The KlimUp program by the City of Zurich is a fantastic opportunity for early-stage climate tech startups to receive funding and support. As Bluelion, we support the application process by reviewing submissions and contributing to the shortlisting of startups. Having been involved in shaping the application structure and engaging experts for the jury, we strongly understand what the evaluators—many of whom are experienced investors—tend to look for.

Based on this insight, here are some key tips to help you strengthen your application and maximize your chances of being selected:

Key Tips to help you strengthen your KlimUp application

1. Demonstrate Founder-Problem Fit

The jury wants to see why you and your team are the right people to solve this specific problem. Highlight your skills, experience and industry knowledge that give you an edge. Show that you are capable and have a deep understanding of the problem.

2. Show Long-Term Commitment and “Skin in the Game”

Building a climate tech startup is no walk in the park, therefore, perseverance is key. The jury wants to see that you are committed for the long haul. Prove this by showing that:

• You are already working mainly on your startup (it is not just a side project anymore).
• You have personally invested time and money into the business.
• You are intrinsically motivated to solve this issue, regardless of obstacles.

3. Highlight Your Unfair Advantage

Your startup needs to have a competitive edge that makes it hard for others to copy. Your unfair advantage could be:

• Intellectual property (patents, proprietary technology)
• Unique access to data
• Deep industry-specific knowledge
• Established relationships with key stakeholders

4. Emphasize Innovation

Your solution should be truly new and disruptive, not just a copy of something that exists in another market. Show that there are no similar solutions and highlight why your approach will change the status quo.

5. Showcase Scalability

The jury looks for solutions with the potential for rapid growth. Even at an early stage, show how your startup can expand significantly without costs increasing at the same rate. Scalability means that as your revenue grows, your operational costs should not rise proportionally. Demonstrate how your business model, technology, or go-to-market strategy enables efficient and sustainable scaling over time.

6. Provide Proof of Market Demand (Traction)

Nothing speaks louder than real market validation. If you are a software startup, show that you have paying customers or at least a few paid pilot projects. If you are a hardware or deep tech startup, provide letters of intent (LOIs) or pre-purchase agreements from potential customers.

7. Have a Clear Business Model

Make sure you understand who will pay for your product and how. Do your research on:

• Willingness to pay in your target market
• Pricing models for similar solutions
• The total addressable market (TAM), with a specific initial niche focus
• Geographic focus—starting with a well-defined segment rather than trying to target multiple markets at once

8. Make Your Application Easy to Understand

Most reviewers will not have your level of technical expertise. Simplify your concept as much as possible. Avoid jargon and complex explanations—use metaphors, examples, and clear visuals instead. If reviewers quickly grasp your idea, they are more likely to see its potential.

9. Show Investor Interest

Since KlimUp is a matching fund, securing institutional investors is essential. If you already have investor interest or commitments, mention it. This signals that your project has strong potential beyond grants.

10. Demonstrate VC-Backability

Your startup should have the potential for at least a 10x return to investors. Show that you are aiming for a scalable business model and a potential exit (acquisition or IPO). If your business is unlikely to attract VC investment, securing KlimUp funding will be more challenging.

11. Quantify Your Climate Impact

The jury is looking for startups that can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. Clearly quantify the potential impact by comparing:

• The current emissions status quo
• The emissions reductions your solution can achieve at scale

12. Show Impact in Zurich

Even though climate change is a global issue, it is important to demonstrate local impact in Zurich. The City of Zurich provides the grants, so if your startup has potential collaboration opportunities with Zurich-based organizations, highlight them. While local impact is welcome, it is not required to get selected.

13. Attach a Strong Pitch Deck

Your application has limited space, but you can upload additional documents. The jury will always review your pitch deck, so ensure that:

• The information in the deck matches your application.
• The deck is clear, compelling, and well-structured.
• Key aspects like team, traction, market size, and financials are covered.

14. Research the Expert Jury

Check the KlimUp website to see who the expert jury members are. Many are VCs, so make sure your application speaks their language:

• High scalability and return potential
• Market traction and clear business model
• Strong competitive advantage and defensibility
• Clear impact on the reduction of CO2 emission

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, these insights will help you to craft a strong KlimUp application that aligns with what the jury is looking for. Make sure your startup demonstrates founder fit, scalability, innovation, and first traction.

Important Note: This is merely a list of an ideal application, but none of the selected startups so far have checked all these boxes. The list serves as guidance on what to highlight if achieved, but it is not a checklist that must be completed to be eligible. KlimUp is designed for pre-seed startups, so don’t stress if you haven’t reached every milestone yet. Best of luck with your application!