Eight startups and SMEs showcased their innovative carbon solution technologies last week on November 7 at the successful conclusion of the 2024 UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) Launchpad Programme.

UICCA’s Launchpad Programme aims to create a fast-track pathway for green startups to operate and scale in the UAE. Each cycle targets a specific theme in climate action, with this year dedicated to advancing carbon solutions that directly address decarbonisation efforts.

The eight Carbon Solutions Cycle participants were selected from over 70 global applicants based on the potential of their climate technologies, which span carbon capture and removal, waste-to-energy, hydrogen fuel cells, and carbon accounting. The startups have undertaken a three-month programme of mentorship, trainings, networking and workshops. The programme culminated in the showcase presentation of their ideas to an audience of investors, industry leaders, and senior representatives from the public and private sectors.

Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of UICCA, said: "The UAE is making incredible progress as an incubator for advanced technologies, and is the perfect testing ground for innovative climate solutions. Climate tech startups and small businesses, with their inherent creativity and agility, can make a unique and significant contribution to sustainable and effective energy transition. For them to succeed, they need a supportive ecosystem; that not only guides and mentors them but also connects them with investors, regulators, and industry leaders. This is precisely what UICCA aims to provide through our Launchpad Programme. This is more than a traditional accelerator; it’s a platform for driving forward innovation."

The eight Carbon Solutions Cycle startups were Waste-to-En, offering sustainable waste-to-energy solutions; Magdrive, tackling fugitive emissions in industrial processes; Decahydron, specialising in permanent carbon removal through mineralisation; FCI, developing advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology; Capture6, focused on water-positive carbon capture solutions; Sthyr, creating hydrogen fuel cell technology for low-power applications; Nantek, transforming plastic waste into energy; and Zeroe, providing advanced carbon accounting platforms.

Farouk Jivani, Founder and CEO of Zeroe, said: "The programme has been extremely valuable, connecting me with individuals in the UAE who have faced similar experiences. It’s enabled meaningful brainstorming sessions that truly resonate and drive actionable insights."

Carlos Uraga, CEO and Founder of Nantek, said: "The UICCA Launchpad was instrumental in helping us navigate the market landscape and understand the investor ecosystem in the UAE. It was an outstanding experience overall."

The 2024 Carbon Solutions Cycle cohort received mentorship, customised workshops  and support from an expert group of industry leaders and climate innovation specialists, including Oana Picincu, Associate Vice President - Sustainable Finance (ADGM), Pratap Raju, Founder and India  Country Director of New Energy Nexus (Climate Collective Foundation), Ezzedine Jradi, Head of Business Excellence and Sustainability (Emicool), Dr Haitham Al Beik, Director of Human-Centric Innovations (Expo City Dubai), Robert Kupstas, CEO (Ocean Harvest), Sofia Tulupova, Principal (Shorooq Partners), Dennis Ekow Sintim Aboagye, Innovation Management Lead (Siemens Innovation Center), Dr. Sivapalan Kathiravale, Head of R&D (Tadweer Group), Qais al Suwaidi, Vice President, Sustainability and Innovation (TAQA), and Rachel Redfern and Rahma Zain (The Climate Tribe).

The next cycle of the UICCA’s Launchpad Programme will focus on circular economy and be delivered in partnership with the UAE’s Ministry of Economy to seek solutions that aim to eliminate or repurpose waste across key industrial sectors, such as infrastructure, manufacturing, food and transportation. The programme is planned to commence in early 2025.