Top climate technology accelerators helping CleanTech startups scale with funding, technical mentorship, and industry partnerships to combat climate change.
The best climate tech accelerators in 2025 include Elemental Excelerator (Hawaii), Techstars Sustainability, Greentown Labs (Boston), and Third Derivative (New York). These programs offer $250K-$1M funding, technical validation resources, pilot opportunities with utilities, and access to climate investors - essential for navigating long development cycles and regulatory approval in clean energy markets.
Hawaii-based accelerator focused on climate resilience and clean energy with strong Asia-Pacific connections
Global Techstars program dedicated to sustainability and climate tech solutions
Largest CleanTech incubator in North America with wet lab and prototyping facilities
New York-based program by RMI focusing on systems-level climate solutions
Pacific Northwest accelerator specializing in early-stage clean energy technologies
BMW-backed accelerator for startups reimagining city life through climate solutions
Climate technology represents one of the most capital-intensive and complex sectors in the startup ecosystem. Unlike software companies that can iterate quickly and cheaply, climate tech startups often require significant upfront investment in R&D, extensive technical validation, regulatory approvals, and pilot projects with conservative enterprise customers. The path from prototype to commercial scale can take 7-10 years and require $50-100 million in funding across multiple stages.
Climate tech accelerators understand these unique challenges and provide specialized resources that general tech accelerators cannot match. They offer access to testing facilities, technical mentorship from domain experts, connections to utility companies and industrial partners for pilots, and networks of climate-focused investors who understand the sector's longer development timelines and capital requirements.
Leading climate tech accelerators provide access to expensive testing equipment, wet labs, and prototyping facilities that would cost startups hundreds of thousands of dollars to access independently. Greentown Labs, for example, offers shared lab space, machine shops, and specialized equipment for renewable energy testing. This infrastructure allows startups to validate their technology and iterate on hardware designs without massive upfront capital investment.
Climate tech companies often need to prove their solutions work at scale before attracting significant investment or customer adoption. Accelerators facilitate pilot partnerships with utilities, industrial companies, and government agencies that can provide real-world testing environments. These partnerships are crucial for generating performance data, understanding operational challenges, and building credibility with future customers.
Climate tech requires patient capital from investors who understand the sector's long development cycles and high capital requirements. Top accelerators have relationships with specialized climate VCs like Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, and Clean Energy Ventures, as well as corporate venture arms from companies like Shell, BP, and Chevron who are actively investing in clean technology solutions.
Many climate tech solutions require navigating complex regulatory environments, from EPA approval for new chemical processes to utility commission approval for grid-connected technologies. Accelerators provide access to regulatory experts who understand permitting processes, safety requirements, and policy frameworks that can significantly impact go-to-market strategies and timelines.
Based in Hawaii with a focus on Asia-Pacific markets, Elemental Excelerator takes a unique systems-level approach to climate challenges. The program provides up to $1 million in funding over 20 weeks and specializes in connecting startups with pilot opportunities across energy, transportation, agriculture, and circular economy sectors. Notable portfolio companies include Generate Capital (sustainable infrastructure), Opus 12 (carbon utilization), and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (fusion energy). Their Hawaii location provides access to a living laboratory for testing renewable energy and resilience solutions.
Techstars' dedicated sustainability program leverages the organization's global network of over 10,000 mentors and extensive corporate partnerships. The 13-week program provides $120K in funding and connects startups with potential corporate customers and strategic investors. Recent cohorts have included companies working on carbon capture, renewable energy storage, sustainable materials, and circular economy solutions. The program's strength lies in its ability to connect startups with enterprise customers and follow-on funding opportunities.
Greentown Labs in Boston is North America's largest CleanTech incubator, housing over 200 startups in a 100,000 square foot facility with specialized equipment for prototyping and testing. While not a traditional accelerator with fixed cohorts, Greentown provides workspace, technical resources, and a collaborative ecosystem for climate tech hardware companies. Portfolio companies have raised over $4 billion in funding collectively, with notable successes including Desktop Metal (3D printing), Altaeros (airborne wind turbines), and Boston Metal (steel production decarbonization).
