Climate Launchpad: The Green Business Ideas Competition 2025

The Climate Launchpad is part of the entrepreneurship offerings of Climate KIC. This competition provides a platform for individuals with innovative ideas for climate solutions, helping them take the first steps toward entrepreneurial thinking, business planning, and pitching their ideas. The ultimate goal is to transform these ideas into impactful start-ups.

🌱 About the Green Business Ideas Competition

• Date Published: March 31, 2025
• Application Deadline: Ongoing
• Category: Contest
• Sponsor Organisation: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

This competition is a gateway to a global movement of changemakers tackling climate change with bold, innovative solutions. Participants will have the opportunity to refine their ideas through boot camps and coaching, connect with a worldwide network of experts and investors, and gain visibility to accelerate their impact.

🎁 Benefits of the Competition

1. 2025 Prizes:

   • The number one winner from each National Final and the Top-2 in each Regional Final will win a trip to Vienna, Austria, for the Global Grand Final event.
   • Additional prizes in the National and Regional Finals may vary by country and region. Prizes for the Global Grand Final will be announced soon.
   • Participants will gain new skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities to help their businesses thrive.

2. Prize Conditions:

   • If a team wins both the National Final and finishes in the Top-2 in the Regional Final, only one prize will be awarded.
   • For cash prizes, winners are responsible for any taxes, wire transfer costs, and other related expenses.
   • Climate KIC reserves the right to withdraw or change prizes at any time.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

1. Who Can Apply:

   • Anyone with a promising cleantech idea who dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.
   • Applicants can be new start-ups, SMEs, researchers, students, public organizations, consultants, engineers, or a combination of these.

2. Application Rules:

   • Applications must be submitted in the applicant's own country.
   • Applicants must meet the following conditions:
     • The business must not have been incorporated for more than two years.
     • The venture must have attracted less than €200,000 in total funding (including grants, loans, angel investments, etc.).
     • The business must not have sold products, solutions, or prototypes on commercial terms.

3. Eligible Countries:

   • Angola, Argentina, Austria, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Israel, Japan, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam.

4. What They Are Looking For:

   • Early-stage ideas with the potential to make a real difference in the fight against climate change.
   • Innovations across all cleantech sectors, including renewable energy, circular economy solutions, food system transformation, sustainable mobility, and nature-based approaches.
   • Even if your concept is just a sketch, you are encouraged to apply.

📝 Application Process

• Application Deadline: Varies by country. Ensure you submit your application before your country's deadline.
• Languages: Application forms will soon be available in French, Portuguese, and Spanish, but the program itself will be conducted in English.

Important Notes:

• Respect the strict word and character limits in the application form.
• Visit the Participating Countries page to find your country's registration deadline.
• Review the Terms & Conditions before applying. By applying, you accept these terms.

How to Apply:

• Visit the Green Business Ideas Competition page for more details.
• Submit your application through the Application Form.

🌟 Why Join?

By participating in Climate Launchpad, you will:

• Gain access to a global network of experts and investors.
• Refine your idea through boot camps and coaching.
• Acquire the tools, knowledge, and community support to turn your climate innovation into reality.

Take the first step toward making a global impact with your green business idea! 🌿

• 2025 Prizes:
  • In 2025, they are proud to announce that the number one winner from each National Final and the Top-2 in each Regional Final will be awarded with a trip to Vienna, Austria for their Global Grand Final event.
  • Additional Prizes in the National and Regional Finals may differ per country and region, and prizes for their Global Grand Final will be announced soon.
  • The big prize? A bunch of new acquired skills & knowledge and networking opportunities to get your business thriving.
• In the event that the same participating team wins both the National Final and finishes in the Top-2 in the Regional Final, only one prize will be awarded.
• In the case of cash prizes, all prize winners are responsible for any taxes, wire transfer costs and other possible costs related to receiving the prize.
• Climate KIC reserves the right to withdraw or change prizes at any time at their discretion.