ArcelorMittal has launched its search for the best companies and brightest ideas focused on breakthrough technologies which hold the potential to accelerate the decarbonisation of the steel industry. Breakthrough technology start-ups worldwide are invited to submit applications to compete for investment from ArcelorMittal's XCarb™ Innovation Fund, which aims to invest up to USD 100 million annually in such transformative technologies, and access to ArcelorMittal's advice and expertise in innovation, research and development, technology commercialisation and business mentorship. Aligned with ArcelorMittal's purpose, ‘Smarter steels for people and planet', the XCarb™ Innovation Fund invests in companies with the potential to accelerate the transition to low, and ultimately zero, carbon emissions steelmaking, enabling them to develop more quickly and achieve the scale needed for their technologies to become commercially viable.

This year, finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas at an Accelerator Day for the chance to secure investment support from the fund to scale up their pioneering projects and help drive progress towards a lower emissions future. The support on offer is not just monetary, successful applicants will also have access to: Unparalleled industry expertise and advice Industry leading research centres and R&D programs to accelerate technological development Commercial expertise regarding technologies, IP protection and global roll-out Significant back office and group functional capability to enable scale-up and speed up time to market Applicants will need to be registered start-ups with concepts for commercially scalable technologies that hold strong potential to decarbonise steelmaking. Eligible start-ups can apply from anywhere in the world as the fund is keen to make investments in the most innovative technology on a global basis, to support ArcelorMittal's decarbonisation journey.