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Cambridge Cleantech – a growing global network of climate focused innovation

When we built our first Future Business Centre in Cambridge back in 2013, we knew there were certain organisations that needed to be part of our impact community from the start. And one of them was Cambridge Cleantech. Celebrating its 10th anniversary last year, the UK’s largest cleantech member organisation is growing and expanding its reach well beyond Cambridge – in fact, it has welcomed international members over the years from countries such as Israel, India, North and South America and Japan. Meet the team, as part of our Climate in Focus campaign.

After 10 years promoting climate technologies, it is heartening to see Cleantech at the top of the agenda. There has never been a more urgent time to support the cleantech sector and we will continue to play a pivotal role in bringing climate focused innovators, corporates, investors and academics together” Martin Garratt, CEO, Cambridge Cleantech

Cambridge Cleantech started as a hub for Cambridge-based innovators – but fairly soon expanded its vision and activities. Members to the network now range from start-ups with smart ideas in sustainable energy, water and waste, to multinational conglomerates working to reduce their environmental impact. Through its events, resources, initiatives and networks it connects innovators, corporates, academics, SMEs and investors and runs a number of special interest groups – around topics such as sustainable smart homes, low carbon vehicles to finance and circular economy.

Cleantech Venture Day – held on the 18th & 19th of May, in London and online – promises to help accelerate the race to a net zero economy by giving climate-positive businesses the chance to pitch to over 60 cleantech-focused investors. The team expect at least 200 people from around the globe to attend the two-day event which will bring together innovative cleantech companies with experienced fund managers, business angels and corporate investors.

Martin adds, “Since we started organising Cleantech Venture Day events 6 years ago, we have helped pitching companies raise over £135m in funding from our database of over 300 cleantech sector focused investors. I would encourage any investment-ready cleantech SME to apply to pitch and to contact us if they need any further information.”

Not only are we proud to continue to support this event but have also partnered with Cambridge Cleantech on European projects such as Scale-Up which connects large corporates with smaller cleantech innovators.

So, what is the future for cleantech? What do we hope to see over the next few years? Sylvie Russell, Head of Operations at the organisation says, “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more hydrogen solutions” says Sylvie. “Since COP26 and the energy crisis, the government has realised it needs to look for new clean energy solutions, which has raised the profile of hydrogen.”

She also thinks that Covid-19 has increased interest in companies that improve indoor air quality.

These companies were there before, but nobody was thinking about it. Now when you have a new building or are retrofitting an existing one, businesses are also thinking more about what they can put in place to keep everybody safe” says Sylvie.

Cambridge Cleantech hopes to continue to geographically expand its memberships and grow its national and international presence. It firmly believes that innovative solutions are out there, ready to grow and tackle the climate emergency, and hopes that through its activities it can make a real difference for the planet.

For more information about the upcoming venture day, please visit http://www.cleantechday.com/london/

And if you are interested in applying to pitch, go to https://cambridgecleantech.org.uk/2020/07/28/cleantech-venture-day-application-form-to-pitch/