The Swiss Re Foundation has opened applications for Shine 2027, an innovation programme designed to support early-stage climate ventures developing solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing cities. The programme is seeking innovative ventures working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help communities adapt to climate change and improve urban livelihoods. Selected participants will receive a combination of grant funding, expert support, leadership coaching and access to climate innovation networks. Shine 2027 is being delivered across eight international chapters, creating opportunities for climate innovators working in cities across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and other regions. What Is Shine 2027? Shine 2027 focuses on the implementation gap facing cities as they attempt to turn climate strategies and commitments into practical action. Cities are major contributors to global emissions while also facing increasing exposure to climate-related risks such as extreme heat, flooding, resource shortages and infrastructure disruption. The programme recognizes that entrepreneurial innovation can help cities overcome some of these challenges by developing solutions that are scalable, commercially viable and capable of delivering measurable climate and social benefits. Through Shine for Cities, the Swiss Re Foundation aims to identify and support early-stage ventures contributing to urban decarbonization, climate adaptation and inclusive development. The programme is therefore particularly relevant to entrepreneurs, innovators and startups developing technologies, business models or services that can help cities become more sustainable and resilient. What Support Does Shine Provide? Selected ventures will receive support designed to help them validate their solutions, strengthen their business models and prepare for growth. The programme offers access to several forms of support, including: Swiss Re expertise in risk, strategy and business development Leadership and executive coaching Assistance in developing scalable climate business models Grant funding to support validation and growth Access to ecosystem partners Connections to climate innovation networks Potential reinvestment by the Swiss Re Foundation after evidence of scale The combination of financial and non-financial support makes Shine particularly relevant to early-stage ventures that have developed promising solutions but require additional resources, expertise or networks to move towards greater impact. Which Climate Solutions Are Being Sought? Shine 2027 is looking for innovations addressing a range of urban climate challenges. Energy Transition Solutions in this area may include renewable energy, energy storage and distributed energy systems. Innovations that can help cities reduce dependence on high-carbon energy sources while improving energy access and resilience are particularly relevant. Buildings The programme is also interested in innovations related to building retrofits, cooling technologies and low-carbon construction materials. With buildings playing a major role in urban energy consumption and emissions, solutions that can improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings have significant potential. Sustainable Transport Innovators developing low-carbon mobility solutions and approaches that improve access to sustainable transportation can also apply. This may include solutions aimed at making urban mobility more efficient, accessible and environmentally sustainable. Waste and Circular Economy Shine is seeking innovations focused on recycling, reuse and resource recovery. Circular economy solutions can help cities reduce waste, conserve resources and develop more sustainable production and consumption systems. Urban Nature and Land Use Solutions involving green infrastructure, biodiversity and urban food systems are also within the programme’s areas of interest. Such innovations can contribute to climate adaptation while improving urban environments and community wellbeing. Climate Data and Governance The programme also welcomes solutions involving monitoring, climate risk intelligence and emissions tracking. Better climate data can help cities understand risks, measure progress and make more informed decisions about climate action. Eight Shine 2027 Chapters Shine 2027 will operate across eight chapters, with funding amounts varying according to location. The programme lists the following chapters and indicative funding amounts: Bangalore, India: INR 2,000,000 Bratislava, Slovakia: EUR 40,000 Cape Town, South Africa: ZAR 400,000 London, United Kingdom: GBP 40,000 Manila, Philippines: USD 30,000 Mexico City, Mexico: USD 30,000 New York, United States: USD 40,000 Zurich, Switzerland: CHF 55,000 The availability of a Cape Town chapter is particularly notable for African climate innovators developing solutions for urban resilience, sustainable infrastructure, energy transition and inclusive development. Applicants should review the specific requirements and conditions for the relevant chapter before submitting an application. Who Should Consider Applying? Shine 2027 is aimed at early-stage climate ventures rather than applicants seeking traditional academic scholarships or individual grants. The opportunity could be particularly relevant to startups, entrepreneurs and innovation teams developing practical solutions to urban climate challenges. Strong applicants are likely to have a clearly defined problem, an innovative solution and a credible pathway towards validation, growth and measurable impact. Ventures should also be able to demonstrate why their solution is relevant to urban communities and how it could contribute to climate mitigation, adaptation or inclusive development. Why the Opportunity Matters One of the biggest challenges in climate action is moving from ambitious plans to implementation. Cities may have climate strategies and targets, but turning those commitments into projects that can be implemented, financed and scaled can be difficult. Early-stage ventures can play an important role in addressing this challenge by developing new technologies, services and business models. However, promising climate ventures often face barriers related to financing, technical expertise, market access, leadership and partnerships. Shine 2027 seeks to address some of these barriers by combining funding with specialized expertise and ecosystem connections. For participating ventures, the programme could therefore provide more than financial support. It can create opportunities to test ideas, strengthen business models, build partnerships and prepare for larger-scale deployment. How to Apply for Shine 2027 Interested applicants can access the Shine 2027 application platform and review the programme information before submitting their application. Because the programme operates through different international chapters, applicants should carefully review the chapter relevant to their venture and ensure that their solution fits the stated focus areas. Applicants should also prepare a clear explanation of the problem they are addressing, their proposed solution, the communities or markets they serve and the potential climate and social impact of their innovation. Information Webinar for Prospective Applicants The Swiss Re Foundation is also inviting interested innovators to participate in an upcoming information webinar. The session is intended to provide additional information about what Shine envisions and what the programme offers to participating ventures. Prospective applicants may find the webinar useful for understanding the programme and determining whether their innovation is aligned with its objectives. Final Takeaway Shine 2027 offers an important opportunity for early-stage climate ventures working to make cities cleaner, more resilient and more inclusive. Through grant funding, strategic expertise, leadership coaching, business development support and access to climate innovation networks, the programme aims to help promising solutions move closer to validation and scale. Entrepreneurs working in renewable energy, sustainable buildings, clean transport, circular economy, urban nature, climate data and governance should consider reviewing the opportunity and assessing their eligibility. With eight chapters spanning cities including Cape Town, Bangalore, London, Manila, Mexico City, New York, Bratislava and Zurich, Shine 2027 provides a broad international platform for urban climate innovation. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. Applicants should independently verify eligibility criteria, funding conditions, chapter-specific requirements and application procedures through the official Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027 platform before applying. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW