Shine 2027: Swiss Re Foundation Grant and Accelerator for Early-Stage Urban Climate Innovation
The Swiss Re Foundation Shine 2027 programme is inviting applications from early-stage climate ventures developing innovative solutions to help cities reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, and create more inclusive, resilient urban communities.
Under the 2027 edition, Shine for Cities will support entrepreneurs whose products or services can help address pressing urban climate challenges, including energy transition, sustainable transport, building efficiency, waste and circular economy, urban nature, and climate data and governance.
The programme combines grant funding, Swiss Re expertise, business and leadership coaching, climate innovation networks, and support for developing scalable business models. It is designed particularly for ventures that have moved beyond the idea stage and already have a minimum viable product, pilot, or commercial launch underway.
Applications for Shine 2027 are open for entrepreneurs operating in or serving one of eight participating cities across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and Switzerland.
The official programme brochure states that applications should be submitted by 15 September 2026.
What Is Shine 2027?
Shine 2027 is the latest edition of the Swiss Re Foundation’s flagship Shine initiative, with a specific focus on early-stage innovation for urban climate action.
The programme responds to a major challenge facing cities around the world. Urban areas are at the centre of both the climate crisis and the transition towards a more sustainable future. According to the Swiss Re Foundation, cities account for approximately 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are home to more than half of the world’s population. The urban population is projected to approach 70% of the global population by 2050.
At the same time, urban communities are increasingly exposed to climate-related risks such as the following:
- Extreme heat and heat stress
- Flooding
- Resource scarcity
- Infrastructure disruption
- Environmental degradation
- Increasing pressure on urban services
- Inequality in access to climate-resilient solutions
Many cities have already developed climate action plans and established governance systems to respond to these challenges. However, having a plan does not necessarily guarantee implementation.
The Swiss Re Foundation identifies this implementation gap as an important opportunity for entrepreneurial innovation. Shine for Cities therefore seeks ventures that can help transform climate ambitions into practical, scalable solutions.
Who Is Behind Shine 2027?
Shine 2027 is an initiative of the Swiss Re Foundation, which works to strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities and supports entrepreneurial solutions addressing climate and health challenges.
The Foundation’s broader strategy prioritises climate solutions and access to health, while its entrepreneurial programmes support early-, seed-, and growth-stage solutions with the aim of helping them move towards sustainable, revenue-based business models.
Shine is particularly valuable because participating entrepreneurs can gain access not only to financial support but also to the expertise and networks associated with Swiss Re.
For the 2027 edition, the programme also identifies Climate KIC as an ecosystem partner. The partnership is intended to strengthen connections within the wider climate innovation ecosystem and support solutions capable of addressing climate challenges at the city level.
What Does Shine 2027 Offer?
Shine 2027 is structured to provide more than conventional grant funding. The programme combines financial support with technical, strategic, and leadership assistance designed to help early-stage ventures become more resilient and scalable.
Selected entrepreneurs can benefit from the following:
1. Swiss Re Expertise
Participants can gain access to Swiss Re expertise in areas including the following:
- Risk
- Strategy
- Business development
- Business planning
- Market development
- Organisational resilience
This expertise is intended to help entrepreneurs better understand risks and opportunities as they develop their ventures.
2. Leadership and Executive Coaching
The programme provides leadership and executive coaching designed to help founders develop a stronger growth mindset.
For an early-stage enterprise, founder capacity can be just as important as the underlying technology or solution. Shine, therefore, seeks to help entrepreneurs strengthen their leadership capabilities while preparing their organisations for growth.
3. Support for Scalable Climate Business Models
Selected ventures receive support in developing business models that can grow beyond an initial pilot.
The programme places considerable emphasis on financial sustainability and encourages applicants to pursue non-grant revenue streams and develop strong customer pipelines.
4. Grant Funding
Shine includes grant funding intended to accelerate the validation and growth of participating ventures.
The programme structure indicates an initial grant of up to USD 5,000, with the remaining grant disbursed following a successful pitch co-created with Swiss Re colleagues.
The programme also envisages a possible second round of investment of up to USD 300,000 for ventures that demonstrate sufficient scale. This reassessment is scheduled for January 2029 under the indicative programme timeline.
