C2M: Empowering Entrepreneurs - $500M Funding Secured

MetLife Inc. and the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, are excited to announce the opening of applications for the 2024 startup cohort of the Cleantech to Market (C2M) accelerator program, which will remain open until March 10. Startups nationwide are invited to apply, aiming to showcase the most promising climate technology innovations.

Selected startups will be partnered with interdisciplinary graduate student teams to receive comprehensive commercialization support at no cost. At the conclusion of the program, these student teams will present their recommendations and vie for the MetLife Climate Solutions Awards, designed to further bolster the winning solutions.

This marks MetLife's third year of participation in the C2M accelerator program. As part of its involvement, MetLife employees volunteer their expertise in business development and management to assist students in advancing the business plans and strategies of their assigned startups. The program perfectly aligns with MetLife's commitment to contribute $5 million towards fostering climate-related partnerships and solutions.

“At MetLife, we recognize that working toward a resilient environment requires collective action from multiple stakeholders,” said MetLife Vice President, Global Sustainability and Climate Lead, Josh Wiener. “By partnering with the Haas School of Business on the C2M accelerator program, we’re helping bring together MetLife employees, startups and students to advance innovative climate solutions.”

MetLife has a rich tradition of embracing technological advancements and fostering an environment of innovation. The C2M accelerator program epitomizes this ethos, providing MetLife employees with valuable exposure to cutting-edge technologies spanning various industries, such as low-carbon energy, green chemistry, and water technologies.

"MetLife’s involvement in C2M has expanded our support for current and future climate tech leaders participating in the program,” said Brian Steel, director of the C2M program since 2012. “We look forward to welcoming this year's cohort of students and startups and connecting them with the skills and expertise of MetLife employees later this year.”

Established by students in 2008, C2M has connected over 200 researchers and entrepreneurs with graduate student teams. A significant portion of the technologies supported by C2M teams has transitioned into startups, collectively securing over $500 million in disclosed funding and providing employment for around 400 individuals.

To know more about MetLife’s commitment to sustainability, click here .