ClimateLaunchpad 2015 now open for applications

Europe’s largest cleantech business idea competition, ClimateLaunchpad 2015, is now open for entries in 23 countries.

Students, start-ups, entrepreneurs, researchers and employees dreaming of starting their own business are invited to submit their cleantech ideas. All entries are judged on their impact on climate change, their growth potential and on skills and enthusiasm.

A two-day business boot camp and a series of focused coaching sessions prepare the participants for the country finals where they will pitch their business plan to a professional jury. The three finalists of each country will enter the European final in September in the Netherlands. During the semi-finals, eight teams will be selected and gain access to the Climate-KIC Accelerator, the business school focused on developing and commercialising cleantech start-ups.

The overall winner of the European final also receives a cash prize of €10,000. The runner up will be awarded €5,000 and the third-place idea will win €2,500.

Frans Nauta, deputy director of entrepreneurship at Climate-KIC, said: “We see great opportunities for innovative businesses to combat climate change. This competition helps gathering the best ideas and connects people in the pan-European Climate-KIC network of entrepreneurs, universities, companies and investors. Together we shape the world’s next economy.”

The competition is open to participants based in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Application deadlines per country are available on the ClimateLaunchpad website.