Matnex from our very first Cambridge Cohort has announceed a partnership to build the world’s largest materials science supercomputer.
The Venture Launchpad
The startup accelerator for the climate emergency
Applications are open now to start 15th May 2025
Image Reaforma are repurposing construction and manufacturing waste into low carbon building materials
The Carbon13 Venture Launchpad accelerates founders working on the solutions to the climate emergency.
This 20 week programme is about highly bespoke, one-on-one support to make your startup investable and investment ready, and to maximise its potential for emissions reduction and climate impact. You’ll also pitch for investment from Carbon13 of £200,000.
The Venture Launchpad plugs you into an unrivalled ecosystem for climate entrepreneurship that’s already worked with over 1000 founders and invested in 76 startups, creating a future decarbonisation potential of 500 million tonnes of CO2e per year.
This is doing, not talking.
Who should apply to the Venture Launchpad
The Venture Launchpad supports founding teams of early stage software or deeptech/science-based startups.
To be eligible for the Launchpad, your startup should:
- Have two or more founders.
- Be registered in the UK or be able to.
- Be committed to building a venture with the ambition of reducing emissions by millions of tonnes a year – even if you don’t yet know how your idea will reach that target.
What we look for in a startup team differs depending on whether it's a software or a deeptech/science-based venture. Likewise, our support adapts to the very different challenges faced by those founders.
The strongest ecosystem for climate tech is now your personal brains trust
Our ecosystem is one of the strongest and richest support systems in climate tech entrepreneurship today. Think of us as one giant brains trust focused on entrepreneurship and carbon reduction.
Domain Experts
over 350 with sector specific, entrepreneurial, and technical expertise, mission driven for the climate
Corporate partners
such as EY, Arm, and Barclays Eagle Labs, eager to work with startups
Entrepreneurs in Residence
who embed into your startup. All are successful founders themselves.
Carbon experts
who guide and push you to maximise your carbon impact, then quantify it for a Carbon Case.
Investor partners
support you on your investment readiness and your long term fundraising strategy.
At a glance
Across two Phases of ten weeks, founders will rapidly develop their venture.
01 - The key benefits
- Carbon Pitch and carbon case for net 10 million tonnes of CO2e emissions reduction per year
- 1-1 weekly deep dives with Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (all successful founders)
- Milestones on product/market fit, go-to-market, and team and culture.
- Investment Pitch and strategy for raising the next round
- Opportunity for pre-seed investment from Carbon13 of £200,000. This is done through a SAFE and is expected to convert for roughly 10% equity, depending on variables such as your company's valuation.
- Investor networking
- Presentation at a Climate Innovation Showcase to partners and investors
02 - The application process
- Early bird applications for Venture Launchpad Cohort 5 will close 10th March.
- The final deadline for applications will be the beginning of April.
- Applications are assessed on a rolling basis so we strongly recommend you do not wait for the deadline but apply as soon as you are ready.
- The first step is a written application form. This will also require you to film a two minute video.
- Successful candidates will then be invited to interview.
03 - The Venture Launchpad structure
- The next cohort starts 15th May 2025
- 20 week programme is split across two Phases of 10 weeks.
- 4-5 hours of mandatory, and 4-5 hours opt-in programming a week, all remote.
- Opportunity to pitch for investment of £200,000 at the end of Phase 1. Only invested companies progress to Phase 2.
- In-person pitch opportunity at our Showcase in 2025, to an audience of invited investors and partners.
Puja Balachander walks with Venture Launchpad alumna Amy Ma of Danu Robotics
Got questions?
Book a short call with Carbon13’s Director of Venture, Puja Balachander. She can answer questions on eligibility, how to make a good application, or whether the programme is right for your startup.
News, raises & milestones
Learn more about Carbon13’s progress and community. Here we share fundraising news from our ventures, collaborations with our partners, and our own news, opinion, and milestones.
Climate Takes Critical Materials
Welcome to Carbon13's podcast "Climate Takes" where we ask founders, investors and builders for their "takes" on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency? On Climate Takes...
KI Hydrogen secures £446k project
The partnership between Wales & West Utilities and KI Hydrogen (from Cambridge Cohort 4 of our Venture Builder Programme) continues to flourish as they scale biomass electrolysis to produce cost-effective green hydrogen. After successfully completing the initial...
Podcast – Climate Takes Venture Builders
Welcome to Carbon13's podcast "Climate Takes" where we ask founders, investors and builders for their "takes" on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency? On Climate Takes...
Remy Launches AI Powered App
One of Carbon13's portfolio has launched a ground-breaking recipe app that combines AI and user data to reduce food waste by 70%. The app, named Remy, allows users to see: What’s in their kitchens When it’s going to expire The meals they can make with their...
Podcast – Climate Takes Capital
Welcome to Carbon13's podcast "Climate Takes" where we ask special guests for their "takes" on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency? On Climate Takes Capital, we’re looking...
SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS WITH BARCLAYS EAGLE LABS
We’re proud to partner with Barclays Eagle Labs for the Venture Launchpad, this next cohort will be our third together. Carbon13 and Barclays Eagle Labs share the mission of supporting the UK’s entrepreneurial community to scale and succeed.
Barclays Eagle Labs provides a wealth of support to the Venture Launchpad, including expertise, events, access to mentors, and opportunities for alumni.
The result is an even stronger ecosystem for founders: the pooled knowledge, networks and resources create opportunities for our startups not just for the duration of the programmes, but for the whole scaling journey.
Our Beliefs
