About ClimateLaunchpad

COVID-19 and how we will continue to support green entrepreneurs across the globe

The world has been turned upside down. We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. We are committed to keep supporting green entrepreneurship with all the resources available to us. Fixing climate change continues to be a priority.

We are working on solutions to keep our programme going in this new reality with safety and accessibility as our primary drivers. The most significant change is that the entire 2020 edition of our competition was held remote and executed online.

We will post updates on the way things will be set up for 2021. In the meantime: stay safe, stay sane and keep on tackling climate change. Together we can do this.

What is ClimateLaunchpad?

ClimateLaunchpad is the world’s largest green business ideas competition. Our mission is to unlock the world’s cleantech potential that addresses climate change. The competition creates a stage for those ideas. ClimateLaunchpad is part of the Entrepreneurship offerings of EIT Climate-KIC.

Who are we?

We are people determined to address the negative impacts of climate change by way of innovation and invention. ClimateLaunchpad is run by a central team, located in the Netherlands, which is supported by national teams who organise the competition in their country.

Why are we passionate about ClimateLaunchpad?

Here’s the thing. We are dead serious about tackling climate change. And we’re convinced that investing in ideas and entrepreneurs is the way to go about it. A green and clean future demands thousands of innovations challenging the current business models. That’s why.

What do we do?

There are a lot of great ideas out there for improving lives and reducing emissions. Some of them remain in the idea stage, never taking the next step and becoming viable. Some of them need an extra push. They need a bit of mentoring. Some training. The benefit of experience. They need lessons from entrepreneurial failures and successes. With coaching and support, a number of ideas can become reality.

This is where we come in. The team at ClimateLaunchpad supports new cleantech startups. We do this with partners around the globe. ClimateLaunchpad offers training, coaching, and support.

You can join us

The network of ClimateLaunchpad partners is a powerful one. They are dedicated to encourage innovation in their countries and work with a range of local partners including businesses, investors, chambers of commerce, and local government. They are optimistic and believe they can bring about change.

Does this sound like something you’d like to be a part of? There are opportunities to join the team at ClimateLaunchpad. We operate on a global scale. So no matter where you’re located, you can apply to be a new partner.

To give you a sense of what you need to organise ClimateLaunchpad in your country, here is a quick checklist:

  • A great network of clean tech entrepreneurs in your country
  • An organisation that can enter into a legal contract with us
  • Time and energy

How does the competition work?

ClimateLaunchpad helps you get your idea battle-proof. There are three rounds to the competition:

Step 1: Online Course & Boot Camp

ClimateLaunchpad kicks off with a 3-day Boot Camp in your own country. Our trainers will teach you all you need to know about jump-starting your business.

Step 2: Intensive coaching and National Finals (and if applicable Regional Finals)
The Boot Camp is followed by a period of intensive coaching. You’ll perfect your pitch, value proposition and business model. After that, you’re ready to rock your National Final where you’ll pitch in front of the National Jury. If applicable, the top teams may go on to Regional Finals*. Winning teams of National and/or Regional Finals get to compete in the Global Grand Final.

Step 3: Global Grand Final
There is prize money to be won. The overall winner of the Global Grand Final receives € 10,000, the runner up gets € 5,000 and the idea that comes in third place wins € 2,500. The top 16 teams selected by the jury to perform in the Final Round of the Global Grand Final, will automatically get direct access to the Climate-KIC ClimateLaunchpad Accelerator, the renowned business school where great ideas grow into great businesses.

What kind of ideas is ClimateLaunchpad looking for?

Your idea can be an innovation in renewable energy, a sustainable transition in the food chain, a mind shift in urban mobility or any other way to tackle climate change. As long as it’s in the cleantech domain: “a scientific innovation that uses existing technology to do more with fewer resources, and has a commercial driver.” Check out this video from Simply Science for a thorough explanation of the cleantech space.
Even if your idea is still on the back of a napkin, you’re most welcome to join. Not sure if your idea fits the bill? Contact us, we’re happy to help.

What can I win?

Prizes in the National (and if applicable Regional Finals) differ per country and region. The overall Winner of the Global Grand Final receives € 10,000, the runner up gets € 5,000 and the idea that comes in third place wins € 2,500. All prizewinners are responsible for any taxes, wire transfer costs and other possible costs related to receiving the prize money. The top 16 teams selected by the jury to perform in the Final Round of the Global Grand Fina, will automatically get direct access to the Climate-KIC ClimateLaunchpad Accelerator, the renowned business school where great ideas grow into great businesses.

Meet the ClimateLaunchpad team

We are the central team behind ClimateLaunchpad. Drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.

We also work with a great team of trainers. When you’re done getting to know us below, click here to learn more about them.

About ClimateLaunchpad - ClimateLaunchpad - Cleantech business idea competition 2016

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