The Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (CCIC) has issued its final call for applications for its ScaleItUp Accelerator, which closes on June 30, 2025.

An intensive eight-week programme, ScaleItUp Accelerator helps Jamaican climate-focused entrepreneurs move beyond the start-up phase and confidently scale climate-smart businesses that fuel innovation, job creation, and green economic growth. The programme officially launches in July.

The ScaleItUp Accelerator is the latest initiative of CCIC, the first CleanTech incubator in Jamaica and the Caribbean, established in 2014, which serves entrepreneurs across 15 CARICOM countries. The programme is being spearheaded in partnership with the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and supported by key national stakeholders, including the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ).

“At the CCIC, we are investing in entrepreneurs, and we are cultivating the future drivers of the Jamaican economy. Through this accelerator, we will empower growth-stage businesses to secure investment, scale sustainably, and create meaningful jobs across industries,” said Carlinton Burrell, CEO of the CCIC.

“This is how we stimulate innovation-led growth. CleanTech is the engine of the new economy. “

He further explained that as Jamaica confronts the realities of global warming, local CleanTech innovators are building companies that protect its natural resources, reduce emissions, and open new economic frontiers.

“Our new Accelerator will directly amplify these ventures, preparing them to access capital, scale regionally, and create climate-smart jobs,” he continued.

ScaleItUp Accelerator focuses on providing high-impact entrepreneurs, who are ready to grow, with hands-on support tailored to help them thrive in Jamaica’s rapidly evolving CleanTech space. The initiative will train up to 18 high-potential entrepreneurs, culminating in a Demo Day scheduled for September 19.

On Demo Day, participants will pitch to investors, hoping to win the opportunity to travel to a European innovation hub to explore global connections.

Christopher Brown, Programme Manager, Boosting Innovation Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) at DBJ noted that through BIGEE, the DBJ is committed to unlocking the ecosystems that allow entrepreneurs to thrive. This includes, but is not limited to, the incubators and accelerators, business services intermediaries, universities and, importantly, the funders.

Dr Charah Watson, executive director of the Scientific Research Council, noted that the SRC is proud to partner with CCIC to deliver the ScaleItUp Accelerator.

 “This is an initiative that aligns seamlessly with our mandate to drive innovation, commercialisation, and sustainable enterprise. We view this programme as a bold step toward strengthening Jamaica’s innovation ecosystem and empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs to scale transformative, climate-smart solutions. We encourage founders ready to grow to seize this opportunity,” she said.

The ScaleItUp Accelerator includes six key modules: Accelerate Your Business Growth, Traction, Validation & Growth Strategy, Fundraising Strategy & Deal Structuring, Investment Readiness and Impact Investments, Climate Innovation Market & Opportunity Analysis, and Crafting the Perfect Pitch Deck & Storytelling.

Sessions will run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm–8pm, and will be delivered in a hybrid format to accommodate founders across the island. Participants will also benefit from four dedicated mentorship sessions, weekly pitch practice, and peer-to-peer support.

The programme is uniquely tailored to Jamaican entrepreneurs navigating the complex shift from startup to scale-up, and responds directly to challenges such as limited access to investment, insufficient exposure to climate innovation strategies, and the need for more specialised business development support.

“We’re encouraging entrepreneurs across Jamaica who are ready to scale to apply before the June 30 deadline,” Burrell said.

“The ScaleItUp Accelerator is customised for you and packed with the tools, mentorship, and investor access you need to grow smarter and go further. This could be the breakthrough your business has been waiting for.”