Innovation Cluster in India and Kenya.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NetZeroCities EU-funded initiative led by Climate KIC helping European cities accelerate towards climate neutrality through the Pilot Cities Programme and Climate City Capital Hub, for city governments and local authorities.
- Pathways2Resilience EU-funded programme under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change that empowers over 100 European regions to co-design climate-resilient futures through cascade funding, guidelines, tools, and hands-on training, for regional and local authorities.
- Deep Demonstration Ireland Systems innovation partnership with Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine accelerating pathways to climate neutrality in the agri-food sector through seven flagship innovation areas, for Irish government and farming communities.
- Climate KIC Academy Leadership development programme empowering leaders in climate innovation through training and capability building, for public officials and climate practitioners.
- Hubs4Circularity Community of Practice Community of practice led by Climate KIC creating spaces for local authorities and businesses to learn about and implement circular economy and industrial-urban symbiosis initiatives.
- ClimaTech Connect Joint training and mentoring programme with EIT Digital accelerating early-stage climate-tech startups through a three-gate system with embedded DEI practices, for climate-tech startup founders.
- Circular Economy Innovation Cluster (CEIC)
Quantifiable outcome
- 124 European regions supported in climate resilience journey
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Climate-KIC
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Climate-KIC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Climate-KIC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Schneider ElectriccoreSchneider Electric serves as sustainability and technology partner for ClimAccelerator climate-tech startup programme in Egypt, providing mentorship and technical support aligned with expertise in energy management and digitalisation. The programme supports five climate-tech startups through specialized training and milestone-based funding.
- GIZ EgyptcoreGIZ Egypt supports implementation of ClimAccelerator climate-tech startup programme in Egypt in collaboration with Climate-KIC and Athar Accelerator.
- Athar AcceleratorcoreLocal accelerator in Egypt operating ClimAccelerator programme in collaboration with Climate-KIC, supporting five climate-tech startups with training, technical assistance, and milestone-based funding.
- Bankers without BoundariescoreBankers without Boundaries leads Climate City Capital Hub, helping cities translate climate plans into credible investment pipelines and connecting them with potential financiers including European Investment Bank.
- SecondMusecoreSecondMuse is a collaboration partner for the Circular Economy Innovation Cluster (CEIC) programme, leading masterclasses in Bengaluru, India and Nairobi, Kenya, with grant opportunities up to €50,000 per organisation.
- GrowthAfricacoreGrowthAfrica collaborates with Climate-KIC on CEIC programme for circular economy entrepreneurship support in India and Kenya, offering masterclasses and grants.
- SAE InnovacoreSAE Innova organizes the 3rd European Carbon Farming Summit with Climate-KIC within Horizon Europe-funded CREDIBLE project, expected to draw over 700 in-person participants.
- Saint-GobaincoreSaint-Gobain collaborates on ChangeNOW 2026 Cities Programme, with Climate-KIC hosting a full day of activities on urban climate action and city-industry collaboration.
- JETROcoreClimate-KIC and JETRO launched call for European partners to engage with five Japanese climate tech start-ups (ESA, Eco-Pork, Innovare, MetaSensing, QFF) seeking partnerships, pilots, and investment as part of J-StarX Global Growth for Climate Tech in Europe Programme.
- Port of PiraeuscoreClimate innovation initiative with Port of Piraeus, Greece focusing on systemic change and stakeholder collaboration, resulting in shared vision for climate action and development of guidelines for ports on systems innovation.
- EIT DigitalcoreJoint training and mentoring programme ClimaTech Connect 2025 accelerating early-stage climate-tech startups with embedded DEI practices throughout its three-gate system.
- Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MVZI)coreClimate-KIC supported MVZI in adopting portfolio approach to monitor and evaluate 38 pilot projects funded through Recovery and Resilience Facility, leading to new micro-credentials policy.
- Irish GovernmentcoreIrish government proposed national framework for carbon farming with public consultation, working to be among first to implement EU's CRCF regulation as model for Europe.
- Philippine Space AgencyminorPhilippine Space Agency leads €22.6 million EU-backed digital economy initiative with Climate-KIC as European partner alongside Expertise France and HAUS Finland, contributing to Philippines connectivity and cybersecurity.
- EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology)coreEIT Climate-KIC was initiated by EIT and rebranded to Climate KIC. EIT provides foundational support and mandate for climate innovation activities across Europe.
- Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the MarinecoreStrategic partnership to achieve climate-neutral food system by 2050 with €2 million initial investment. Partnership applies Deep Demonstration methodology across entire agri-food value chain, working with stakeholders from public and private sectors including finance, education, and civil society.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Climate-KIC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EIT Food: EIT KIC focused on food systems, with which Climate KIC's Deep Demonstration Ireland agri-food programme operates in adjacent territory. Same institutional structure, EU mission mandate, and consortium-based delivery model.
- ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability: Global network of local and regional governments committed to sustainability, with comparable member-driven model, regional resilience programmes, and peer learning infrastructure for cities and regions on climate action.
- EIT InnoEnergy: A sister EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community focused on sustainable energy. Shares the same EIT institutional structure, EU mandate model, and consortium-driven programme delivery as Climate KIC, but operates in energy rather than climate innovation.
- C40 Cities: Global network of cities focused on climate action, with comparable mission of supporting mayors and cities to deliver climate neutrality. Operates a similar city-engagement and peer-learning model as NetZeroCities, with overlap in EU Mission Cities programme.
- EIT Digital: Another EIT KIC, with which Climate KIC jointly runs the ClimaTech Connect programme for climate-tech startups. Direct comparator in structure (EIT KIC), funding model (EU public-private partnership), and accelerator/programme delivery.
Broad incumbents
- World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organisation working on climate, cities, food, and forests. Comparable in providing climate research, city-level frameworks (Ross Center for Sustainable Cities), and policy advisory to governments and regions.
- The Carbon Trust: Established climate solutions organisation advising governments and businesses on decarbonisation. Comparable in climate advisory and programme delivery to governments, with broader commercial scope than Climate KIC's non-profit, EU-mandated focus.
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): Global environmental disclosure system operating at scale with corporates, cities, and regions. Overlaps with Climate KIC on city-level climate engagement, climate data, and disclosure frameworks, but operates globally with a broader mandate.
Emerging players
- Climate Bonds Initiative: Organisation working to mobilise capital for climate solutions through green bond standards and labelling. Comparable to Climate KIC's Climate City Capital Hub in mobilising climate finance for cities, with focus on debt markets rather than city planning.
- Nesta: UK innovation foundation operating programmes on climate, health, and economic inclusion. Comparable as a mission-driven, grant-funded innovation intermediary running accelerators and place-based programmes with similar methodology to Climate KIC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Climate-KIC social profiles
Digital presenceClimate-KIC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Climate-KIC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Climate-KIC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Climate-KIC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments20 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Climate-KIC
What does Climate-KIC do?
Climate-KIC is a non-profit climate innovation agency that designs and delivers programs helping European regions, cities, and governments develop transformative climate action plans. It operates place-based transformation programs (Pathways2Resilience, NetZeroCities, Deep Demonstrations), accelerator programs for climate-tech startups (ClimAccelerator, ClimaTech Connect), and capability-building initiatives (Climate KIC Academy) funded through EU Horizon Europe grants, government partnerships, and foundation grants.
Is Climate-KIC a public or private company?
Climate-KIC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Climate-KIC founded?
Climate-KIC was founded in 2010. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Climate-KIC based?
Climate-KIC is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Climate-KIC make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. EU Horizon Europe Funding is the primary driver. The others are government Partnerships, foundation Grants and EIT Funding.
Who are Climate-KIC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EIT Food, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, EIT InnoEnergy, C40 Cities and EIT Digital. Broad incumbents are World Resources Institute (WRI), The Carbon Trust and CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project). Emerging players are Climate Bonds Initiative and Nesta.
Does Climate-KIC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Climate-KIC.
What industry is Climate-KIC in?
Climate-KIC's product category is Climate Innovation Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation, with a secondary code of BPADALAD, Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs. Its NAICS code is 9241 and its SIC code is 8600.