Scaling Climate Tech Is About More Than Selling Products

Behind every successful climate tech company is often an ecosystem of partners helping them grow.

At Intersolar Europe, Aneri spoke with Jie Xiao from New Energy Nexus China (we are former colleagues!) about how the organization supported Tecloman during its early growth and how it continues to help clean energy startups expand into international markets.

Building relationships before building markets

One of the biggest misconceptions about startup accelerators is that they help startups sell.

As Jie explained, New Energy Nexus takes a different approach. Rather than helping companies sell directly, they help founders understand new markets, build trusted relationships, and connect with investors, industry experts, and ecosystem partners.

For companies entering unfamiliar markets, those introductions can be just as valuable as commercial leads.

Preparing companies for international growth

International expansion requires more than translating a website or attending a trade show.

According to Jie, New Energy Nexus helps startups understand local business cultures, activate regional networks, and connect with stakeholders who can provide context long before commercial discussions begin. The goal is to help companies make informed decisions about where—and how—to grow.

Trust is a competitive advantage

A recurring theme throughout the conversation was the importance of trust.

Whether introducing companies to new markets, facilitating conversations at international events, or connecting founders with local partners, relationships remain central to successful market entry. Technical expertise matters, but credibility and trusted introductions often determine whether those conversations become long-term partnerships.

Final Thoughts

As climate technologies become increasingly global, organizations like New Energy Nexus play an important role in helping startups navigate new markets.

Their work highlights an important lesson: scaling climate innovation isn’t just about developing better technology. It’s about building the networks, partnerships, and trust that allow those technologies to succeed internationally.

🎥 Listen to the interview to hear Jie Xiao discuss how New Energy Nexus supports climate tech startups and why ecosystem building is essential for international growth.

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