How ClimateLaunchpad prepares entrepreneurs for success
Five essential lessons from former participants:
ClimateLaunchpad is a competition, of course. But it’s so much more than that. We offer start-ups and entrepreneurs a unique opportunity not just to compete for the top prize, but to learn how to turn their sustainable ideas into successful businesses. Even if you don’t win, you’ll gain invaluable insights, skills, and tools that will propel you forward on your entrepreneurial journey. Participating in ClimateLaunchpad is, above all, an investment in your future as a sustainable entrepreneur.
Past participants of ClimateLaunchpad often describe their experience as transformative. Here are five key lessons they’ve learned:
1. The importance of a strong pitch story
Having a brilliant idea is one thing, but being able to communicate it effectively is another. ClimateLaunchpad teaches you how to craft a compelling pitch that captures the attention of investors, partners, and customers. Participants learn how to make their pitches sharp, clear, and attractive, ensuring that their ideas stand out and are taken seriously. As Théodore Caby, co-founder of Qaptis, explains, “During the competition, we learned how to structure our idea and turn it into a potential business, and how to communicate it to others.”
2. Focus on market validation
It’s crucial to determine whether there’s a market for your sustainable idea. During the competition, participants are guided on how to test their assumptions, gather feedback, and adjust their ideas to meet the needs of their target audience. This market validation process is essential in developing a viable business model. Tejas Sidnal of Carbon Craft Design shares, “Perhaps the biggest change was in recognising who is our customer. And where is our market? We had to figure it out; otherwise, there is no model. If you don’t know this, then you’re playing a blind game.”
3. Networking with impact
The connections made during ClimateLaunchpad can have a lasting impact. Participants network with mentors, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs who share a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. “It is encouraging to know communities exist that all strive to battle climate change,” says Munraj Sembhi of start-up Reaforma. Florent Héroguel, COO & co-founder of Bloom Biorenewables, also reflects, “We gained a lot of new friends, a big network. We’re still in touch with some of the Swiss teams. We really feel part of the community.”
4. Embrace agility and feedback
Success in entrepreneurship often requires flexibility and the willingness to adapt. ClimateLaunchpad encourages participants to continuously refine their ideas based on feedback and changing circumstances. Marina Belintani from MABE describes it wonderfully: “It was like therapy for your business – it helped me translate my mission and values into actionable steps.”
5. Turning ideas into action
One of the most significant takeaways from ClimateLaunchpad is the ability to transform vague concepts into actionable plans. Many entrepreneurs start with a vision, but bringing that vision to life requires concrete steps and a clear strategy. Olatunbosun Obayomi of the BioApplications Initiative experienced this transformation firsthand. “Before ClimateLaunchpad, it was just a concept. An idea that we were in love with and believed in. But it was just inside our heads and hearts,” he explains. The rigorous process of ClimateLaunchpad helped him and his team challenge their assumptions, refine their ideas, and better understand what was economically feasible.
Want to Join?
Feeling inspired by these stories? Ready to turn your sustainable idea into a successful business? Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook to stay updated. The next round of ClimateLaunchpad kicks off in the spring, and you could be standing on the winner’s podium next year with your breakthrough idea. Until then, let the stories of our past participants inspire you, and keep working toward your dream.
