Applications are now open for the inaugural group of climate tech companies seeking to scale their innovations through EarthScale, a new UK-wide programme focused on supporting commercial growth in climate-focused ventures.
EarthScale is a national initiative set to run for three years. It brings together a collaborative network of six major universities: Imperial College London, which is leading the programme, alongside the universities of Nottingham, Cranfield, Derby, Exeter, and Leeds. The project is supported by £5 million in funding from the Research England Development Fund.
The aim is to foster a long-term ecosystem that connects regional hubs across the country. By doing so, the initiative intends to accelerate the commercial readiness of climate technologies emerging from university research and early-stage ventures.
Although climate-focused innovations are being developed in labs and incubators throughout the UK, many promising solutions never make it beyond the prototype phase. The transition from a working concept to market deployment is both costly and technically demanding. This “scale-up gap” often leaves startups unable to progress without targeted support.
To address this, EarthScale’s network will give selected businesses access to world-class research infrastructure, technical guidance, and manufacturing capabilities. The University of Nottingham Energy Institute, which is leading the Nottingham regional hub, is actively seeking applicants who are developing impactful solutions in climate technology.
According to Steve Closs, Business Development Manager at the Energy Institute, the time is right to focus national efforts on the scale-up stage. “There is a real opportunity here for the UK to lead in the global shift toward a low-carbon economy. While support for early development is strong, helping companies move beyond that stage and into full commercial deployment is where the greatest impact can be made,” he said.
Closs added that the programme is particularly designed to help businesses overcome barriers related to technical infrastructure, policy navigation, and market entry. Startups and spin-outs accepted into the programme will also benefit from enterprise development support, connections with talent and peers, and guidance in regulatory compliance.
The deadline to apply for EarthScale’s first year-long cohort is 7 September 2025. The programme is expected to begin on 1 October for selected participants.
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