Glasgow is fast emerging as one of the UK’s most dynamic hubs for climate innovation and that energy was on full display this week at the Clean Growth Fund Glasgow Roadshow and Networking Reception.
Hosted at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology & Innovation Centre, the event brought together investors, founders, government, accelerators and partners in a bright, open space designed for connection. Councillor Richard Bell, Convenor of Strathclyde Pension Fund and Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, opened the evening with a clear message:
“Glasgow isn’t just talking about net zero – we’re building it, we’re scaling it and we’re investing in it.”
Showcasing Scotland’s Climate Tech Talent
Earlier in the day, 10 pioneering clean tech startups from across the region pitched behind closed doors to the Clean Growth Fund investment team inlcuding:
- Clean commercial heating systems
- Carbon-negative magnesium and calcium carbonates
- Construction materials made from recycled waste
- Next-generation battery recycling technologies
- Animal stem cells for cultivated meat
Each company had 20 minutes to present and answer questions, a rare chance to deep dive into their potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the journey to net zero.
Why Glasgow, Why Now?
Councillor Bell set the tone for the evening:
“Climate action is under threat. Some people say there is no place for local government in the climate agenda. My answer to that is “nonsense”. Glasgow has the potential to be the innovation hub within the UK’s GB Energy plans. Our supply chain already aligns with GB Energy objectives – accelerating, decarbonising, speeding up technology rollout, boosting resilience and driving growth. We’re ready to seize that opportunity.”
That urgency and ambition resonated throughout the room, as founders, investors and ecosystem partners came together to exchange ideas and form new connections.
Uniting Investors, Innovators and Partners
The evening saw strong representation from across Scotland’s innovation and investment community, including Strathclyde Pension Fund, Scottish Enterprise, Codebase, Greenbackers Investment Capital, Impact Rise Ventures, Edinburgh Innovations, ESM Investments, Scottish EDGE, First Imagine and CWB Energy Ltd, among others.
With the first close of Fund II recently completed, targeting £150 million, the Clean Growth Fund team is actively seeking innovators with scalable solutions that can deliver significant emissions reductions.
As Councillor Bell summed up:
“We have a duty to invest ethically and to back the future, not just the bottom line. That’s why we’re proud to support the Clean Growth Fund – it aligns with our net zero investment strategy and our values.”
“And that’s why we’re here tonight – to connect, to collaborate and accelerate the development of clean technologies, to respond to the demand of the climate tech sector with urgency, ambition and commercial expertise. Thank you for being part of this event and thank you for believing in Glasgow.“
Get Involved
For Scottish clean tech innovators who didn’t have the chance to meet us in Glasgow, we’d still love to hear from you. Please share details of your company and solution via our [application form here].
The Clean Growth Fund team run numerous events across the country throughout the year to connect with clean tech startups and the ecosystem driving change. Please follow our LinkedIn to find out about future events.
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