5. Ecosystem Connections
Participants can gain access to ecosystem partners and climate innovation networks.
These connections can be particularly valuable for entrepreneurs seeking:
- Strategic partnerships
- Investors
- Technical expertise
- Market opportunities
- Pilot opportunities
- Customers
- Additional sources of financing
6. Potential Follow-On Support
Shine does not necessarily end when the four-month programme concludes.
The Foundation indicates that participating ventures may subsequently gain access to mission-aligned investors, strategic ecosystem connections, potential pilot and market-access opportunities, and technical assistance.
The Foundation may also consider reinvestment with a larger mandate after evidence of scale has been demonstrated.
What Types of Climate Solutions Are Shine 2027 Looking For?
Shine for Cities is focused on practical innovations addressing urban climate challenges.
The 2027 programme identifies six major focus areas.
1. Energy Transition
The programme is interested in solutions that accelerate the transition towards cleaner and lower-carbon energy systems.
Examples include:
- Renewable energy adoption
- Distributed energy systems
- Energy storage
- Low-carbon energy access
- Technologies that enable cities and communities to reduce dependence on high-emission energy sources
Entrepreneurs developing affordable and scalable clean-energy solutions may therefore find a strong alignment with this thematic area.
2. Building Efficiency and Electrification
Buildings are a significant component of urban energy consumption and emissions.
Shine is looking for innovations that can improve building energy performance and support the transition towards cleaner systems.
Potential areas include:
- Energy-efficient buildings
- Building retrofits
- Electrification
- Energy management
- Technologies that reduce emissions from the built environment
Solutions should demonstrate a clear pathway towards measurable climate impact.
3. Sustainable Transport
Urban transportation is another important source of emissions and a major area for climate innovation.
Shine identifies sustainable transport solutions such as the following:
- Low-carbon mobility
- Public transportation
- Active mobility
- Fleet electrification
- Equitable transport access
Entrepreneurs developing solutions that make urban mobility cleaner, more efficient, and accessible may be particularly relevant to this category.
4. Waste and Circular Economy
Shine also seeks innovations that address waste generation and resource use.
Relevant solutions may include:
- Waste reduction
- Resource recovery
- Recycling systems
- Circular business models
- Technologies that divert waste from landfill
- Circular value chains
The focus is not simply on waste management but on developing models capable of creating environmental and economic value.
5. Urban Nature and Land Use
Nature-based approaches are another important component of the programme.
Shine identifies solutions related to:
- Urban biodiversity
- Green infrastructure
- Sustainable food systems
- Nature-positive urban development
- Sustainable land use
These approaches can contribute to climate resilience while also improving the quality and sustainability of urban environments.
6. Climate Data, Governance, and Monitoring
The programme also recognises the importance of data and effective governance in delivering climate action.
Innovations in this area may include:
- Climate intelligence platforms
- Climate decision-support tools
- Emissions tracking systems
- Climate-risk assessment tools
- Monitoring technologies
- Public engagement platforms
Solutions that help cities understand climate risks, monitor progress, and make better decisions can therefore fit within this focus area.
Who Should Apply for Shine 2027?
Shine 2027 is designed for early-stage enterprises rather than individuals applying with only an idea.
The official programme brochure identifies several important eligibility characteristics.
Geographic Eligibility
Applicants should be entrepreneurs operating in or serving one of the eight Shine cities.
The eight participating city chapters are:
- Bangalore, India
- Bratislava, Slovakia
- Cape Town, South Africa
- London, United Kingdom
- Manila, Philippines
- Mexico City, Mexico
- New York, United States
- Zurich, Switzerland
This means the opportunity is international in scope, but it is not an unrestricted global application programme. The venture must have a connection to one of the eight designated Shine cities.
Stage of the Enterprise
Applicants must be early-stage enterprises between 0 and 4 years of existence.
Importantly, the venture should already have:
- A minimum viable product (MVP)
- A pilot underway, or
- A commercial launch underway
Applicants whose ventures are still purely conceptual and have not developed an MVP may therefore not meet the programme’s stated maturity requirement.
Product or Service Innovation
The innovation may be either:
- Product-based, or
- Service-based
The solution should have the potential to contribute to emissions reduction and/or address climate adaptation and climate justice considerations.
