Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) has opened its doors for prospective entrepreneurs with clean technology (cleantech) ideas to participate in the ClimateLaunchpad competition, one of the world’s largest green business ideas competition.
The engagement is deemed capable of transforming promising ideas that address climate change into impactful businesses. The program, supported by EIT Climate-KIC and TU Delft, and run locally by the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, helps aspiring entrepreneurs grow their cleantech ideas into global businesses.
Ideas eligible for the competition can be innovations in renewable energy, sustainable transition in the food supply chain, a mind shift in urban mobility, or any other way to tackle climate change. As long as it’s in the cleantech domain: “A scientific innovation that uses existing technology to do more with fewer resources, and has a commercial driver.
KCIC is calling for next-generation innovations from local creative thinkers to take advantage of this grant opportunity and showcase their ideas to the world. Chief Executive Officer of KCIC, Dr. Edward Mungai, is upbeat in anticipation of this renewal initiative.
“We have had very successful years previously, producing entrepreneurs who are utilizing organic products and methodologies to introduce climate-friendly solutions within new markets, not just locally but regionally,” he explains.
Upon the closing of the applications on 18th June 2021, selected participants will undergo rigorous training, incorporating an intensive digital boot camp and coaching sessions to prepare for the national finals. The top-three participants will pitch their ideas at the African regional finals. The winning teams will advance to the grand global finals in October 2021.
The world’s top 16 ideas will gain access to the Climate-KIC’s Accelerator, a program focused on “cleantech” commercialization. There are also cash prizes available to help the most viable start-ups to move forward and, ultimately, leave a positive impact.
The ClimateLaunchpad initiative has produced world-class entrepreneurs who make significant strides in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. The start-ups benefit from the green network, which sets them up to create climate impact.
A Kenyan startup, Leafy Ke, who won the prestigious climate competition with its innovative idea to generate fuel from used diapers, explained that their “goal is to use this seed round for product development, scaling technology and market validation.
Persons interested in entering the competition can download forms here.