Accelerating starts-ups' Net Zero potential: Herbert Smith Freehills and Carbon13 partnership

Carbon13 is a climate tech accelerator based in Cambridge, UK, and Berlin, Germany. It selects, supports and invests in ambitious and talented individuals through their venture building programmes, focusing on building for-profit, scalable climate ventures which have a meaningful impact on the planet.

Dylan Doran Kennett, Partner and Co-Head of Venture and Growth Capital, EMEA & Americas, says: "We are honoured to partner with Carbon13, a true trailblazer supporting ventures to position themselves at the forefront of ClimateTech and helping us reach a net-zero future.

A start-up's lifecycle is an exciting, but often complex, course; drawing upon our expertise advising VC and high growth companies, combined with our experience supporting energy transition and decarbonisation initiatives, we will be a specialist and dependable voice throughout their journey."

Herbert Smith Freehills will provide legal advice for Carbon13's programmes, drawing upon a range of specialisms including private capital (in particular, venture capital and growth equity), ESG advisory, the energy transition, intellectual property, planning and employment to support clients' needs.

Dr Nicky Dee, Co-founder and CEO at Carbon13, says: “It’s brilliant to bring Herbert Smith Freehills into the Carbon13 ecosystem to boost the legal provision we can offer to our startups. Quality advice given at the genesis of a venture can be pivotal to a startup’s resilience and growth strategy. We’re delighted that Herbert Smith Freehills legal team will now be utilising their experience and skillsets to personally contribute to pioneering solutions to the climate emergency through this partnership.”

Herbert Smith Freehills will join other industry players supporting Carbon13's initiatives, including Barclays Eagle Labs, Arm and Siemens Energy Ventures.

Nicky continues: "All parts of our economy have a role to play in supporting our entrepreneurs to deliver the scalable solutions to the climate emergency and it’s part of Carbon13’s mission to be a conduit between leading experts at large companies and visionary entrepreneurs on the ground. I look forward to seeing the fruits of this work.”

Working with Carbon13 in a personal capacity since its inception, Dylan notes that "It has been a real privilege to see its incredible trajectory, and I'm excited for this next chapter in its development – I'm very glad we can play a part.”