Created by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Third Derivative focuses on startups working on systems-level solutions that can integrate across sectors. The New York-based program provides $350K in funding over six months and leverages RMI's deep expertise in energy systems transformation. The accelerator targets companies working on grid optimization, industrial decarbonization, transportation electrification, and buildings efficiency. Their technical advisory team includes some of the world's leading energy systems experts.
Based in the Pacific Northwest, Clean Energy Trust specializes in very early-stage clean energy technologies, often working with startups spinning out of universities or national laboratories. The program provides $250K in funding and access to technical validation resources through partnerships with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and local utilities. They focus on helping startups bridge the gap between proof-of-concept and commercially viable technology, with expertise in energy storage, renewable energy generation, and grid technologies.
Backed by BMW and operated by Techstars, URBAN-X focuses specifically on startups reimagining city life through climate and urban solutions. The 20-week program provides $150K in funding and unique access to BMW's resources for testing and validation. Portfolio companies work on everything from electric vehicle infrastructure to smart building technologies and urban agriculture. The program's strength lies in its focus on solutions that can be deployed at city scale and its connections to urban planning and automotive industry partners.
The renewable energy sector continues to offer significant opportunities for innovation, particularly in energy storage, grid integration, and next-generation solar and wind technologies. Startups working on long-duration energy storage, floating offshore wind, perovskite solar cells, and grid-scale battery management systems are particularly attractive to climate tech accelerators. The sector benefits from declining technology costs and supportive government policies including the Inflation Reduction Act.
Direct air capture, industrial carbon capture, and carbon utilization technologies represent a rapidly growing area of climate tech investment. Companies like Climeworks (direct air capture) and CarbonCure (concrete carbon utilization) have demonstrated commercial viability, creating opportunities for startups with innovative approaches to capturing and using CO2. These technologies benefit from carbon credit markets and increasing corporate commitments to carbon neutrality.
Agriculture accounts for approximately 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions, creating significant opportunities for climate tech solutions. Startups working on precision agriculture, alternative proteins, soil carbon sequestration, and sustainable farming practices are attracting increasing investor attention. Technologies that can reduce fertilizer use, improve crop yields, and enhance soil health while reducing emissions are particularly promising.
The circular economy represents a fundamental shift from linear "take-make-dispose" models to regenerative systems that eliminate waste and maximize resource utilization. Startups working on plastic recycling technologies, bio-based materials, industrial symbiosis platforms, and waste-to-energy solutions are finding strong accelerator support. These companies often benefit from corporate partnerships with consumer goods companies seeking to reduce their environmental impact.
Climate tech accelerators typically require more technical depth in applications than general accelerators. Startups should be prepared to demonstrate technical feasibility through prototypes, lab results, or peer-reviewed research. Intellectual property protection is often crucial, particularly for hardware-based solutions. Many programs require detailed technical due diligence including independent technical review by domain experts.
Climate tech accelerators evaluate startups on their potential for significant climate impact and commercial viability. Applications should clearly articulate the target market size, competitive landscape, and path to commercial scale. Understanding of regulatory requirements, customer adoption timelines, and capital requirements for scaling is essential. Many programs look for solutions that can achieve gigatonne-scale CO2 impact if successfully deployed globally.
Climate tech teams often require deep technical expertise in areas like materials science, chemical engineering, or energy systems. Accelerators look for teams that combine technical depth with business acumen and industry experience. Having team members with prior experience in the target industry (utilities, oil and gas, manufacturing) can be particularly valuable for understanding customer needs and regulatory requirements.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems, an MIT spinout accelerated by Elemental Excelerator, has raised over $2 billion to commercialize fusion energy technology. The company is developing compact fusion reactors using high-temperature superconductors and plans to demonstrate net energy gain by 2025. Their success demonstrates how climate tech accelerators can support breakthrough technologies with extremely long development timelines and high capital requirements.
Desktop Metal, which went through Greentown Labs, went public via SPAC at a $2.5 billion valuation. The company develops 3D printing technologies for metal manufacturing that can significantly reduce material waste and enable distributed manufacturing. Their success illustrates how climate tech can encompass advanced manufacturing technologies that reduce environmental impact across industrial sectors.
