SUI in the Venture Readiness Framework SUI in the Venture Readiness Framework The CleantechHUB Venture Readiness Framework (VRF) is the structured assessment and acceleration programme through which CTH evaluates, supports, and connects climate startups to capital. The SUI framework is embedded in the VRF as a mandatory component for startups seeking access to CTH's investor network and blended finance facilitation services. VRF Overview The VRF assesses startups across five readiness dimensions: Dimension What it assesses SUI Relevance 1. Technology Readiness TRL level, IP protection, scalability of the core technology SUI specificity criterion — is the application event technically reproducible? 2. Market Readiness Market size, customer discovery, go-to-market traction SUI scalability criterion — does the market allow repeated SUI application events? 3. Team Readiness Founder-market fit, team completeness, advisory board SUI quantifiability — does the team have data science / measurement competency? 4. Financial Readiness Financial model, funding history, use of funds clarity SUI-WACC linkage — has the team mapped SUI verification to financing pathway? 5. Impact Readiness SUI definition, SSOT status, verification plan, MDB alignment The SUI framework is the primary tool for assessing Impact Readiness Impact Readiness: The SUI Component Impact Readiness is scored on a 0–100 scale, with the following sub-components: Sub-component Weight What Earns Points SUI Definition Quality 25% All five criteria met (Specificity, Attribution, Quantifiability, Verifiability, Scalability); taxonomy linkage documented Baseline Robustness 15% Official or peer-reviewed baseline source; geographic and temporal specificity; degradation plan SSOT Maturity 20% Level 1–3 assessment; data governance documented; verifier access defined Verification Status 25% 0 pts: no plan; 10 pts: verifier identified; 20 pts: methodology reviewed; 25 pts: full third-party verification complete MDB/Taxonomy Alignment 15% AIMM self-score completed; EU Taxonomy or TNFD linkage documented; DFI engagement initiated VRF Milestones and SUI Requirements The VRF programme is structured as a 6-month journey with four milestones, each with specific SUI deliverables: Milestone 1 (Month 1): SUI Definition Deliverable: Completed SUI Specification Document (all 8 parameters, taxonomy mapping, baseline documentation) CTH support: Two facilitated workshops with the CTH Impact Team; access to SUI Template and baseline data resources Gate condition: SUI Specification must score ≥60/100 on the CTH SUI Quality Rubric (see next page) Milestone 2 (Month 2–3): SSOT Roadmap Deliverable: SSOT Architecture document (data sources, system design, governance rules, current maturity level assessment) CTH support: Technical advisory from CTH's data team; introduction to SSOT tooling partners Gate condition: Clear pathway to SSOT Level 2 within 12 months; data governance policy drafted Milestone 3 (Month 4): Verification Plan Deliverable: Signed engagement letter with an independent verifier; verification scope and timeline agreed CTH support: Warm introductions to CTH's network of certified impact verifiers (ISAE 3000-qualified, sector-experienced) Gate condition: Verification engagement in place; cost budgeted in financial model Milestone 4 (Month 5–6): Investor Readiness Package Deliverable: Complete impact readiness package for investor distribution: SUI Spec + SSOT summary + verification status + AIMM self-score + blended finance opportunity map CTH support: Facilitated investor introductions; pitch coaching on impact narrative Gate condition: Impact Readiness score ≥75/100; at least one investor or DFI engagement meeting scheduled SUI in the CTH Investment Thesis CTH's investment thesis (for ventures in which CTH takes an advisory equity stake) explicitly prioritises startups that meet or are on a clear pathway to meeting SUI verification standards. The rationale: Verified SUI increases the probability of blended finance access, reducing the startup's equity dilution requirement and protecting CTH's advisory equity value SSOT systems produce the data quality that CTH's own impact reporting to its funders (P4G, AFCIA, SDC, Energy Catalyst) requires — a verified portfolio startup is a reportable result Startups with verified SUIs are more fundable, reducing the time-to-investment and increasing the success rate of CTH-facilitated fundraises — the primary metric of CTH's programme effectiveness Next: Scoring Rubric for SUI Assessment — the detailed scoring criteria used in VRF evaluations.