The Global Innovation Hub
WHERE CLEANTECH ENTREPRENEURS MEET OPPORTUNITIES

What Will You Do Next?

Looking to scale your innovation? Need ideas, resources and advice to take your start-up or scale-up to the next level? From agriculture to transport, recycling, chemicals, clean energy and the latest in AI, you can search for and find opportunities to work with corporates, investors, accelerators and programs dedicated to helping us create a cleaner, cooler future.

Cleantech Group is an active partner on these challenges:

Past Innovation Challenges

You can search and filter through challenges by typing in the search field or by using the dropdowns below.

Click here to view the current challenges.

  • Sectors

Startup Wise Guys

Accelerator Program
Startup Wise Guys SaaS acceleration Africa program will prov...

Startup Wise Guys SaaS acceleration Africa program will provide an optimized approach that delivers tailored guidance and support from world class mentors and experts. This accelerator program will help you navigate the bumps in the company building road, revolutionize your go-to-market strategy and encourage you to bring your A game.

Find Out More

Greentown Go Build 2023 with Saint-Gobain

GoBuild Startup Challenge
Go Build 2023 with Read more

Go Build 2023 with Saint-Gobain is accelerating the commercialization of technologies to decarbonize the built environment, from conception to breaking ground, retrofitting, demolition, and recycling. View the request for applications.

Find Out More

InnoEnergy, European Green Hydrogen Acceleration Center

Call for Projects - Scouting H2 Projects in Need for Investment - ECHA, EGHAC + the Commission to Collaborate

EIT InnoEnergy’s European Green Hydrogen Accel...

EIT InnoEnergy’s European Green Hydrogen Acceleration Center (EGHAC) have recently announced that we renewed their partnership with the European Commission to accelerate green hydrogen initiatives. You can find more details here.

We are aiming to reach relevant green hydrogen projects and technologies to apply for this call, which will consist in a due diligence process resulting in the opportunity for the selected initiatives being eligible for equity investment and accessing key investment players in Europe. Interested projects and technology ventures can fill in a high-level questionnaire by the 15th of July 2023. Finalists will participate in the Green H2 Investment Day at the end of the year in Brussels with 20+ investors present.

You can find the recording of the webinar which explains the process and all relevant information like selection criteria here and in the presentation attached.

Please reach out to info-eghac@innoenergy.com for specific questions.

Find Out More

ADNOC

$1 Million Decarbonization Technology Challenge
The Decarbonization Technology Challenge invites innovators ...

The Decarbonization Technology Challenge invites innovators from across the globe to enter for a chance to win up to $1 million in piloting opportunities with ADNOC, to demonstrate greenhouse gas reducing potential.

Ten finalists will be selected to present their technology to a panel of judges in the UAE in December 2023.

Find Out More

Octopus

Springboard is a 3-month part-time programme that is free of charge
Octopus Springboard is a 3-month part-time programme that is...

Octopus Springboard is a 3-month part-time programme that is free of charge, hands-on, and will help successful applicants:

  • Become investor ready with a stronger idea of target markets and product/market fit
  • Gain access to Octopus’ extensive network of portfolio companies, corporates and experts
  • Complete 1-2-1 engagements with industry/corporates, and potentially establish good relationships and possibility of follow-on projects and pilots..
  • Gain access to experienced, sector relevant advisors – these are people who can mentor and share their learnings with you, as well as introduce you to relevant people.

The programme will likely lead to investments of £500k-£1m by Octopus Ventures in some of the companies completing the programme, subject to Investment Committee approval and standard Octopus processes.

Find Out More

Saint-Gobain

APAC Startup Challenge
As the global leader in light and sustainable construction, ...

As the global leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain is committed to building a more sustainable future with clean and green building technology. From 3D printing and energy-efficient materials to immersive technologies and enhanced delivery optimization, Saint-Gobain are looking to collaborate with startups in APAC region that are committed to leveraging technology and innovation to build a better world.

Selected startups will get to be fast-tracked toSLINGSHOT’s Top 50 startups. They will also receive funding opportunities, mentorship, and access to invaluable resources to turn their ideas into reality. Apply today and help build a more sustainable world!

Find Out More

Greentown Labs Go Make 2023

Advancing Solutions For Carbon Utilization, Storage and Traceability
Go Make 2023 aims to enable a circular, net-zero economy by ...

Go Make 2023 aims to enable a circular, net-zero economy by advancing solutions for carbon utilization, storage, and traceability.  Greentown Labs and Shell are looking for startups at TRL 2-7 with innovations for carbon utilization and management across a variety of applications.

Find Out More

Swire

Swire Properties: HVAC Energy Reduction
Funded Pilot Opportunity: Swire Properties seeks to reduce t...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: Swire Properties seeks to reduce the overall carbon footprint associated with HVAC systems in existing commercial buildings within dense urban environments.

