Mapping the Climate Tech Ecosystem in Mexico

WDI’s comprehensive analysis of the region’s climate tech landscape is a catalyst for empowering climate tech entrepreneurs across Chihuahua WDI’s Energy and Mobility team completed a Climate Tech Ecosystem report and online map for the State of Chihuahua, Mexico as part of a collaboration with local innovation and climate tech leaders Startup Chihuahua and Startup Juárez, in addition to other partners. This initiative aims to boost awareness of the region’s climate tech landscape, connect key players and serve as a catalyst for empowering climate tech entrepreneurs across Chihuahua. Diana Páez, WDI Senior Director of Energy & Mobility, (picture above) presented the findings at Climate Week. in Chihuahua this week. Her presentation spotlighted the region’s climate tech strengths, identified critical gaps, and outlined opportunities for growth and collaboration. “Climate tech is an umbrella term for a vast range of innovations across renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, climate-resistant infrastructure, and water management—among other areas,” Páez said. “Companies working in climate tech face more uncertainty and complexity than in other sectors, so developing ways to strengthen the ecosystem in which they operate will be especially crucial for addressing climate challenges.” The project investigated the many players involved or planning to engage in the climate tech space in the state of Chihuahua, located in Northern Mexico near the Texas and New Mexico border. The state’s primary economic drivers—agriculture and manufacturing—are both vulnerable to and key contributors to climate change. To capture a comprehensive view of the region’s emerging innovation network, the WDI team gathered data through surveys, interviews and desk research between February and April of this year. The findings of this emerging ecosystem are reflected in an interactive map of over 80 organizations, including companies, universities, entrepreneurship incubators and accelerators, government agencies, NGOs and more. In addition to the map, the WDI team analyzed other dynamics of the ecosystem, which will be included in a report to be released in June. The map comprises multiple sectors, including clean energy, food and agriculture, air and environment, clean industry, energy efficiency, energy storage, water and transportation. The WDI team’s research reveals a dynamic and rapidly evolving climate tech sector: Climate tech companies in the state are engaged in all of these sectors and are exploring varying business models, with 80 percent currently generating revenue from carbon credits or with plans to do so in near future, according to the findings. Half of the climate tech companies were founded in just the last five years, indicating new players are entering the space, and most plan to add products or services related to climate tech to their businesses, Páez said. The research also delves into opportunities and challenges in areas such as available talent, know-how, the strength of existing networks, policy framework and funding available to spur climate tech innovation. “Startups, industry, government, academia, and others all have roles to play in growing a dynamic climate tech ecosystem,” said Andrés Guzmán, CEO of Startup Chihuahua. “This research can help bring visibility to key players, and also help us develop new strategies to increase our impact through innovation for climate.” The project is indicative of the Institute’s work supporting both entrepreneurs and the enabling environments that foster investment, launch and scaling of climate tech enterprises, including those advancing clean energy and sustainable mobility. “At WDI, we’re dedicated to strengthening local innovation ecosystems by working hand-in-hand with our partners,” Páez added. “This mapping effort shows where Chihuahua’s ecosystem stands today and will help inform the region’s next steps in driving climate tech innovation forward” Páez said. At WDI, we’re dedicated to strengthening local innovation ecosystems by working hand-in-hand with our partners. This mapping effort shows where Chihuahua’s ecosystem stands today and will help inform the region’s next steps in driving climate tech innovation forward. —Diana Páez, WDI Senior Director of Energy & Mobility About Startup Chihuahua Startup Chihuahua is a collective organization created to strengthen and energize the technological entrepreneurship ecosystem in the state of Chihuahua. It emerged thanks to DESEC and Chihuahua Futura as a result of Chihuahua’s participation in the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT REAP) in 2022, where local leaders defined a strategic plan to transform the regional economy through innovation and technology. This initiative, supported by multiple stakeholders such as the government, academia, and private industry, is dedicated to attracting, promoting and supporting technology startups and companies.