Apply: Swiss Re Foundation Shine Grant Funding For Climate Startups
Early-stage climate entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions for more resilient, low-carbon communities can now apply for the Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027 programme.
Shine is the Swiss Re Foundation’s flagship venture-building initiative, designed to help early-stage social enterprises strengthen their business models, demonstrate impact and prepare their climate solutions for scale. Applications for the 2027 edition are currently open, with the deadline set for September 15, 2026.
The programme combines catalytic funding with Swiss Re expertise, leadership coaching and ecosystem connections, giving selected entrepreneurs access to practical support as they develop and scale their ventures.
What Shine 2027 Offers
The programme is designed for founders working on innovative, market-based responses to climate challenges, particularly solutions that can contribute to more resilient communities and cities.
Participants can benefit from:
- Catalytic grant funding to support venture development.
- Access to Swiss Re business and technical expertise.
- Leadership and business coaching.
- Support to strengthen and validate their business model.
- Guidance on measuring and demonstrating social and environmental impact.
- Connections to relevant partners and wider innovation ecosystems.
- Continued support after the core learning programme to help promising ventures pursue scale.
The Swiss Re Foundation says Shine is intended to help founders move promising climate innovations beyond the early stage by combining financial support with expertise and strategic guidance.
Who Should Apply?
The opportunity is aimed at early-stage climate enterprises and social entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions that address climate-related challenges.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A clearly identified climate or resilience challenge.
- An innovative and market-based solution.
- Evidence that the venture is at an early stage but has potential to grow.
- A viable business model or pathway towards financial sustainability.
- Measurable social and/or environmental impact.
- A strong commitment to building solutions that can contribute to more resilient, low-carbon communities.
Swiss Re Foundation’s climate-solutions portfolio particularly focuses on initiatives that can help vulnerable communities prevent, prepare for and adapt to climate risks.
Why the Programme Matters
For early-stage climate ventures, access to funding is only one part of the challenge. Shine is structured to combine financing with the business knowledge and strategic support needed to turn promising ideas into scalable solutions.
The Foundation says its approach includes helping entrepreneurs strengthen their business models, validate their impact and prepare for scale. It also continues supporting selected enterprises beyond the core learning programme through strategic partnerships and follow-on support.
Shine has been running since 2018 and has expanded across several markets, reflecting Swiss Re Foundation’s broader effort to support entrepreneurial solutions to climate and resilience challenges.
Application Details
Programme: Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027
Focus: Early-stage climate ventures and social enterprises
Support: Catalytic funding, business expertise, leadership coaching and ecosystem connections
Target applicants: Early-stage climate entrepreneurs
Application deadline: September 15, 2026
Programme: Shine 2027
How to Apply
Interested entrepreneurs should submit their applications through the official Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027 application portal.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully explain the climate challenge they are addressing, how their solution works, the impact already achieved or expected, and how the Shine programme could help their venture grow.
Official application portal: Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027 Application
