UNDP ImpactAim Climate Change Technology Accelerator (CCTA) is looking for ventures, targeting Energy Efficiency and Renewables challenges

July 3, 2020

UNDP in Armenia’s ImpactAim Venture Accelerator, in cooperation with Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) and ISTC - Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center Foundation, is calling Armenian and international tech ventures to apply for Climate Change Technology Accelerator (CCTA) 2020 focused on “Energy Efficiency and Renewables”.

The program targets the current challenges of energy efficiency and renewables sectors, such as:

- Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Energy Demand Management: AI for data analyzing and decision making;

- Passive and Smart living environments;

- Efficient Heating and/or Cooling Solutions: Heating and/or cooling technologies that are energy efficient and supplied from renewable sources;

- Hydrogen Energy;

- Microgrids Based on Renewable Energy;

- Reduction of losses in transmission and transformation systems.

“Today technologies have the ability to solve the global challenges of energy efficiency and renewables. Climate Change Technology Accelerator is looking for innovative solutions that are able to make the world a cleaner, prosperous and better place”, noted Bagrat Yengibaryan, Director Enterprise Incubator Foundation.

Armenian and foreign teams and startups in the idea, pre-seed, seed and growth stages, as well as mature companies, who offer solutions in the energy efficiency and renewables sectors can apply for the program. All the interested candidates should fill in the online application form by 15 July 2020 here.

“This program is about the future: the future of Armenia as a country that produces a new generation of tech solutions, the future of environment – specifically how our use of energy affects it, the future of development – which is more and more about leveraging the power of the private sector,” said Dmitry Mariyasin, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia.

The 16-week program is aimed at uniting technological and innovative ideas, solutions and products for joining the efforts to transform the energy sector in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The participants will have the opportunity to work with leading business and tech international mentors. They will be guided in all phases of business development, including development of product/service, team composition, value proposition, market strategy, customer traction, business model, funding strategy, etc. 

“Very excited to build on the experience accumulated during CCTA 1st and 2nd batches, and this time bring the acceleration program to a new sector. We intent to explore the applications of technologies as AI and Data Science in the energy efficiency and renewables sector, and strongly believe it can lead to revolutionary results,” noted Areg Gevorgyan, CEO of ISTC Foundation.

The most promising ventures will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas in front of the evaluating committee, who will select the ones worth monetary awards of up to USD 10,000; participate in worldwide startup targeting events (such as Web Summit, Rise Conference, etc.); implement the pilot projects for further scaling in the market; pitch face to face or online to worldwide investors; be introduced to VCs, investment channels and finance sources.

UNDP ImpactAim CCTA is funded by UNDP Country Investment Facility, Russia-UNDP Trust Fund for Development, Asian Development Bank Ventures Facility, supported by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia and implemented jointly with the Engineering City, which will provide infrastructure, both technical and environmental, to help startups for piloting their projects and National Instruments Armenia.