GreenTECH Tunisie: Accelerating Sustainable Innovation
GreenTECH Tunisie, officially launched on September 23, 2025, at THE DOT by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) in partnership with Smart Capital, aims to accelerate sustainable innovation. This initiative is part of the Greenov'i project, supported by the European Union through the "Tunisia Green & Sustainable" program and implemented by Expertise France, CITET, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Economy.
Objectives and Funding
The program plans to finance 32 startups in the ideation phase and support 10 startups and SMEs in the launch phase, creating around 300 jobs in key sectors of the ecological transition, such as:
- Renewable energy
- Sustainable mobility
- Eco-construction
- Waste management
- Sustainable agriculture
- Water technologies
Institutional Support
During the event, several institutional officials highlighted the strategic importance of the project and the role of each partner. The CDC reaffirmed its commitment to the ecological transition, while the European Union and Expertise France emphasized their technical and financial support. Two financial instruments were presented:
- VAIR (Venture Acceleration for Impact and Resilience) to finance startups in the ideation phase
- MAIR (Market Access for Impact and Resilience) to support startups and SMEs in the commercialization phase
Access to Funding
An interactive session detailed the modalities for accessing these funds. Néjia Gharbi, General Manager of the CDC, explained that beyond the proposed financial instruments, there is support for developing a minimum viable product (MVP) that is commercializable. Dedicated funds finance projects with a positive environmental impact, which is often an advantage for accessing funding, sometimes required by funders. This type of support is accessible to innovative startups and SMEs.
Environmental and Social Policy
The CDC applies an environmental and social policy by regularly evaluating the environmental and social impact of interventions, both for startups and innovative SMEs. The goal of GreenTECH Tunisie is to support solutions for a more resilient, ecological, and green Tunisia, prioritizing a green and circular economy. Sustainable development, energy efficiency, and economic management of water and other resources are at the heart of this approach.
Beneficiary Startups
Several beneficiary startups of the program are already active, have participated in events, and won prizes, particularly in the water and energy sectors, with a strong focus on energy efficiency. The CDC's director also presented the project and its financing, highlighting that innovative startups and SMEs in the environmental and energy fields benefit from support under the Greenov'i project, funded by the European Union and implemented with Expertise France.
Funding and Job Creation
The project includes financing for 32 startups and support for 10 innovative SMEs, with a total funding of approximately 2 million euros. A support capsule is set up to facilitate access to funding. The call is launched for startups to prove they have a positive environmental impact, which is an essential criterion for obtaining funds. The objective is also to contribute to job creation, both direct and indirect, by helping these companies develop in national and international markets.
Social Impact
To date, 150 startups have benefited from the program, with the possibility of extending this number to 230 by 2028. The program places particular emphasis on startups created and led by women and those located in Tunisia, considering this social impact as strategic.
Conclusion
In summary, GreenTECH Tunisie represents an integrated policy aimed at accelerating ecological innovation through targeted financial, technical, and commercial support for innovative startups and SMEs, to promote a more sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally respectful Tunisian economy.
