Deadline: 22-Apr-21
Applications are now open for the ClimateLaunchpad – the Global Green Business Ideas Competition to support start-ups that address climate change and shape the world’s next economy.
ClimateLaunchpad is the world’s largest clean-tech and green business ideas competition across 50 countries. The competition was founded and initiated by EIT Climate-KIC – the European Union’s major climate innovation initiative – and facilitated across Australia by Climate-KIC Australia.
Climate-KIC Australia supports the most promising start-ups through various pipelines and pathways with the many national partners. Participating in the Australian ClimateLaunchpad can also give you access into other competitions, Pre- and Accelerator Programs, social impact programs and other networks.
The full program is free of charge for anyone within Australia accepted into the competition. The boot camps will be delivered online through Zoom, and it is up to you to have the relevant software installed and adequate internet to participate.
Program Structure
- Call for applications: Apply with your green business idea online. It doesn’t matter if your idea is still on the back of a napkin or if you have already registered a business: they are looking for potential climate impact and scalability, all the rest you’ll get during your training. Cohorts of 8-10 start-ups (2-5 people in each team) are selected.
- Online course: Successful applicants undertake online modules to provide a base level of understanding of entrepreneurship.
- Boot camp: Intensive bootcamps are led by certified ClimateLaunchpad coaches who will teach you all you need to know about commercialising your business idea. Each team develops a professional, fully-realised pitch-deck and gains capability to take their business idea to start-up stage.
- Webinars: A series of webinars help teams test with real customers and refine their business model, value proposition and pitch. The webinars are delivered by alumni who have gone on to build successful start-ups.
- Pitch panels: A chance to pitch in front of renowned judges and unlock opportunities to pathways to market. The top-rated teams proceed to the National final.
- Mentoring: National finalists are matched to an expert mentor to help them prepare for the Final and further improve their business concept and communication.
- National final: At the National Final, teams pitch to industry renowned judges. Startups connect to local investors, accelerators and corporate partners.
- Regional final: The top teams in Australia pitch alongside the best teams from SE Asia for a coveted spot in the global finals. Start-ups connect to regional investors, accelerators and corporate partners.
- Global final: The top teams from the region proceed to the Global Grand Final and the chance to present at the premier clean tech start-up event in the world. Teams connect to global investment and partnership opportunities.
How it works
- Train
- Learn all you can on how to successfully start your green business. ClimateLaunchpad kicks off with an intensive Boot Camp & follow-up coaching sessions.
- Compete
- Present your investor-ready pitch deck at State pitch nights, National Finals and the Global Grand Final. Convince their jury and you’ll convince any client or investor.
- Launch
- Yep, of course there are prizes and pathways for the Global Grand Final winners. The real prize? Networking opportunities and a chance to find your first customer or investor.
- The competition is open to any Australian resident, 18 years and older, with an innovative cleantech or green business idea – whether it’s fully fledged or sketched on the back of a coaster. As an early stage start-up, small- to medium-sized enterprise, researcher, student, public organisation, consultant or anyone else you’re welcome.
- They encourage you to apply as a team of at least 2 people. You don’t have a team mate, yet? You can still apply and if successful invite a colleague or friend to attend the Boot Camp with you.
- You can not enter ClimateLaunchpad if you’ve already been accepted into EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator or have participated in ClimateLaunchpad with the same business idea in a previous year.
- You can enter if:
- you have not yet started a business or your company has been incorporated for less than a year (definition: your legal entity does not exist for more than 1 year);
- you have attracted less than € 200.000 in investment (definition: no funding as a venture. Funding as a student is not counted);
- you have not yet sold products, solutions or prototypes on commercial terms.
For more information, visit https://climate-kic.org.au/clp21/