Shine 2027 is supporting early-stage climate ventures developing innovative solutions for urban climate action. The Swiss Re Foundation programme focuses on urban decarbonization, climate adaptation and inclusive development across eight global chapters, with grant funding and expert support available to selected innovators.
What Is Shine 2027?
Shine 2027 is an innovation programme from the Swiss Re Foundation focused on helping early-stage ventures develop solutions to some of the climate challenges facing cities.
The programme is designed around the growing need for practical urban climate solutions. According to the programme information, cities account for approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are home to more than half of the world’s population. Urban populations are also expected to approach 70% of the global population by 2050.
As cities experience increasing exposure to climate-related challenges such as heat stress, flooding, resource scarcity and infrastructure disruption, the programme aims to support entrepreneurs working on solutions that can contribute to more resilient and sustainable urban communities.
What Does Shine 2027 Support?
Shine for Cities is aimed at early-stage climate ventures working in areas connected to urban climate action.
The programme focuses on three broad objectives:
- Urban decarbonization
- Climate adaptation
- Inclusive development
The initiative recognizes that developing a climate action plan is only one part of the challenge. Cities can also face difficulties implementing solutions at scale, mobilizing resources, engaging citizens and ensuring that climate interventions deliver equitable outcomes.
Shine 2027 is therefore positioned around supporting entrepreneurial innovation that can help address this implementation gap.
What Does the Shine Programme Offer?
Selected ventures can receive a combination of financial and non-financial support.
Grant Funding
One of the key benefits is grant funding designed to accelerate validation and growth.
The programme has eight chapters, with the grant amounts varying by location.
The published amounts are:
| Chapter | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| Bangalore, India | INR 2,000,000 |
| Bratislava, Slovakia | EUR 40,000 |
| Cape Town, South Africa | ZAR 400,000 |
| London, UK | GBP 40,000 |
| Manila, Philippines | USD 30,000 |
| Mexico City, Mexico | USD 30,000 |
| New York, USA | USD 40,000 |
| Zurich, Switzerland | CHF 55,000 |
Applicants should carefully review the applicable chapter requirements because the programme information provided does not establish that every venture can apply to every location.
Swiss Re Expertise
Participants can benefit from Swiss Re expertise in risk, strategy and business development.
This can be particularly relevant to early-stage climate ventures that need to strengthen their understanding of climate risk, commercial strategy and business development.
Leadership and Executive Coaching
Shine also provides leadership and executive coaching designed to encourage a growth mindset.
For founders and early-stage teams, this support can complement technical innovation by helping develop leadership and organizational capabilities.
Scalable Climate Business Models
The programme offers support in developing scalable climate business models.
This is important because climate innovation often needs to move beyond proof of concept and demonstrate that a solution can be deployed effectively in real-world settings.
Climate Innovation Networks
Participants can gain access to ecosystem partners and climate innovation networks, potentially helping ventures build relationships with organizations and stakeholders working on urban climate solutions.
Potential Reinvestment
The programme information also mentions the possibility of reinvestment by the Foundation with a larger mandate after evidence of scale, with the reference point being 12 months after the programme.
This should be understood as a potential opportunity rather than a guaranteed follow-on investment.
Eight Shine 2027 Chapters
Shine 2027 will operate across eight chapters located in cities around the world.
These are:
Bangalore, India
Grant: INR 2,000,000
Bratislava, Slovakia
Grant: EUR 40,000
Cape Town, South Africa
Grant: ZAR 400,000
London, United Kingdom
Grant: GBP 40,000
Manila, Philippines
Grant: USD 30,000
Mexico City, Mexico
Grant: USD 30,000
New York, United States
Grant: USD 40,000
Zurich, Switzerland
Grant: CHF 55,000
The location-specific structure makes it important for potential applicants to examine the official application portal and programme materials for the requirements applicable to their preferred chapter.
What Types of Solutions Are Being Sought?
The supplied programme information states that Shine is looking for innovations that can help urban communities reduce emissions, adapt to climate change and improve lives.
The programme page does not provide enough detail in the supplied material to reproduce the six individual solution categories shown on the page. Prospective applicants should therefore consult the official programme materials rather than assuming that a particular technology or business model qualifies.
Read the official Shine 2027 brochure
Who Could Benefit From Shine 2027?
The programme is primarily relevant to early-stage climate ventures developing solutions for urban environments.
Potentially relevant ventures could include businesses working on areas such as urban climate resilience, emissions reduction, climate adaptation or inclusive climate solutions, provided their innovation fits the programme’s official criteria.
Entrepreneurs considering the opportunity should evaluate their solution against the specific eligibility and application requirements before applying.
Why Urban Climate Innovation Matters
Urban areas are increasingly important to the global climate response.
Cities concentrate people, infrastructure, economic activity and public services. This concentration can create significant climate risks, but it also creates opportunities to introduce solutions that can affect large populations.
The programme’s approach recognizes that the challenge is not simply creating climate plans. Cities also need practical solutions that can be implemented, financed, scaled and adopted by communities.
This is where early-stage entrepreneurs can potentially contribute by developing new products, services, technologies and business models addressing urban climate challenges.
How to Apply for Shine 2027
Interested innovators can begin by visiting the official Shine 2027 application platform.
Start the Shine 2027 application
Applicants should review the programme requirements, determine which chapter is relevant to their venture and prepare the information requested through the official application process.
The Swiss Re Foundation is also promoting an information webinar for people interested in learning more about the programme.
Register for the Shine 2027 information webinar
Final Thoughts
Shine 2027 offers an opportunity for early-stage climate ventures working on urban challenges to access more than grant funding. The programme combines financial support with expertise in risk, strategy and business development, leadership coaching, support for scalable climate business models and connections to climate innovation networks.
With chapters in Bangalore, Bratislava, Cape Town, London, Manila, Mexico City, New York and Zurich, the initiative has a distinctly international focus.
For entrepreneurs developing solutions that can help cities reduce emissions, adapt to climate change and improve quality of life, Shine 2027 could provide an opportunity to strengthen, validate and scale an early-stage climate venture.
Applicants should rely on the official Shine 2027 application portal and programme documentation for the latest eligibility criteria, application requirements, deadlines and chapter-specific conditions.
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