IE University joins Cleantech for Iberia, a pioneering coalition to drive sustainable innovation
IE School of Science and Technology will enhance the Cleantech ecosystem through open-innovation initiatives led by the Impact Xcelerator program.
Lisbon/Madrid - This week, at WebSummit, IE University manifested its support to technology and the green transition by joining Cleantech for Iberia, a groundbreaking coalition aimed at propelling Iberian Clean Technologies to new heights. This coalition, comprised of 18 influential members, including key investors, innovative scaleup companies, and prominent universities across Spain and Portugal, boasts a collective fund size exceeding €1 billion. With a solid network, Cleantech for Iberia strategically brings together leaders in policy, investment, and innovation to catalyze a transformative impact on Iberia's cleantech economy.
Europe is currently navigating a complex landscape with energy and climate change at its core. Both challenges are closely interrelated and highlight the importance of a swift transition to a sustainable economy with technology and innovation at the forefront. While the last financial quarter witnessed the narrowest-ever gap in EU-North America investment, there is a looming risk of falling behind. To ensure competitiveness and lay the groundwork for future economic growth, the establishment of a robust Iberian cleantech economy becomes imperative.
The launch of this coalition marks the initiation of a collective cleantech movement in Iberia. The coalition's mission is to expedite the deployment of ambitious climate and industrial solutions, creating an ecosystem that harmonizes capital, technology, and policy to propel Iberian net-zero industrial leadership.
“IE University will assume an pivotal role as a catalyst and ecosystem builder, as an academic member of Iberia Cleantech coalition” said Isabela del Alcázar, Global Head of Sustainability at IE University. “This involves fostering dialogue between investors and innovators from the coalition, while incorporating other voices such as civil society and policy makers to build new relationships, develop common narratives, and cocreate joint solutions to tackle climate change and energy transition, through technology, in Iberia”, Del Alcázar added.
“For the first time ever, the Iberian Cleantech community has united to speak with one voice. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, positioning the Iberian Peninsula as Europe's next clean industrial hub,” declared Cleantech for Iberia Director, Bianca Dragomir.
IE University’s School of Science and Technology will contribute to enriching the Cleantech ecosystem through specific open-innovation initiatives led by the Impact Xcelerator program. This collaboration responds to IE University’s purpose fostering positive change by bringing together the expertise of researchers to support the objectives of Clean Tech for Iberia.
Over the past few years, momentum in the Iberian Cleantech scene has surged significantly. According to Cleantech for Iberia's investment data, 2022 witnessed a €676 million investment in Iberian Cleantech, reflecting a six-fold increase over the previous five years.
Spain and Portugal, blessed with abundant sources of clean energy such as wind and solar, a burgeoning green hydrogen economy, and a robust existing industrial base, possess numerous competitive advantages in frontier sectors like green steel, green fertilizers, and long-duration energy storage.
“Spain and Portugal have all the ingredients to become Europe's next industrial leaders,” asserted Julia Reinaud, Senior Director at Breakthrough Energy, who moderated the cleantech panel at Web Summit. “Scaling promising technologies requires capital, technology, partnerships, and policy, and Cleantech for Iberia's newly launched coalition is poised to create the collaborative ecosystem that will accelerate the deployment of clean technologies across the region.”
About Cleantech for Iberia
Launched in 2023, Cleantech for Iberia stands as the driving force behind the pioneers developing, deploying, and investing in clean technologies across the Iberian Peninsula. The coalition, supported by IE University and powered by Cleantech Group, Breakthrough Energy, Zubi Group, and BBVA, brings together a diverse array of top investors, innovators, and universities to bridge the gap between the cleantech community and policy leaders.