Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future by supporting climate ventures and climate innovation ecosystems
At CATAL1.5°T [ˈkætəlɪst], we believe that climate tech innovations are essential to keep global warming close to 1.5 °C.
While the Global South is particularly vulnerable to the extensive impacts of climate change, it also has fast-growing climate start-up ecosystems that are addressing these challenges with technology. Therefore, we focus on catalysing start-ups and young companies in developing and emerging markets, particularly in Latin America and West Africa. Our approach involves providing funding, knowledge resources and access to networks of domain experts, mentors and investors.
We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout our programmes and trainings, and we prioritise the assessment of environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts of the climate tech solutions we support.
Our work
Through our Climathons, pre-accelerator and accelerator programmes, we empower ideators, entrepreneurs and start-ups to develop innovative ideas and climate tech solutions and scale their ventures. We provide them with the financial, technical and mentoring support they need. We also collaborate with incubators, accelerators, venture capitalists, policymakers and other stakeholders to boost investments, drive dialogue and foster resilient climate innovation ecosystems.
Our global team
Pia Guyot
pia.guyot@giz.de
Julia Rueda Alvarez
julia.rueda-alvarez@giz.de
Milena Stolz
milena.stolz@giz.de
Ann-Christin Weldner
ann-christin.weldner@giz.de
Usama Tariq
usama.tariq@giz.de
Our team in Latin America
Felix Steinberg
felix.steinberg@giz.de
Erika Sanchez Herrera
erika.sanchezherrera@giz.de
Verena Pluckhan
verena.pluckhan@giz.de
Juana Martínez Macedo
juana.martinezmacedo@giz.de
Josué García Pérez
josue.garciaperez@giz.de
Our team in West Africa
Matthias Rehfeld
matthias.rehfeld@giz.de
Benjamin Meier
Benjamin.meier@giz.de
Fatou Doumbia
fatou.doumbia@giz.de
Alex Gbetie
alex.gbetie@giz.de
Abdallah Souissi
abdallah.souissi@giz.de
Our partners
CATAL1.5°T is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with top-tier global and regional partners. It is funded by the international Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Regional platforms are operated by partner networks consisting of leading start-up incubators and accelerators, as well as local teams of GIZ and EIT Climate-KIC.
I&P
Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) is a pioneering impact investment group dedicated to financing and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tec de Monterrey
Tecnológico de Monterrey is a leading Mexican private and non-profit university committed to higher technological education in Latin America. Tec’s world-class Eugenio Garza Lagüera Entrepreneurship Institute operates various entrepreneurship and venture-building programmes.
EIT Climate-KIC
EIT Climate-KIC is Europe’s leading climate innovation agency, supporting cities, regions, countries and industries to meet their climate ambitions through systems innovation.
GIZ GmbH
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH provides worldwide services in international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work. With its partners, GIZ develops effective solutions that offer people better prospects and sustainably improve their living conditions.
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.
