University of Birmingham extends Climate Innovation Platform to fifth cohort

Launched in 2021, the Climate Innovation Platform (CIP) provides tailored packages of support for SME's committed to driving energy technology innovation. Supported by HSBC UK and delivered in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult, the four-year programme has already supported more than 80 sustainability-focused innovators across the UK and beyond, and is now looking for participants to be part of the fifth cohort, commencing in January 2026.

Businesses enrolled in the CIP programme will have access to a range of resources, including funding, business engagement, incubation and acceleration support, mentoring and investor opportunities, regulatory advice, and a dedicated support team on hand throughout the programme. Additionally, they will benefit from access to incubation space at Tyseley Energy Park, located in Birmingham's Green Energy and Innovation Quarter.

Professor Sara Walker, Director, Birmingham Energy Institute, University of Birmingham, said:

"By supporting the growth of these businesses, we are accelerating the development of next-generation, low-carbon technologies to help meet the UK's net zero ambitions."

Previous cohorts have included companies across diverse sectors, including hydrogen, transport, housing, data, digital, and renewable platform solutions.

Michael Boxwell, CEO at Voltempo and CIP Alumni, said:

“The Climate Innovation Platform is a unique ecosystem where start-up business, academia and government collaborate to drive real innovation and investment. It allows start-up’s to ‘Stand on the Shoulders of Giants’, allowing small companies to deliver enormous benefits.

For Voltempo, the Climate Innovation Platform gave us the resources and the opportunity to not only get established, but become market leader in our segment, generating over £24 million in revenues for our company, and over £76 million of investment in green zero-emission Heavy Goods Vehicle technology in the wider UK economy.

It’s been a privilege to be part of this network and see how it accelerates climate-focused solutions and high-impact partnerships across the Midlands.”

Natalie Gregoire Skeete, Head of Sustainability and Head of Societal Purpose, HSBC UK, said:

"HSBC’s support has been instrumental in creating a dynamic community of climate-focused start-ups, many now based within the growing CleanTech innovation cluster at Tyseley Energy Park (TEP) in East Birmingham. Together, we continue to drive regional growth, foster collaboration, and accelerate progress towards net zero."

Applications for Climate Innovation Platform Cohort 5 are open until 11:00 on Monday 1 December. To find out more and apply, visit the Climate Innovation Platform pages.