Swiss Re Foundation Is Looking for Climate Startups in 8 Global Cities
If you are building an early-stage climate startup with a working product already being piloted or sold, the Swiss Re Foundation’s Shine 2027 programme is now accepting applications.
This is not a scholarship and it is not meant for people who only have a climate-business idea. Shine is an accelerator and grant programme for young ventures developing practical solutions for urban climate challenges, with applications closing on 15 September 2026.
Who Can Apply for Shine 2027?
The quickest eligibility test is your startup’s age, location and stage of development. Applicants should generally have an enterprise that is:
- 0–4 years old
- Already operating with a minimum viable product (MVP)
- Running a pilot or beginning commercial activity
- Building a scalable and financially sustainable business
- Solving a measurable urban climate problem
An idea sitting in a PowerPoint presentation is therefore unlikely to be enough. Swiss Re is looking for ventures that have already started testing whether their solution works in the real world.
Which Countries and Cities Are Eligible?
Shine 2027 is geographically targeted rather than globally open without restrictions. Your venture needs to operate in or serve one of these eight participating cities:
Bangalore, Bratislava, Cape Town, London, Manila, Mexico City, New York or Zurich.
That means, for example, a startup founder living in Pakistan or Nigeria would not qualify merely because the company works on climate change. The venture would need the required operational connection to one of the participating Shine locations.
What Kind of Climate Startup Is Swiss Re Looking For?
Shine 2027 focuses on innovations that could make cities lower-carbon, more resilient and more inclusive.
Relevant areas include:
- Clean energy and energy transition
- Building efficiency and electrification
- Sustainable transportation
- Waste and circular-economy solutions
- Urban nature and land use
- Climate data, governance and monitoring
The key word is urban. Your solution should address a problem cities actually face rather than making a broad environmental claim with no clear customer, implementation pathway or measurable impact.
How Much Funding Can You Receive?
The grant is not identical in every city. Swiss Re’s official Shine page confirms location-specific funding, with awards differing between chapters. For example, the Manila chapter lists USD 30,000, while other locations use their own currencies and grant levels.
Programme information also describes an initial grant component alongside further funding after successful programme milestones. There may later be opportunities for substantially larger follow-on support for ventures that demonstrate genuine ability to scale, but applicants should not treat future investment as guaranteed.
What Do You Get Besides Money?
This is where Shine differs from a simple startup grant and the selected founders receive access to:
- Swiss Re specialists in areas such as risk, strategy and business development
- Leadership and executive coaching
- Support refining the business model and go-to-market strategy
- Climate innovation networks and ecosystem partners
- Assistance improving market readiness and organisational resilience
The programme is delivered with Climate KIC and is designed to help founders turn proven early solutions into businesses capable of larger-scale climate impact.
Shine 2027 Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027 programme is 15 September 2026. Swiss Re’s official Foundation website currently confirms that applications are open.
Because the programme expects evidence of traction, applicants should use the remaining time to strengthen their MVP evidence, pilot results, customer traction, climate-impact metrics and business model rather than filling the application with generic sustainability language.
Questions Founders Are Likely to Ask
Can students apply?
Potentially, but Shine is aimed at entrepreneurs running an eligible early-stage venture. Being a student by itself does not make you eligible.
Can I apply with only an idea?
Generally no. Applicants should already have an MVP and a pilot or early commercial activity underway.
Is Shine open worldwide?
Not in the unrestricted sense. The 2027 programme operates through eight designated city chapters.
Does my startup need to be climate-tech?
It needs to address an urban climate challenge, but that can include business models involving transport, buildings, waste, nature, energy or climate-data solutions—not only hard technology.
Unsure Whether Your Startup Fits?
If you are confused about your startup age, city eligibility, MVP stage, climate impact or whether your business model fits Shine 2027, leave your question in the comments below this article. Mention your city and briefly explain what your venture does, and we can help you determine whether it matches the programme before the September deadline.