IE Climate Tech Lab

Where bold ideas meet real-world climate innovation

Application closed

Bridging innovative climate tech research and entrepreneurship

Hands-on access to real technology & climate tech venture-building

Make an impact and access new opportunities

Ready to change the world?

The IE Climate Tech Lab is your gateway to the future of climate and deep tech entrepreneurship.

IE Climate Tech Lab is not just another course. It’s a flagship joint initiative between the Center of Entrepreneurship and the Sustainable Transition Hub, powered by CinnovatE, and launched in partnership with Tecnalia, Spain’s leading applied research center. This is your launchpad to make a real impact, work hands-on with breakthrough climate and circularity technologies, and connect with top scientists, founders, and investors. Be part of the first cohort shaping the future of climate innovation at IE.

This program is powered by the CinnovatE Project, an EU-funded initiative through the European Institute of Technology (EIT), supported Climate-KIC, and funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative.

Key Dates

First Info Session: Dec 15th, 16:00

Info Session Deck

Second Info Session: January 8th, 16:00

Application due: January 14th

Selection: January 16th

Kick-off: Week of Jan 26th

Program duration: Jan 29 - April 10

Climate Tech Demo: Compete in front of a jury with industry experts, scientists, and investors

Expected commitment: 5-10 hrs / week

Who should apply?

What makes this program unique?

Hands-on access

Work directly with real, cutting-edge climate technologies from Tecnalia, Spain’s top applied research center.

Mentorship & Network

Get guidance and build your network with world-class scientists, venture builders, and industry leaders shaping the future of climate-tech.

Career Launchpad

Develop key technical knowledge and skills to break into a career in climate tech. Pathways to internships, venture creation, and pitching at major summits.

Epic Incentives

Win a trip to the Energy Tech Summit in Bilbao, a chance to pitch at South Summit Madrid, receive a Climate Tech Lab Certificate upon completion, and access to future climate tech opportunities.

Program Highlights

Learn the knowledge to succeed in 10 sessions

Deep dive on climate tech fundamentals led by top guest speakers and industry experts. Deep Tech 101, technology transfer & IP, pitching for climate-tech, fundraising, and more.

6 mentoring sessions with technical & industry experts

Your team will be assigned a technical mentor and industry mentor to support you in your climate tech journey.

Team-building & monthly climate meetups

Build a cross-disciplinary team across IE schools like Sci Tech, Architecture & Design, Business, and more. Join our monthly meet-ups with guest speakers and networking with climate tech leaders.

Climate Tech Demo Day

Pitch your solution in a high-visibility environment to a panel of experts, investors, and business leaders. First place prize will win a trip to the Energy Summit in Bilbao.

What will you learn?

Climate Tech Fundamentals

Get up to speed on the science, business, and impact of climate innovation.

Deep Tech Entrepreneurship

Learn how to turn breakthrough research into real-world ventures.

Fundraising for Climate Tech

Learn about the climate-tech funding landscape and talk to real-world investors.

Go-to-Market Strategy

Develop, validate, and pitch commercialization plans for actual technologies.

Storytelling & Pitching

Master the art of communicating your vision to investors and partners.

Technology Deep-Dive

Deep dive into a cutting-edge, real-world technology alongside Tecnalia's researchers and venture-builders.

Meet our pilot partner, Tecnalia

Tecnalia is Spain’s largest applied research and technological development center and a recognized European benchmark in innovation. With over 1,500 experts and a strong presence in strategic sectors including the energy transition, sustainable mobility, smart manufacturing, and urban ecosystems, Tecnalia transforms cutting-edge research into market-ready solutions that accelerate decarbonization and climate resilience.

Tecnalia has been instrumental in creating H2SITE, a pioneering hydrogen technology company that recently closed a €36M Series B round, one of the most notable in Europe’s climate tech sector. This achievement attracted global investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates Fund), marking their first investment in Europe, and secured EIC Accelerator funding to deploy next-generation ammonia cracking systems for clean hydrogen production.

Learn more about Tecnalia

    What technologies will you have the chance to work on?

    Circular Economy & Sustainable Materials

    Advanced textile recycling and eco-friendly wood modification.

    Clean Energy & Space Innovation

    Space photovoltaic arrays powering the next wave of space exploration.

    Smart Recovery & Resource Recovery

    Carbon membranes & platinum group metal recycling.

    Apply now

    Share a 60-second video on why you're a great fit for the program. Applications due by January 12, 2026.

    Meet the team

    Matthieu Heusch

    Academic Director

    mheusch@faculty.ie.edu

    Caro Westberg

    Program Lead

    caroline.westberg@ie.edu