Applications are now open for the 2026 Climate Launchpad green business ideas competition. Climate Launchpad is the world’s largest green business ideas competition. Innovation and invention can lead the way to a clean future. Have a green business or idea you want to develop further? Then join teh competition. You don’t need a business plan yet, early ideas are welcome. The programme is free and all applicants get free access to an online green start-up mini-course. ClimateLaunchpad is built for early-stage climate innovators, especially if you’re at the idea or concept stage.
The free programme guides you step-by-step through the fundamentals of building and testing a climate venture, in a supportive, global community designed for first-time founders.
Requirements
- Anyone with a promising cleantech idea who dreams of becoming an entrepreneur should join. You can be a new start-up, SME, researcher, student, public organisation, consultant, engineer, a combination of the above or something that doesn’t fit a job title.
You can only apply in your own country and you can only enter if:
- You have not yet started a business or your company has been incorporated for less than two years (definition: your legal entity does not exist for more than 2 years);
- Your new venture has attracted less than € 200.000 in total funding (this includes all funding, like grants, government loans, angel and/or VC investments, et cetera)
- You have not yet sold products, solutions or prototypes on commercial terms.
You cannot enter ClimateLaunchpad if you have:
- Already been accepted into Climate-KIC (pre-/Clim)Accelerator with the same idea;
- Already been accepted into ClimateLaunchpad (or the former CleanLaunchpad) in a previous year with the same idea.
Prize
National Final
First Place Winner: Trip to Singapore*
Includes:
- Return travel for one representative from the first-place winning start-up from their nearest capital city to Singapore
- 2-nights hostel accommodation
- Invitation to an official networking event
- Ticket to attend the ClimateLaunchpad Global Grand Final in Singapore
- A booth at the event innovators fair where they can showcase their products/services
First & Second Place Winners: Trip to Singapore and the chance to pitch at the Global Grand Final*
Includes:
-
- Return travel for one representative from the winning start-up from their nearest capital city to Singapore
- 2-nights hostel accommodation
- Invitation to an official networking dinner
- Ticket to attend the ClimateLaunchpad Global Grand Final in Singapore
- A booth at the event innovators fair where they can showcase their products/services
- Pitching spot at the Global Grand Final as one of the Top-8 start-ups
Important Note:
If a start-up wins both 1st place in their National Final and qualifies through the Regional Finals, only one trip will be awarded.
What you can expect
- Access to a global community of climate innovators and like-minded individuals
- Free to join, there are no programme fees
- No equity taken, you stay 100% in control
- You keep full ownership of your ideas and intellectual property
- Hands-on boot camp training and expert coaching
- Opportunities to pitch and gain visibility at National, Regional and Global Finals
Themes
The selected themes for this year:
- Adaptation & Resilience
- Blue Economy
- Circular Economies
- Clean Energy
- Food Systems
- Sustainable Mobility
- Urban Solutions
- The Next Big Thing
The programme
Step 0 – Start Learning
Mini-course
After you apply, you’ll unlock our online climate entrepreneurship course covering climate basics, systems thinking, and entrepreneurial mindset.
What you’ll gain
- Self-directed micro-learning on climate innovation
- Practical tools to shape your idea
- Skills you can use for any future venture
Step 1 – Build your idea
Boot Camp
Selected teams join an interactive virtual boot camp with expert trainers to strengthen their idea, business model, and pitch.
What you’ll gain
- Live training sessions with our experts
- Practical tools to improve your venture
- Clear next steps forward
Step 2 – test and refine
Follow-up coaching and National Finals
You’ll receive targeted coaching to test assumptions, refine your story, and prepare to pitch.
What you’ll gain
- Expert feedback and coaching
- Pitch readiness
- A chance to win a ticket to our Global Grand Final event
Step 3 – compete internationally
Regional Finals
The Top-3 teams from each country advance to pitch online against the strongest start-ups across Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
The Top-2 per region move on.
What you’ll gain
- International pitching experience
- Exposure to global audiences and networks
- Feedback from expert juries
- A chance to pitch at the Global Grand Final
Step 4 – The global stage
Global Grand Final
We bring together our worldwide community of climate innovators, including National Final winners and top regional teams, to celebrate bold ideas and breakthrough solutions.
What you’ll gain
- A place in a global climate innovation community
- International visibility and connections
- Experience pitching on a world stage
Final Round
The global top-8 pitch live for cash prizes in front of an international jury.
The ClimateLaunchpad 2026 Global Grand Final takes place in Singapore.
Accepted participants get a 3-day boot camp, mentoring, and the chance to compete in National and Regional finals. Top performers win a trip to the Global Grand Final in Singapore.
Deadlines vary by country — visit the official site now to find your country’s closing date and apply early.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Climate Launchpad green business ideas competition
