Where bold ideas meet real-world climate innovation
Application open nov 26th, 2026
Bridging innovative climate tech research and entrepreneurship
Hands-on access to real technology & climate tech venture-building
Make an impact and access new opportunities
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.
Info Session: October 19, 330pm - 430pm (Area 31)
Application due: Jan 15th, 2027
Selection: Jan 22nd, 2027
Kick-off: TBD
Program duration: 10 weeks
Climate Tech Demo: Compete in front of a jury with industry experts, scientists, and investors
Expected commitment: 10 hrs / week
Entrepreneurial thinkers:
If you’re curious, ambitious, and ready to solve big problems, this is for you.
Business, design, sustainability, tech, policy, or science students
All backgrounds welcome!
No deep tech experience needed
We’ll teach you everything you need to know. All you need is drive, creativity, and a passion for climate action.
This program is for Masters students and exceptional undergraduate students.
Work directly with real, cutting-edge climate technologies from Tecnalia, Spain’s top applied research center.
Get guidance and build your network with world-class scientists, venture builders, and industry leaders shaping the future of climate-tech.
Develop key technical knowledge and skills to break into a career in climate tech. Pathways to internships, venture creation, and pitching at major summits.
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.
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.
Your team will be assigned a technical mentor and industry mentor to support you in your climate tech journey.
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.
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.
Get up to speed on the science, business, and impact of climate innovation.
Learn how to turn breakthrough research into real-world ventures.
Learn about the climate-tech funding landscape and talk to real-world investors.
Develop, validate, and pitch commercialization plans for actual technologies.
Master the art of communicating your vision to investors and partners.
Deep dive into a cutting-edge, real-world technology alongside Tecnalia's researchers and venture-builders.
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.
Advanced textile recycling and eco-friendly wood modification.
Space photovoltaic arrays powering the next wave of space exploration.
Carbon membranes & platinum group metal recycling.
Share a 60-second video on why you're a great fit for the program. Applications due by January 12, 2026.
Academic Director
mheusch@faculty.ie.edu
Program Lead
caroline.westberg@ie.edu
