ClimateLaunchpad 2026 – Start-up Applications

Expired government · Found: 2026-04-20 23:11

Applications open for ClimateLaunchpad 2026 – Europe's largest green business ideas competition. Deadline 2026-05-15.

Source: https://www.climate-kic.org/open-call/start-ups-applications-for-climatelaunchpad-2026/

Funding Details

Funder

Climate KIC (EIT Climate-KIC)

Funding Goal

Support early-stage climate innovation startups through training, coaching, mentoring, and a global pitching competition to help them validate their business models, raise investment, and build sustainable climate-focused ventures

Funding Amount

Free to join — no programme fees. Prizes awarded at National, Regional, and Global Grand Final stages (prize amounts not specified on this page). Alumni have raised over EUR 500 million in investment through the programme.

Deadline

2026-05-15 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Apply online at bit.ly/3EJgPMU or via climatelaunchpad.org. Deadlines vary by country — check country-specific deadlines on the website. Programme runs: Step 0 (mini-course), Step 1 (boot camp), Step 2 (follow-up coaching and national finals), Step 3 (regional finals), Step 4 (Global Grand Final in Singapore). Contact: info@climatelaunchpad.org.

Target Region

Global — operating in 97 countries

Contact

info@climatelaunchpad.org

Last Checked

2026-04-20 23:55

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Venture must be under 2 years old
• Total funding raised must be less than EUR 200,000
• No commercial sales yet — pre-revenue or early revenue stage

Project Scope

• Climate or sustainability focus required

Required Documents

• Submit application via bit.ly/3EJgPMU or climatelaunchpad.org

Constraints

• Application deadline varies by country — check climatelaunchpad.org
• Programme is free — no participation fees

Summary

ClimateLaunchpad 2026 is the 13th edition of the world's largest green business ideas competition, operated by EIT Climate-KIC across 97 countries. The programme is free to enter and targets early-stage sustainability and climate-focused startup ventures. Since its launch in 2014, over 5,000 teams have participated, with alumni having raised more than EUR 500 million in aggregate investment. The programme's thematic scope covers all areas of climate innovation and sustainability — energy transition, circular economy, food systems, mobility, nature, water, and related sectors. There is no sector restriction, making any climate-relevant startup eligible to apply. The focus is on business model validation, entrepreneurial coaching, and connecting startups to investors and a global network of changemakers. Eligible applicants must be startup ventures under two years old, with less than EUR 200,000 in total funding raised, and not yet selling products or services on commercial terms. The programme is open globally across 97 countries. The programme structure runs in four steps: bootcamp and idea development (Step 1), coaching and national finals (Step 2), regional finals (Step 3), and the Global Grand Final in Singapore (Step 4). Winners at each stage receive prizes (amounts not specified on the programme page). Participants gain expert coaching, mentoring, structured learning, investor introductions, and a global network. The programme is managed by EIT Climate-KIC, a European Knowledge and Innovation Community initiated by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), with public benefit status (ANBI) and registered in the Netherlands. The 2026 Global Grand Final will be held in Singapore.

Historical Context

ClimateLaunchpad has operated since 2014 across 97 countries as the world's largest green business ideas competition. Over 5,000 teams have participated. 500 training bootcamps delivered. Alumni have collectively raised more than EUR 500 million in investment. Operated by EIT Climate-KIC (European Institute of Innovation and Technology Knowledge and Innovation Community).

Why it was added

discovered from funder #153: EIT Climate-KIC

Sources

• https://www.climate-kic.org/open-call/start-ups-applications-for-climatelaunchpad-2026/

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