Climate-KIC

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.

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

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

• Climate innovation consulting
• Systems innovation programs
• Climate resilience frameworks
• Climate accelerator programs
• Place-based transformations

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Core 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

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Schneider ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Schneider 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 EgyptcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026GIZ Egypt supports implementation of ClimAccelerator climate-tech startup programme in Egypt in collaboration with Climate-KIC and Athar Accelerator.
• Athar AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Local 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 BoundariescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026Bankers 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.
• SecondMusecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026SecondMuse 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.
• GrowthAfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026GrowthAfrica collaborates with Climate-KIC on CEIC programme for circular economy entrepreneurship support in India and Kenya, offering masterclasses and grants.
• SAE InnovacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026SAE 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-GobaincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Saint-Gobain collaborates on ChangeNOW 2026 Cities Programme, with Climate-KIC hosting a full day of activities on urban climate action and city-industry collaboration.
• JETROcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Climate-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 PiraeuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Climate 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 DigitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Joint 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Climate-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 GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Irish 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 AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2025Philippine 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025EIT 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 or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2022Strategic 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/climatekic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/climate-kic
• Instagraminstagram.com/climate.kic
• Xx.com/ClimateKIC
• Facebookfacebook.com/ClimateKIC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments20 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Climate-KIC