Scalable Business Model
Applicants should demonstrate that their enterprise has a business model capable of achieving measurable environmental outcomes.
The programme is particularly interested in ventures that can move beyond dependence on grants and establish sustainable revenue models.
Applicants are therefore expected to demonstrate:
- A clear business model
- Potential for scalability
- Customer development
- A credible customer pipeline
- A pathway towards financial sustainability
Climate Understanding
Applicants should have a nuanced understanding of the environmental challenge their venture is addressing.
They should also have a theory of change explaining how their solution is expected to produce meaningful environmental and social outcomes.
Inclusion and Climate Justice
Shine places importance on solutions that can make climate action more affordable and accessible to low-income communities.
Where this focus is less directly applicable in a particular geography, the solution should nevertheless address climate mitigation or adaptation through a climate justice lens.
This makes social inclusion an important consideration alongside environmental impact.
Founder Commitment
Founders selected for the programme must be prepared to commit significant time and attention during the four-month programme.
The programme includes approximately 11 in-person days, with the remaining engagement taking place virtually.
What Environmental and Social Impact Should Applicants Demonstrate?
Shine is not simply looking for businesses that describe themselves as environmentally friendly. Applicants should be able to demonstrate how their solutions can generate measurable climate and social outcomes.
The programme’s primary environmental impact metric is
- Tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided or reduced
Depending on the nature of the venture, additional environmental indicators may include:
- Vulnerable land protected or restored
- Waste diverted from landfill
- Other measurable environmental improvements
The Foundation also places emphasis on social impact.
Examples of positive social outcomes include:
- Creating quality jobs and livelihood opportunities for low-income communities
- Increasing access to affordable climate solutions for underserved populations
- Improving quality of life through cleaner and healthier urban environments
- Improving urban resilience
- Expanding public access to climate information and awareness
- Helping individuals and communities adopt lower-emission behaviours and practices
Shine 2027 Funding by City
The programme operates through eight city chapters, with funding denominated according to the relevant local or programme currency.
The indicative funding allocations listed in the official 2027 brochure are:
| Shine City | Country | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | India | INR 2,000,000 |
| Bratislava | Slovakia | EUR 40,000 |
| Cape Town | South Africa | ZAR 300,000 |
| London | United Kingdom | GBP 40,000 |
| Manila | Philippines | USD 30,000 |
| Mexico City | Mexico | USD 30,000 |
| New York | United States | USD 40,000 |
| Zurich | Switzerland | CHF 55,000 |
These amounts are based on the August 2026 official Shine 2027 brochure.
How Does the Shine 2027 Programme Work?
The programme is structured as a four-month journey combining practical business development, impact management, leadership development, and interaction with Swiss Re colleagues.
The three core modules are designed around different aspects of venture development.
Module 1: Understanding the System and Business Strategy
The first module focuses on helping entrepreneurs:
- Think in systems
- Connect with stakeholders
- Understand and decode business strategy
This stage is important because urban climate challenges are interconnected. A successful climate solution needs to understand not only the technology but also the wider system in which it operates.
Module 2: Designing for Impact and Market Readiness
The second module focuses on:
- Designing for impact
- Developing an impact narrative
- Sharpening the go-to-market strategy
Entrepreneurs can therefore work on translating their climate impact into a compelling and measurable proposition while strengthening their approach to customers and markets.
Module 3: Resilience, Pitching and Leadership
The third module focuses on:
- Building organisational resilience
- Preparing the business and implementation roadmap
- Pitching the business
- Developing emerging leadership capabilities
The programme is therefore intended to leave entrepreneurs better prepared to execute their growth strategies rather than simply providing short-term financial assistance.
Indicative Shine 2027 Timeline
According to the official programme brochure, the Shine 2027 application and programme process is expected to follow the timeline below.
August to September 2026
Applications for Shine 2027 open from approximately mid-August to mid-September 2026.
15 September 2026
The official brochure identifies 15 September 2026 as the application deadline.
Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
Mid-September to Early November 2026
The Foundation expects to conduct due diligence and shortlist one enterprise for each chapter.
Early November 2026
The initial grant of up to USD 5,000 is scheduled for disbursement.
January to May 2027
The main Shine programme modules are scheduled to take place during this period.
June 2027
The remaining grant is expected to be disbursed following a successful pitch co-created with Swiss Re colleagues.
January 2029
The programme anticipates a reassessment for a possible second round of investment of up to USD 300,000 where a venture can demonstrate sufficient scale.
The Foundation notes that the programme dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
What Happens After the Four-Month Programme?
One of the distinguishing features of Shine 2027 is that the programme is designed to extend beyond the core four-month engagement.
At the end of the programme, supported ventures are expected to demonstrate progress in areas such as:
- Stronger market readiness
- Improved impact measurement and management
- More refined go-to-market strategies
- Increased operational resilience
- Greater awareness of risk
- A defined growth mindset
The wider objective is to help participating ventures become more capable of scaling their solutions and contributing to urban climate action.
Potential Follow-On Opportunities
Following the main programme, successful ventures may gain access to additional opportunities, including:
- Follow-on funding from mission-aligned investors
- Strategic partnerships
- Ecosystem connections
- Potential pilot opportunities
- Market-access opportunities
- Technical assistance
The Swiss Re Foundation may also consider further investment where ventures demonstrate evidence of scale.
This creates a potential pathway from early-stage validation towards larger-scale climate impact.
Which Countries Can Apply?
The eligible geographic areas correspond to the eight Shine city chapters.
Applicants are expected to operate in or serve one of the following locations:
- India — Bangalore
- Slovakia — Bratislava
- South Africa — Cape Town
- United Kingdom — London
- Philippines — Manila
- Mexico — Mexico City
- United States — New York
- Switzerland — Zurich
Therefore, the programme covers applicants connected to locations across Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.
It is important to distinguish this from unrestricted nationality-based eligibility. The programme’s stated criterion is that entrepreneurs must be operating in or serving one of the eight Shine cities, rather than simply holding citizenship of one of the listed countries.
Is There a Race or Ethnicity Requirement?
The official Shine 2027 eligibility information does not state a race or ethnicity restriction.
The programme instead focuses on:
- The venture’s geographic connection to one of the eight cities
- The stage of the enterprise
- The existence of an MVP
- Pilot or commercial activity
- Climate relevance
- Scalability
- Financial sustainability
- Measurable environmental impact
- Social inclusion
- Founder commitment
Applicants should therefore assess their eligibility primarily against the programme’s venture, geographic and climate-impact requirements.
How to Apply for Shine 2027
Applications are submitted through the official Shine 2027 application platform operated for the Swiss Re Foundation.
The application platform explains that applicants can work through preformatted forms, use the help information provided within the forms, save their project, and return to it before submission. Once an application is submitted, the selection process begins.
Application deadline: 15 September 2026.
Applicants should carefully review their application before submitting it and ensure that their venture description clearly demonstrates the climate problem being addressed, the proposed solution, evidence of market or pilot activity, business model, scalability, and anticipated environmental and social impact.
How Applicants Can Strengthen Their Application
Although meeting the formal requirements is essential, applicants can also improve the quality of their application by presenting a clear and evidence-based case for why their venture deserves support.
Clearly Define the Urban Climate Problem
Explain the specific climate challenge affecting the city or communities served by the venture.
Avoid describing the problem only in broad global terms. Demonstrate how the problem manifests locally and why existing approaches are insufficient.
Demonstrate That the Solution Already Exists
Because Shine is targeted at early-stage enterprises that have established an MVP, applicants should clearly explain what has already been developed.
Where possible, include evidence such as:
- Pilot results
- Customers
- Users
- Revenue
- Partnerships
- Deployment data
- Performance indicators
- Early environmental outcomes
Explain the Business Model
Applicants should show how the enterprise can become financially sustainable.
The programme specifically looks for ventures pursuing non-grant revenue streams and building customer pipelines.
Quantify Climate Impact
Where possible, translate the proposed impact into measurable indicators.
For example, a venture could demonstrate potential reductions in:
- CO₂ emissions
- Waste sent to landfill
- Energy consumption
- Resource use
It can also demonstrate positive social outcomes such as jobs created, households reached, or access to affordable climate solutions.