Find Out More

Swire

HK Express: Inflight Waste & Single-use Plastic Reduction
Funded Pilot Opportunity: HK Express (HKE) seeks a solution ...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: HK Express (HKE) seeks a solution to reduce in-flight single-use plastics (SUP) and promote circularity through waste-to-energy/materials in Hong Kong from its inflight disposable waste.

Find Out More

Swire

Cathay Pacific: Office Waste Diversion
Funded Pilot Opportunity: Cathay Pacific is looking for solu...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: Cathay Pacific is looking for solutions reduce waste production and increase recycling rates in its Hong Kong office.

Find Out More

Swire

Cathay Pacific: Toolset for Material Selection
Funded Pilot Opportunity: Cathay Pacific seeks a data and so...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: Cathay Pacific seeks a data and software solution to  understand the sustainability impact of various materials to make more sustainable procurement decisions.

Find Out More

Swire

Cathay Pacific: Plastic Reduction
Funded Pilot Opportunity: Cathay Pacific seeks solutions to ...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: Cathay Pacific seeks solutions to reduce volume of single-use plastic in-flight, especially plastic bags for headphones and blankets.

Find Out More

Swire

HAECO Cabin Solutions: Chiller System’s Water and Energy Efficiency
Funded Pilot Opportunity: HAECO Cabin Solutions seeks soluti...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: HAECO Cabin Solutions seeks solutions to reduce the energy and water consumption of its current water chiller system in its U.S. manufacturing facilities.

Find Out More

Swire

Swire Resources: Reducing Municipal Solid Waste
Funded Pilot Opportunity: Swire Resources is looking for sol...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: Swire Resources is looking for solutions to measure and reduce Municipal Solid Waste from its shops and warehouses.

Find Out More

Swire

Swire Properties: Cooling Tower Water Reuse
Swire Properties seeks solutions to reduce water use in fres...

Swire Properties seeks solutions to reduce water use in freshwater cooling tower through capturing water vapour from evaporation for reuse.

Find Out More

Swire

Swire Properties: Waste Digitization
Funded Pilot Opportunity: Swire Properties is looking for so...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: Swire Properties is looking for solutions to monitor waste generation and recycling performance for retail portfolio and facilitate higher recycling rates among commercial tenants.

Find Out More

Swire

Swire Properties: Heating Energy Reduction
Swire Properties seeks to reduce the overall carbon footprin...

Swire Properties seeks to reduce the overall carbon footprint and energy consumption associated with heating systems in retail buildings within Chinese Mainland.

Find Out More

Swire

HAECO Hong Kong: Improve the Efficiency of the Existing Chiller System
Funded Pilot Opportunity: HAECO Hong Kong seeks a solution t...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: HAECO Hong Kong seeks a solution to increase the capacity of its existing chiller system.

Find Out More

Swire

HAECO Hong Kong: Increase Recycling Value of Wooden Boxes
Funded Pilot Opportunity: HAECO Hong Kong seeks to recycle w...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: HAECO Hong Kong seeks to recycle wood waste from boxes used for shipments.

Find Out More

Swire

HAECO Hong Kong: Reduction in Water Scrubber Water Consumption
Funded Pilot Opportunity: HAECO Hong Kong seeks a solution t...

Funded Pilot Opportunity: HAECO Hong Kong seeks a solution to enhance the efficiency of water scrubbers or directly upgrade or replace them.

Find Out More

Innovate UK KTN

iX Challenge: Valorisation of Paper Industry Waste
DCLM (operated by Veolia) would like to find economically vi...

DCLM (operated by Veolia) would like to find economically viable ways to valorise waste produced from the pulp and paper industry. In their aim to be more sustainable and contribute to a circular economy strategy, DCLM is looking at reducing waste to landfill by seeking solutions utilising innovative methods to valorise dregs (mixture of black and green liquor) and effluent fibre that are produced in large quantities from the pulp and paper production processes.

Find Out More

Innovate UK KTN

iX Challenge: Solidification of Leachate Concentration
DCLM (operated by Veolia) would like to find more environmen...

DCLM (operated by Veolia) would like to find more environmentally friendly and economically viable ways to solidify the concentrate of their effluent treatment plant. They are seeking solutions utilising innovative solidification agents that can deal with large and increasing volumes of concentrate.

Find Out More

Formnext

Start-up Challenge
Jump start for start-ups: To provide a platform for young c...

Jump start for start-ups:
To provide a platform for young companies in the realm of established players and pave the way for creative AM ideas to enter the market, Formnext organizes the Start-up Challenge annually.

Find Out More

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

Incubation Program
The LACI Incubation program offers hands-on incubation servi...

The LACI Incubation program offers hands-on incubation services for Cleantech startups to grow in Los Angeles. The first four months of the program are dedicated to intensive curriculum workshops, one-on-one coaching sessions, and roundtables on go-to-market, investor readiness, and pilots. After the initial curriculum, the program is focused on achieving objectives outlined in a custom business roadmap of fundraising, product development, market access, team growth, pilot deployment, and partnerships.

