ClimateLaunchpad

ClimateLaunchpad

Supports early-stage climate ventures through global competition, coaching, and investment readiness across all sectors.

Eligibility · Global — open worldwide

ClimateLaunchpad is Climate-KIC's flagship annual global competition for early-stage climate ventures, operating across 97 countries and structured as a multi-round elimination competition culminating in a Global Grand Final. The programme is free to enter — no programme fees are charged and no equity is taken. The 2026 cycle deadline was 15 May 2026 (with country-specific variations); the 2027 cycle is expected to open on a similar annual schedule. In 2026 the Global Grand Final was held in Singapore. The programme is wholly owned by Climate-KIC, the EU's Knowledge and Innovation Community for climate, established under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

Eligibility is tightly defined: the venture must be under two years old at application, must have raised less than €200,000 in total funding to date, and must not have sold products or services on commercial terms. Any climate-focused business idea from any sector qualifies; there is no geographic restriction on participation. Individual founders and incorporated ventures may apply. The programme advances selected teams through a structured learning journey: a mini-course, a boot camp to develop the idea, follow-up coaching, national finals, regional finals, and the Global Grand Final. Historical prize amounts at the Global Grand Final have been approximately €10,000 for first place, €5,000 for second, and €2,500 for third, though official prize amounts for future cycles should be confirmed on climatelaunchpad.org.

ClimateLaunchpad's primary value proposition extends beyond prize money to the coaching, feedback, international exposure, and network access gained during the competition process. Teams with pre-revenue climate ideas and no prior institutional funding who want structured validation before approaching investors are the clearest fit. Country-specific deadlines and local partner organisations are listed at climatelaunchpad.org; applicants should identify their country's partner early, as boot camp capacity is typically limited.