Connect and build with founders, operators, and supporters in climate tech

Many great entrepreneurs and technologists want to help solve the paramount problem of our times, but they often don't know where to start or who to talk to. And many climate tech experts want to build companies alongside entrepreneurial talent. But right now, their communities are generally siloed with little overlap. This Fellowship bridges that gap.

ODCT brings together 150 startup and climate experts and helps them navigate the complex regulatory, funding and technical landscapes through a community of incredible peers. ODCT Fellows explore ideas, meet collaborators, and start, grow, and support companies in the climate tech space. 

On Deck has already launched over 330+ companies that have raised over $250m. We are focusing on climate to create serendipity for truly innovative and scalable climate tech solutions. Ultimately, the Fellowship's goal is to accelerate the speed at which talented people can contribute to the climate tech space through community, content, and structure you’ll need for the next 70+ years of climate innovation.

The complexity of the problem of climate change has created an unmet demand for talent of all types — from policy wonks to hardware engineers, and from corporate consultants to scientists. All types of people are needed, and all will play a part in building the paramount industry of our times.

During our selection process, we look for three things:

1. Expertise & Experience

• We look for candidates with world-class experience in tech, entrepreneurship, or deep domain knowledge in climate. You may be a climate scientist, policy expert, investor, founder, or employee at a climate tech company. Alternatively, you are likely an entrepreneur, tech employee or part of the corporate workforce in other industries determined to make a positive impact through a climate tech startup.
• If you are a startup expert, we look for founder, early employee, or VP/C-suite experience (you may also be an investor or advisor to compelling companies, have audacious side projects, etc.)
• If you are a climate expert, we look for a background that clearly demonstrates deep expertise in at least one aspect of climate science (PhD or rigorous academic background, experience building climate tech companies, etc.)

2. Timing

• We prioritize people with a bias for action. This means we look for those building or on the verge of building. Those Fellows tend to gain the most value from our programs.
• We also prioritize people with a demonstrated commitment and aptitude for advising, investing in, or otherwise supporting early to mid-stage climate tech companies.
• We welcome all stages of ideas and companies. You may come into the Fellowship openly exploring or looking to latch onto others' ideas. You may come in with a specific idea or MVP/prototype. Or you may have a company that you're actively building and raising more funds for.

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3. Spirit of Service

• We look for individuals who show a "spirit of service". Community is the core value of ODCT — we look for individuals who care about contributing to this community, helping others, and impacting the entire climate tech ecosystem by helping to accelerate the rate at which climate tech companies form and make positive impacts.

ODClimate Tech is an annual membership that costs $2,990/year ($1,490 for Fellows currently finishing PhD programs). All Fellows have the option to pay in four monthly installments (with no interest or additional charges). We’re also happy to work with your team, if applicable, to expense some or all of the cost through L&D. 

Our goal is to make the Fellowship accessible to the absolute best talent, no matter their financial situation. We run a need-blind application process and have a limited number of scholarships available thanks to our Access Fund. Information about scholarship applications will be provided to accepted Fellows closer to the kickoff date.

A new Fellowship begins every quarter (every January, April, July, and October). ODCT helps Fellows meet their goals of exploring ideas, meeting collaborators, and starting, growing or advising climate tech companies through networking and serendipitous connections with other talented and committed people in the climate tech space. This community of high caliber scientists, experts and operators will follow you deep into your ever-evolving climate tech career.

The On Deck Climate Tech Fellowship is composed of a mix of events and tools that help Fellows meet and engage with each other. Events range from socials and community events hosted by Fellows to discussions and office hours with leading experts in the climate tech space. Fellows have access to search and filter our internal Directory and Slack community to learn more about your peers and ask or answer questions. We also host climate-specific and cross-program build weekends with special guests and partners. All of this gives our Fellows unique opportunities to build relationships with scientists, founders, and experts across the climate tech space. 

After the initial onboarding weeks of the program, you also have a one year long membership at On Deck which gives you access to the climate tech alumni community slack channel and the directory. You'll have the option to join to renew this membership annually for continued access to all of what our community offers!

Yes. ODClimate Tech will be entirely remote. We’ve spent multiple cohorts mastering the playbook for building remote communities and relationship building online, and will apply the same approach here. This enables participation from all corners of the world. 

Post-COVID, we’ll return to organizing some offline programming like dinners, small gatherings, and retreats, but the core Membership will remain a remote-first experience.

After one year of membership, you will have the opportunity to renew your membership. If you choose not to renew your membership, you will lose access to all On Deck platforms, networks, and content.