The Green Builders of Tomorrow Competition

 

Is your Start-Up helping to accelerate the Government's path to Net-Zero? Want to raise awareness of your Start-Up across the UK and in the Middle East? If so, this competition is for you.

 

 The Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Venture Capital Unit (VCU) is launching its fourth national scale-up competition called the ‘Green Builders of Tomorrow’ designed to identify the best early-stage companies that will support the British Government’s ambition to support green jobs and accelerate the UK’s path to Net Zero. The DBT is continuing to build on its commitment to help tackle climate change and will be partnering with Octopus Energy to host this year’s competition in the UAE and Saudi Arabia from 27-30 April 2025.

A key driver for launching the competition is to build upon our relationships with UAE and Saudi Arabian investors. Both governments are aiming to position themselves as a green tech hub and has very active investors in place. The VCU views this competition as a significant opportunity to build closer VC links within market.

As part of the UAE-UK Sovereign Investment Partnership, the UAE has committed to invest £10 billion in UK clean energy, technology, life sciences and infrastructure. The partnership, led by Mubadala on the UAE side, was first established in 2021 as a five-year plan. The UAE has also committed to Net Zero by 2050. The feedback we have received suggests UAE investors are keen on continuing to announce new investment contracts, MOUs and NDAs with British Cleantech companies at the conference.

The UK’s 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution and Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative share a common aim to reduce carbon emissions through increasing the reliance on renewables and investing in clean fuels. The UK and Saudi Arabia have committed to exchange expertise in carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen and clean fuels. Saudi Aramco has launched a US$1.5bn fund to support CleanTech innovation. There is a very evident growth of collaborative programmes and clear opportunities for private sector participation and partnerships.

 

Our Green Builders of Tomorrow companies will receive:

• Return flights and accommodation to the UAE and Saudi Arabia for a 4-day investor facing programme of events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.
• Two evening reception events hosted by HM Trade Commissioner and HM Ambassador at the Abu Dhabi and Riyadh Embassies that will target investors and key stakeholders. 
• Promotion to a highly curated audience of international Venture Capitalists, Corporate Venture Capital investors, intermediaries, and wider tech ecosystems.
• Promotion through wider UK Government and the sponsors media channels, our judges’ networks; and
• Inclusion in this year Green Builders of Tomorrow Lookbook (Venture Capital Investment Brochure) shared with the Venture Capital Unit's network of over 250 CVC and VC’s globally.  

 

Start-up criteria:

• A compelling investment proposition for the Gulf region
• UK headquarters and operations
• Seeking to raise between £5-100m in the next three quarters
• At least one active client or pilot
• Able to demonstrate strong market traction
• Actively contributing to the UK Government's ambition to achieve net zero
• Founder or CEO available to travel between 27-30 April 2025

 

Once submissions have been received, a joint UK, UAE and Saudi Arabian panel of industry experts will review the cohort and name VCU's Green Builders of Tomorrow. 

If you would like to be considered for this unique opportunity, please register by clicking on the button below by 27 February 2025.

 

Register

 

UK Government's Venture Capital Unit

The Department for Business and Trade's Venture Capital Unit secures long-term relationships with global Corporate and Venture Capital investors, attracting investment into UK companies and engagement with the vibrant UK ecosystem.

We promote the UK’s world class investment ecosystem, present leading start-ups at our sector-specific showcase events, organise roundtables at our Embassies and introduce pre-screened companies to known investors via sector brochures and single deals.

In the past five years, the Venture Capital Unit has facilitated £5bn of VC investment into UK start-ups. In addition, we encourage and support investors to establish a physical presence in the UK.

Our experienced team works directly with over 200 Corporate VCs, over 100 VC funds globally, matching interest and ambition with UK opportunities. 

 

GBOT Sponsors, Octopus Energy

 

Established in 2016, Octopus Energy is one of the fastest growing clean energy companies in the world. Octopus Energy is currently active in 27 countries across 5 continents, has close to 60 million direct and indirect customers, and manages c.$8bn in green energy assets across 12 institutional funds and separately managed accounts. 

It sits within the very DNA of the Company to drive the energy transition via the development of new technologies and clean tech investments. Through the development of Octopus Energy’s proprietary technologies, combined with the management of blue-chip institutional capital, we’re championing decarbonisation of the energy sector, which, as it stands, is responsible for 73% of greenhouse gas emissions. With operations across the entire clean energy value chain, Octopus Energy is uniquely positioned to unlock the generational investment potential of the Net Zero challenge by being able to underwrite the pathway to adoption.