Connect Climate Impact With Inclusion
A strong application should demonstrate how the solution can benefit communities that may otherwise be excluded from climate innovation.
Affordability, accessibility, livelihoods, and climate justice are important considerations within the programme.
Show How the Venture Can Scale
Shine is designed for entrepreneurs with solutions that can move beyond small pilots.
Applicants should therefore explain:
- Where they are currently operating
- What the current market looks like
- Who the customers are
- What barriers to expansion exist
- What partnerships are required
- How additional funding would accelerate growth
- What measurable outcomes could be achieved at scale
Why Shine 2027 Is Significant for Urban Climate Entrepreneurs
Urban climate innovation is increasingly important because cities concentrate people, economic activity, infrastructure, and environmental pressures.
A successful climate venture can therefore potentially generate significant impact by addressing problems in areas such as transport, energy, buildings, waste, urban nature, and climate information.
Shine’s approach is particularly relevant to entrepreneurs who need more than capital. Early-stage ventures often face challenges involving business strategy, market access, risk management, leadership, impact measurement, and partnerships.
The programme attempts to address these barriers through a combination of funding and access to expertise.
This reflects the Swiss Re Foundation’s wider approach of supporting entrepreneurial solutions that can ultimately move towards financial sustainability and scale.
Visit HERE for more information about Shine 2027.
Key Facts About Shine 2027
- Programme: Shine 2027 / Shine for Cities
- Organiser: Swiss Re Foundation
- Focus: Early-stage innovation for urban climate action
- Target: Climate ventures and social entrepreneurs
- Enterprise stage: 0–4 years
- Product requirement: Minimum viable product established
- Commercial stage: Pilot or commercial launch underway
- Business model: Scalable and financially sustainable
- Geographic scope: Eight designated Shine cities
- Main themes: Energy transition, building efficiency and electrification, sustainable transport, waste and circular economy, urban nature and land use, and climate data, governance and monitoring
- Programme duration: Approximately four months
- Founder commitment: Significant participation, including 11 in-person days
- Application deadline: 15 September 2026
- Potential initial grant: Up to USD 5,000
- Potential second-stage investment: Up to USD 300,000 subject to demonstrated scale
- Application platform: Official Swiss Re Foundation Shine application portal
Important Eligibility Summary
Before applying, entrepreneurs should ensure that their venture meets the core requirements:
- The enterprise should be operating in or serving one of the eight Shine cities.
- The enterprise should be between 0 and 4 years old.
- The venture should have an established minimum viable product.
- A pilot or commercial launch should already be underway.
- The innovation may be product-based or service-based.
- The solution should have emissions-reduction potential and/or address relevant climate challenges.
- The business should demonstrate potential for scalability.
- The enterprise should have a pathway towards financial sustainability and non-grant revenue.
- Applicants should have a clear understanding of the environmental problem they are addressing.
- The venture should have a theory of change for achieving its intended impact.
- Solutions should, where relevant, improve affordability, accessibility, and livelihood opportunities for low-income communities.
- Founders must be able to commit significant time to the four-month programme.
Conclusion
The Shine 2027 programme presents an opportunity for early-stage climate entrepreneurs to combine financial support with practical business expertise, leadership development, and access to a wider climate innovation ecosystem.
Rather than focusing solely on ideas, the programme is designed for ventures that have already taken meaningful steps towards implementation. Applicants should therefore have an established MVP, an active pilot or commercial launch, a credible business model, and a clear pathway towards measurable environmental and social impact.
The programme’s six thematic areas provide opportunities for entrepreneurs working in energy transition, building efficiency, sustainable transport, waste and circular economy, urban nature, and climate data and governance. At the same time, its emphasis on affordability, accessibility, livelihoods, and climate justice makes social impact an important component of the overall application.
With eight participating city chapters spanning India, Slovakia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Mexico, the United States, and Switzerland, Shine 2027 offers a geographically diverse platform for urban climate innovators.
For eligible ventures, the programme can provide an important combination of grant funding, Swiss Re expertise, leadership coaching, business development support, climate networks, and potential follow-on opportunities.
Entrepreneurs interested in participating should prepare their applications carefully and submit them before the 15 September 2026 deadline.
For more global Grant opportunities, visit OFY HERE.
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