Building the next generation of cleantech champions

Bringing the UK’s cleantech and policymaking communities together to supercharge cleantech innovation

Why Cleantech for UK

The UK is home to a mature cleantech ecosystem, a thriving innovation scene and strong overall investment. It is one of the most important markets for cleantech globally, with 2022 VC investments breaking records for a second consecutive year.

However, this world-leading capability is not consistently converted into world-leading cleantech scale-ups. Smart, targeted interventions aimed at boosting early stage innovation, de-risking first commercial projects and making cleantech work for the whole country can supercharge UK cleantech, paving the way for a new generation of global technology champions.

As countries around the world move to enact ambitious measures aimed at boosting cleantech growth, we must act now to secure continued climate leadership and a better, prosperous future for all

Cleantech for UK is a new initiative to establish a dialogue between the UK’s policy-making community and those living the reality of creating, incubating, investing in and scaling cleantech companies

£3,2

billion

Invested in UK Cleantech 2022

Investment in UK Cleantech by Sector (2022)

The UK is one of the most important markets for cleantech globally

Top deals of the year were dominated by Energy & Power and Transport & Logistics.

Materials and Chemicals and Resources & Environment grew in 2022 for a diversified landscape, with deals in nanomaterials, carbon capture and waste management.

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Our executive summary

To fulfil climate goals and maintain competitive advantage in the face of increasing global ambition, the UK needs to bring forward a new generation of global cleantech champions. But the UK’s excellent R&D and strong cleantech investment scene has not yet translated into lasting results.

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Supercharging UK cleantech innovation in four steps

1

Better commercialisation of innovation, focussing on spin-out and scale-up

Deploying new models to turn innovation into impact, from novel cleantech incubation and acceleration strategies to commercial de-risking and securing demand for cleantech solutions, will accelerate UK cleantech scaleup

2

Stable, long-term policy signals and regulation

Long term demand signals are needed to provide certainty to encourage innovators and investors to enter cleantech markets.
Forward thinking, principles-based regulation which keeps up with the pace of innovation will enable faster growth

3

Strengthen cleantech ecosystem connections within the UK and abroad

Better synergies between different parts of the ecosystem will unlock new investments, boost regional initiatives and increase bargaining power on the global stage

4

Ensure all parts of value chain for development and deployment of cleantech

The UK cleantech ecosystem must ensure the entire value chain for cleantech solutions is well developed, including customers, suppliers, infrastructure, and logistics to connect supply and demand

Latest news

Rishi Sunak & Bill Gates attend Cleantech for UK launch event with leading cleantech start-ups, accelerators and investors

February 15, 2023