💥 The Hard Truth: It's Not Enough to Build It

In ClimateTech and DeepTech, proving your tech works isn't enough.

You have to prove:

• Your tech works at scale
• Customers will pay
• Your unit economics improve over time
• Your solution is defensible — not just first

Yet today, only 10% of ClimateTech startups reach commercial viability.

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🛠️ The ClimateTech Ladder of Proof: 12 Steps to Scale

The Ladder of Proof is a structured roadmap founders can use to show technical, commercial, and financial readiness at every phase.

Here’s what it looks like:

1️⃣ Fresh Idea + Great Team

• Concept targeting a real climate problem.
• Founders have domain expertise.
• No revenue, early research, TRL ~2–3.

✅ Next: Secure early grants, build proof-of-concept.

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2️⃣ Big Market & Climate Need

• Problem space is huge (e.g., gigaton CO₂ opportunity).
• Macro trends + policy tailwinds confirmed.

✅ Next: Validate early adopters and market demand.

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3️⃣ Science Works in the Lab (TRL 3–4)

• Controlled lab results show feasibility.
• Patent search and early IP filings begin.

✅ Next: Start bench-scale planning.

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4️⃣ Patentable/Protectable Tech

• IP differentiation clear.
• Filing patents or trade secrets.

✅ Next: Secure Seed funding.

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5️⃣ Science Works at Scale (Bench Scale, TRL 4–5)

• Early pilot runs or real-environment data.
• Operational metrics start emerging.

✅ Next: Build first commercial partnerships.

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6️⃣ LOIs or Pilot Commitments

• Corporate partners issue LOIs.
• Pre-commercial pilot demand validated.

✅ Next: Push for Series A readiness.

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7️⃣ Minimal Product Deployment (TRL 5–6)

• Pilot version live in the field.
• First CAPEX/OPEX modeling.

✅ Next: Close first paying customers.

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8️⃣ Paying Customers & Early Revenue

• First contracts signed.
• Real product performance tracked.

✅ Next: Strengthen supply chain, prepare Series B.

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9️⃣ Customer Retention + Reliability

• Repeat customers or low churn.
• Strong climate impact data.

✅ Next: Expand deployments and revenue streams.

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🔝 Commercial Traction + Moats

• Multi-country deals, strong cost curve improvements.
• IP or regulatory advantage emerges.

✅ Next: Set up Series C or infra expansion.

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🌍 Global Scale / Market Leader

• Global presence, enterprise contracts, unstoppable brand momentum.
• Serious impact metrics (CO₂ savings, energy efficiency, circularity wins).

✅ Next: Plan Series D or IPO readiness.