5 Dec 2025: Barclays Eagle Labs, in partnership with Sustainable Ventures, has officially launched The National Climate Tech Accelerator (NCTA), a nationwide initiative designed to fast-track the growth of high-potential climate tech startups across the UK.
Startups selected for the accelerator will gain access to a powerful mix of commercial, technical, and community-driven support. This includes the Sustainable Ventures Digital Learning Platform, the Eagle Labs Entrepreneur Academy, and up to $250,000 in Google Cloud credits. Barclays customers will also receive additional benefits such as funded 1:1 mentoring, exclusive pitch opportunities with climate tech investors, workspace access across the Eagle Labs or Sustainable Ventures networks, and increased national visibility through platforms like the Barclays Entrepreneur Awards and the NCTA Pitch Competition.
Since its founding in 2011, Sustainable Ventures has become one of Europe’s leading climate tech communities, supporting more than 1,000 startups with an 80% success rate, generating over 7,000 green jobs, and facilitating £1.2bn in funding. Barclays, through its Climate Ventures division, has pledged up to £500m by 2027 to support the sector, complemented by its Climate Tech Escalator, which helps companies grow from idea to IPO.
In an official press release by Sustainable Ventures, Andrew Wordsworth, CEO and Founder of Sustainable Ventures, said, “This programme will provide hundreds of climate tech companies with advice and support, giving them an unfair business advantage that will help them scale faster from idea to exit. This partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs will scale up our award-winning model of expert advice, networks, and hubs to reach more companies across the nation. These climate tech companies will play a vital role in helping the UK meet its net zero targets.”
In the same press release, Abdul Qureshi, Head of Business Banking at Barclays, added, “At Barclays, we recognise the critical role that scaling climate tech is going to play in accelerating the UK’s transition, and in achieving our ambition to become a net zero bank by 2050. Supporting UK founders as they grow their businesses from idea to IPO is central to the mission of Barclays Innovation Banking. Scaling climate tech, in particular, requires integrated support that brings capital and expertise together in one place.
By partnering with Sustainable Ventures to deliver The National Climate Tech Accelerator, we are strengthening that support. Together, we are creating a platform that helps ambitious UK climate start-ups to overcome the barriers to growth and become the market-leading businesses that the transition demands.”
The launch of the National Climate Tech Accelerator marks a significant step in strengthening the UK’s innovation ecosystem at a pivotal moment for climate action. By combining Sustainable Ventures’ proven expertise with Barclays Eagle Labs’ nationwide network and investment ambitions, the NCTA is poised to provide founders with the resources, mentorship, and market access necessary to scale faster and more effectively.
