Shine for Cities 2027 supports early-stage climate ventures developing solutions for urban decarbonization, climate adaptation and inclusive development. The programme offers climate business expertise, executive coaching, grant funding, ecosystem connections and opportunities for growth across eight international chapters, including Cape Town, London, New York, Bangalore and Zurich.
Background & Programme Description
Cities are at the heart of the global climate challenge, but they are also among the most important drivers of climate action. 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 expected to approach 70% of the global population by 2050.
At the same time, cities face growing climate-related risks, including extreme heat, flooding, resource scarcity and disruption to infrastructure.
Many cities have already introduced climate action plans and established governance structures to address these challenges. However, implementation remains a major obstacle. Cities can struggle to scale solutions, secure resources, involve citizens and ensure that climate action produces equitable outcomes.
Shine for Cities is designed to address this implementation gap by supporting early-stage climate ventures working on practical solutions for urban environments.
The programme focuses on ventures contributing to three broad areas:
- Urban decarbonization
- Climate adaptation
- Inclusive development
Rather than focusing only on ideas and research, the initiative aims to help promising ventures validate and develop scalable climate business models.
What Does Shine for Cities Offer?
Selected ventures can receive a combination of business expertise, funding, coaching and access to networks.
The programme offers:
Swiss Re Expertise
Participants can benefit from expertise from Swiss Re in areas including risk, strategy and business development.
This support is intended to help early-stage ventures better understand their markets, strengthen their strategies and develop approaches that can support future growth.
Leadership and Executive Coaching
The programme also provides leadership and executive coaching designed to encourage a growth mindset.
For founders and early-stage teams, this can provide support as they navigate the challenges associated with developing and scaling a climate-focused business.
Climate Business Model Development
Shine for Cities supports participants in developing scalable climate business models.
This is particularly relevant for ventures that have developed an early solution but need additional support to demonstrate how that solution can operate sustainably and expand into new markets or communities.
Grant Funding
Grant funding is provided to help ventures accelerate validation and growth.
The specific grant amount varies according to the programme’s chapter and location.
Ecosystem and Climate Innovation Networks
Participants can gain access to ecosystem partners and climate innovation networks, potentially helping ventures build relationships with organizations working on urban climate challenges.
Potential Further Reinvestment
The programme also indicates the possibility of reinvestment by the Foundation with a larger mandate after evidence of scale, with the programme information referencing a period of 12 months after the programme.
This means ventures may have an opportunity to demonstrate their progress before potentially receiving further support.
What Solutions Are Shine for Cities Looking For?
The supplied programme information includes a section titled “What solutions are we looking for?”, but the specific solution categories are not included in the source text provided.
Therefore, applicants should consult the official programme brochure for the complete description of the solutions and venture types being sought rather than relying on assumptions.
Read the official Shine for Cities 2027 brochure
Shine for Cities 2027 Chapters and Grant Amounts
The programme is being delivered across eight chapters, with funding amounts varying by location and currency.
| Chapter | Location | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | USA | USD 40,000 |
| Zurich | Switzerland | CHF 55,000 |
These grants are intended to help participating ventures accelerate validation and growth.
Who Can Benefit From the Programme?
Shine for Cities is aimed at early-stage climate ventures whose work contributes to urban climate action.
The programme’s stated focus means it may be relevant to founders and entrepreneurial teams developing solutions that address challenges associated with emissions reduction, climate resilience and inclusive urban development.
However, the material provided does not contain the complete eligibility criteria, including any specific requirements relating to company age, revenue, stage of development, team composition or geographic eligibility.
Applicants should therefore review the official brochure and application information before determining whether their venture qualifies.
Why the Programme Matters
The urban climate transition requires more than climate strategies and long-term targets. Cities also need practical solutions that can be implemented, tested and scaled.
This creates opportunities for entrepreneurs developing technologies, services, business models and other approaches capable of addressing real urban challenges.
Shine for Cities combines grant funding with business expertise and coaching, potentially giving early-stage ventures support beyond financial assistance alone.
The programme’s focus on risk, strategy, business development and scalable business models also reflects the importance of building ventures that can move from early validation toward sustainable growth.
Application Information
The supplied information encourages interested applicants to participate in an upcoming information webinar to learn more about what Shine for Cities envisions and offers.
Interested ventures can register for the information session through the programme’s registration page:
Register for the Shine for Cities information webinar
Applicants should also review the official programme brochure for detailed information about the application process, eligibility requirements, chapter-specific information and the solutions being sought.
Additional Information
Shine for Cities is focused on the role of entrepreneurial innovation in addressing the implementation challenges facing cities.
The programme combines:
- Climate and risk expertise
- Business development support
- Leadership coaching
- Climate business-model development
- Grant funding
- Ecosystem partnerships
- Climate innovation networks
- Potential future reinvestment based on evidence of scale
The eight participating chapters provide opportunities across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and Switzerland, making the programme geographically diverse.
Conclusion
Shine for Cities 2027 provides early-stage climate ventures with a combination of grant funding, business expertise, leadership coaching and access to climate innovation networks.
With chapters in Bangalore, Bratislava, Cape Town, London, Manila, Mexico City, New York and Zurich, the programme creates opportunities for climate entrepreneurs working to make urban environments more resilient, low-carbon and inclusive.
Because the supplied information does not include the full eligibility criteria or detailed list of desired solutions, prospective applicants should consult the official brochure and attend the information webinar before applying.
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