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Let's keep global warming close to 1.5 °C – by supporting & funding climate start-ups

We catalyse exceptional start-ups and young companies to scale climate technologies sustainably in developing and emerging markets.

The CATAL1.5°T [ˈkætəlɪst] Initiative’s ambition is to boost investments in promising early-stage climate ventures from the Global South.

Climate tech alone won’t save the world, but without tech solutions, we don’t stand a chance. That’s why we promote climate tech innovations by providing grant funding, know-how and access to networks of domain experts, mentors and investors.

To ensure long-lasting impact, we also strengthen regional climate tech innovation ecosystems. In all of what we do, we promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). And we pay close attention to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts of the climate tech solutions we support.

We start in Latin America and West Africa.

What’s new at CATAL1.5°T?

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News

CATAL1.5°T present at the Latin American Impact Investment Forum 2024

05.03.2024Erika Sánchez, GIZ

In the framework of the Latin American Impact Investment Forum (FLII), which took place from 27 to 29 February 2024 in the city of Merida, Yucatan in Mexico, the CATAL1.5°T Initiative led the panel "Can impact investment in Climatech contribute to green recovery in Latin America?"

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Become a CATAL1.5°T Partner in West Africa

06.03.2024Alex Calvin Gbetie, GIZ

Apply to become a CATAL1.5°T ESO in West Africa and receive a grant up to 40,000 Euros to implement the CATAL1.5°T Pre-Accelerator Phase I in your local ecosystem in West Africa, to build a portfolio of climate tech ventures, offering solutions for reducing GHG emissions.

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Join the CATAL1.5°T Pre-Accelerator program Latin America

08.02.2024Alba Seibt, GIZ

Start-ups with an existing prototype and/or in the pre-commercialisation phase can benefit from the grant fund, specialised content and workshops, mentoring, thematic experts and networking.

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News

Launch of the CATAL1.5°T video

26.10.2023The catalist-Team

This video explains the CATAL1.5°T Initiative's purpose in less than three minutes

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News

We launched the CATAL1.5°T Platform West Africa @ Africa Startup Connect Week

23.11.2023Anna Deniz, GIZ

On November 23, 2023, Berlin hosted the launch of the CATAL1.5°T Platform West Africa, bringing together innovators and investors.

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News

CATAL1.5°T at the UNCCC Climate week in Panama

01.11.2023Milena Stolz, GIZ

The CATAL1.5°T Latin American platform hosted a one-hour panel discussion on opportunities & challenges for Climate Tech entrepreneurship promotion in Latin America on October 23rd, 2023.

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News

Launch of CATAL1.5°T Acceleration program for Latin American climate-tech startups

01.11.2023Milena Stolz, GIZ

Start-ups can now apply to receive access to workshops, experts, and the opportunity to receive funding up to €100,000 euros.

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Event

Launch of the CATAL1.5°T Platform West Africa

23.11.2023 - 13:00 UTC+1

GIZ and Climate-KIC present CATAL1.5°T at the Africa Start-up Connect Week in Berlin

CATAL1.5°T for start-ups

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Climathons

You've got an innovative idea to tackle climate change? Develop it at our Climathons (climate hackathons) – together with other innovators and entrepreneurs from your region!

Pre-accelerator

Your climate solution needs a boost to hit the market? No problem with our pre-accelerator programme: Get from early stage to market readiness with technical support and grants!

Accelerator

You already have a MVP and first users? Our accelerator programme provides you with tailored coaching and mentoring and repayable grants. Let's find a way through the "valley of death" and scale your business!
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For incubators & accelerators

Your organisation is interested in a deep dive into climate tech and sustainability? We have the know-how and tools for you: learn more about climate tech, ESG and DEI in start-up programmes and strengthen your network. Be part of our trainings and dialogues with other incubators and accelerators, the VC community and policymakers.
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For investors

We connect you with investment-ready climate ventures, that take ESG seriously and have expert-validated impact forecasts. So no worries about greenwashing. You can also take part in pioneering trainings on climate performance projections and ESG in venture capital. Join our network and add climate tech to your portfolio.

Applications are open!

We're looking for founders with transformative ideas, solutions and business models that tackle global warming. With our Climathons and pre-accelerator and accelerator programmes, you get the financial, technical and mentoring support you need.

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About the CATAL1.5°T Initiative

The Initiative is is funded by the international Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with top-tier global and regional partners.

Learn about us
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Get insights and inspiration

Dive into insights from our ongoing and completed programmes, best practices and lessons learned as we work together to build climate ventures for a net-zero world.
Go to insights

Where is CATAL1.5°T active?

The CATAL1.5°T Initiative is operated by a network of global and regional partners. Latin America and West Africa are the first markets where we’re starting.

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    Peru

    Map dominican republic

    Dominican Republic

    Map togo

    Togo

    Map guinea

    Guinea

  • Map mexico

    Mexico

    Map costa rica

    Costa Rica

    Senegal

    Senegal

    Map cote d ivoire

    Côte d’Ivoire

  • Map honduras

    Honduras

    Map colombia

    Colombia

    Map niger

    Niger

    Map burkina faso

    Burkina Faso

  • Map el salvador

    El Salvador

    Map argentina

    Argentina

    Map mauretanien

    Mauritania

    Map benin

    Benin

Frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? Here you can find answers. If you have further questions, contact us via the contact form below.