Twelve (formerly Opus 12), supported by Elemental Excelerator, has developed technology to convert CO2 into useful chemicals and fuels using renewable electricity. The company has raised over $80 million and established partnerships with major chemical companies to deploy their technology at industrial scale. Their success demonstrates the potential for carbon utilization technologies to create economic value while reducing emissions.
Climate tech startups face unique funding challenges due to long development cycles, high capital requirements, and technical risks. Traditional venture capital often lacks the patience and expertise for deep tech climate solutions. However, the landscape is improving with the emergence of specialized climate VCs, increased corporate venture investing, and government funding programs like ARPA-E in the US and similar initiatives globally.
Government programs play a crucial role in climate tech funding, particularly for early-stage R&D and demonstration projects. The US Inflation Reduction Act provides significant tax incentives for clean energy deployment. Similar programs exist globally, including the EU's Green Deal and China's massive clean energy investments. Climate tech accelerators often help startups navigate these programs and structure projects to maximize government support.
Large corporations are increasingly investing in climate tech startups both for strategic reasons and to meet sustainability commitments. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have committed billions to climate tech through their venture arms and sustainability funds. Energy companies, utilities, and industrial corporations are also active investors and customers for climate tech solutions.
Different regions have developed specializations in climate tech based on local industries, research strengths, and policy environments. Silicon Valley excels in software-enabled climate solutions and has deep venture capital expertise. The Northeast US (Boston, New York) is strong in hardware and energy systems. Europe leads in circular economy solutions and has supportive climate policies. Asia-Pacific is becoming a major hub for renewable energy manufacturing and deployment.
Climate change is a global challenge requiring international cooperation. Many climate tech accelerators facilitate cross-border partnerships and help startups access international markets. Programs like Clean Energy Ministerial's Innovation Working Group and Mission Innovation connect startups with global partners and funding opportunities. Understanding international markets and regulations is increasingly important for climate tech companies seeking to maximize their impact.
While accelerators provide valuable support and initial funding, climate tech startups often need multiple funding sources throughout their development journey. For the latest and most comprehensive list of investors and accelerators, visit our main funding database which includes detailed information on climate-focused venture capital firms, corporate venture arms, government funding programs, and other resources specifically interested in climate technology investments.
Climate tech development cycles are typically 7-10 years from initial concept to commercial deployment, significantly longer than software companies. This includes 2-3 years for R&D and prototyping, 2-3 years for pilot projects and validation, and 3-5 years for scaling to commercial volumes. Patient capital and specialized accelerator support are essential for navigating these timelines.
Climate tech accelerators provide specialized resources including access to testing facilities, technical validation expertise, connections to utility and industrial customers for pilots, climate-focused investor networks, and understanding of regulatory requirements. They also have longer program timelines and provide more capital to account for the hardware-intensive nature of many climate tech solutions.
IP protection is often crucial for climate tech hardware companies, particularly those developing novel materials, chemical processes, or manufacturing techniques. However, some startups choose open-source approaches to accelerate adoption and maximize climate impact. The strategy should align with business model and competitive dynamics in the specific market sector.
Government policies are often critical for climate tech success, providing market incentives through carbon pricing, renewable energy standards, tax credits, and procurement programs. Many climate tech business models depend on policy support, making regulatory and policy expertise essential. Successful climate tech accelerators help startups navigate policy landscapes and structure solutions to benefit from supportive policies.
Leading climate tech accelerators track environmental impact metrics including CO2 emissions reduced, renewable energy capacity deployed, waste diverted from landfills, and other relevant environmental indicators. Many use frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals or sector-specific metrics to measure portfolio impact alongside traditional financial metrics.
Climate tech represents one of the largest economic opportunities in history while addressing humanity's most pressing challenge. The right accelerator can provide the specialized support, technical resources, and industry connections needed to navigate this complex but rewarding sector. Research programs thoroughly, speak with alumni, and ensure alignment between your technology focus and the accelerator's expertise. For additional funding options and investor connections, explore our comprehensive database of climate tech investors to accelerate your impact on the planet.