The Cleantech accelerator of CDP’s National Accelerator Network, with main partner Eni, will select up to 12 early-stage startups for the 2023 edition of the acceleration programme; Selected startups will receive a pre-seed investment of up to EUR 80,000 from CDP Venture Capital, LVenture Group and Elis, and the opportunity to access important post-acceleration follow-on; The start-ups will be able to develop co-innovation projects with corporate partners Acea, Maire Tecnimont, Microsoft and Vodafone, also availing themselves of the collaboration of the CNR Institute for Atmospheric Pollution (CNR-IIA). Today sees the reopening of the doors to the best early-stage startups active in the field of decarbonisation ZERO, the Cleantech Accelerator of the CDP National Accelerator Network, launched by CDP Venture Capital, main partner Eni through the Joule business school, LVenture Group and ELIS, and supported by corporate partners Acea, Maire Tecnimont, Microsoft and Vodafone. For the 2023 edition, ZERO will select up to 12 Cleantech startups with software or hardware innovations that help accelerate carbon neutrality processes in the following fields:

1. Alternative energy sources: solutions to decarbonise energy production, transport and storage;
2. Circular economy and waste management: solutions to manage, valorise and recycle waste materials and transform them into new resources;
3. Sustainable operating systems: solutions to digitise energy, industrial and production systems while reducing environmental impact;
4. Sustainable and interconnected communities: solutions for the sustainable development of cities, infrastructures and the territory.

Startups can apply by 3 April at the website: zeroacceleratorcleantech.com. Two roadshow appointments are also planned, where startups can meet directly with the accelerator’s partners on 24 February and 21 March. Upon joining the acceleration programme, startups will receive a “pre-seed” investment of up to a maximum of EUR 80,000 from CDP Venture Capital, LVenture Group, and ELIS, which will support the startups in a five-month path focused on growth preparatory to market access and in the definition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on which to generate impact. Thanks to the experts from Eni and corporate partners Acea, Maire Tecnimont, Microsoft and Vodafone, the start-ups will be able to develop co-innovation projects in an industry-driven environment at Eni’s Gazometro hub in Rome Ostiense. For the 2023 edition of ZERO, start-ups will also be able to benefit from the support during acceleration and co-innovation of technical mentors from the CNR Institute for Atmospheric Pollution (CNR-IIA), the accelerator’s new Scientific Partner. Participation in ZERO gives startups access to a vast network of investors active in the field of sustainability and impact investing: among the startups accelerated in the first two editions, several have already raised additional capital, including from major international venture capital funds.