Monday, 28 July 2025
EarthScale, a network of regional hubs, has announced that applications are open for its first cohort of businesses looking to scale up and commercialise climate technologies.
EarthScale is a three-year initiative that brings together a powerhouse network of regional hubs, building a connected, long-term ecosystem for scaling the UK’s most promising climate tech ventures.
Backed by £5M from the Research England Development Fund, this six partner strong coalition is led by Imperial College London and includes the universities of Nottingham, Cranfield, Derby, Exeter and Leeds.
Across the UK, cutting-edge climate innovations are emerging from research, with the potential to transform industries, cut emissions, and accelerate the transition to a net-zero, resilient future. But too many ventures stall in the gap between prototype and commercial deployment. This high-risk, capital-intensive phase is characterised by technical complexity, making it challenging to overcome the barriers necessary for scaling.
These world class universities are working together to build a hub network that will allow participants to gain access to specialised research facilities and expertise. The University of Nottingham Energy Institute is leading the Nottingham hub, and Business Development Manager Steve Closs is now keen to hear from startups and spin-outs working in the sector who are interested in accessing support from this exciting new initiative.
The deadline for applications is 7 September 2025, with an anticipated start date of 1 October for those who are successfully accepted onto this year long programme in the first cohort.
Support will include access to technical and manufacturing facilities and support, enterprise development, talent and peer engagement, and assistance to navigate policy and regulation.
Steve Closs, Business Development Manager at Nottingham's Energy Institute, said: “Scaling today’s climate innovations presents an exciting and transformative opportunity for the UK to lead the global transition to a low-carbon economy. While early-stage climate startups benefit from strong foundational support, the next critical step—scaling toward commercial deployment—is where the UK can make its greatest impact.
"By focusing national efforts on helping these ventures move from promising prototypes to market-ready solutions, the UK can unlock significant economic and environmental value.
We are proud that the University of Nottingham, led by the Energy Institute, is a founder member of this initiative and contributes strength in leading academic and commercialisation expertise, allied with access to world class facilities."
Story credits
Further information can be found on the EarthScale website, or from Steve Closs, Business Development Manager at the University of Nottingham Energy Institute.
Faith Pring - Media Relations Manager
Email: faith.pring@nottingham.ac.uk
Phone: 0115 748 4411
Location: University of Nottingham, University Park
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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