Find Out More

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

Innovators Program
Innovators is a core LACI accelerator program serving early-...

Innovators is a core LACI accelerator program serving early-stage cleantech startups in Southern California. The one-year program is funded by the California Energy Commission’s Regional Energy Innovation Cluster (REIC) and aims to support early stage entrepreneurs launching their venture in California’s growing cleantech innovation ecosystem.

Find Out More

Elemental Excelerator

ClimateTech Funding Opportunity
Are you an entrepreneur looking to scale a transformative cl...

Are you an entrepreneur looking to scale a transformative climate technology? Are you invested in scaling a solution that brings both climate and social impact? Elemental are committed to bringing more funding, more projects, more solutions and more impact into the climate sector to deploy technologies in more communities in an equitable way.

 

Applications closed.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Biodegradable Injection Molding for Packaging Applications | Thorlabs
Thorlabs Canada currently uses cardboard trays as part of th...

Thorlabs Canada currently uses cardboard trays as part of their optical component packaging. Thorlabs Canada is seeking a replacement for the current system and is particularly interested in using ecofriendly (i.e., made from nature-based materials + biodegradable) materials in an injection molding system to generate the trays. Thorlabs Canada would purchase the trays from a supplier and pay for the specific tooling to be developed.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Environmentally Friendly Thermoset Coating | Thorlabs
Thorlabs Canada is seeking an eco-friendly material replacem...

Thorlabs Canada is seeking an eco-friendly material replacement for its’ fibre optic components. Currently a thermoset powder coating is used to coat the medical grade stainless steel capillary tube (see red tube in picture). The specific properties of this thermoset powder can be viewed in detail here.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Sustainable Solutions for Recycling or Upcycling Fiber Optic Cable | Telus
TELUS is committed to circular economy principles and respon...

TELUS is committed to circular economy principles and responsible resource use. As TELUS works to expand its PureFibre Network, fibre optic cables represent a growing waste stream that is currently going to landfill. As a result, TELUS is looking for sustainable solutions for recycling or upcycling fibre optic cables.

Find Out More

Global Cement and Concrete Association

Open Innovation Challenge Call
Start-ups are invited by Innovandi Open Challenge, an exciti...

Start-ups are invited by Innovandi Open Challenge, an exciting international partnership programme, run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) to work on the development of new materials and ingredients for low carbon concrete – a major step towards the ultimate goal of net zero concrete.

Applications open: 14 March 2023

Deadline: 30 May 2023

Find Out More

UN Climate Technology Centre and Network

Piloting and Deployment of Technologies in Local Conditions
Malawians’ livelihood and safety are at risk with a changing...

Malawians’ livelihood and safety are at risk with a changing climate. The UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is inviting its Network members to assist Malawi. Interested Network members are invited to submit a form, ‘Expression of Interest(EoI)’. For those who are interested, please visit the UNGM Portal (https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/199074) and click the blue button ‘Express Interest’ on your top right. All applicants should also be registered (free of charge) at United Nations Global Marketplace (www.ungm.org).

Applications closed.

Find Out More

Circular Innovation Fund

Acceleration Program
The Circular Innovation Fund Acceleration Program aims to nu...

The Circular Innovation Fund Acceleration Program aims to nurture selected pre-seed and seed-stage companies within the circular economy to bolster investment in an underserved sector, de-risk future CIF investments, and support the build-out of a broader collaborative ecosystem of circular companies at all stages of commercialization.

Applications closed.

Find Out More

Urban Future Lab

Urban Future Prize Competition
Read more

Urban Future Prize Competition seeks to award the world’s most revolutionary climatetech innovations by bringing the brightest entrepreneurs together to compete for two cash prizes of $50K. The Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon is excited to offer a Future Vision Prize and a Climate Finance Prize, through the generous support of the New York Community Trust, NYSERDA, and MUFG. Find out more.

Applications closed.

Find Out More

Innovate UK

Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme
If you are a UK-based SME, active in battery technologies fo...

If you are a UK-based SME, active in battery technologies for transport and energy storage, from anywhere within the battery supply chain (including materials and components, cells, modules and packs, recycling & enabling technologies) and are looking to raise investment, apply by 17:00 on 2nd May 2023 to be part of the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2023 co-led by Innovate UK KTN.

Find Out More

Suzano Ventures

Bio-Solutions Startup Program
Suzano wants to help develop the bio-economy along with grea...

Suzano wants to help develop the bio-economy along with great entrepreneurs with a structure of acceleration programs to leverage solutions that are in the laboratory phase or seeking commercial validation. The main target are deep tech startups with opportunity to create shared value, providing financial and strategic support to enterprises and, using Suzano’s wider network and resources, help to accelerate technologies to enable new bioproducts based on Suzano ́s eucalyptus forest as well increase digitalization and competitiveness of the forests.

This program offers unparalleled opportunities for emerging businesses to lead the way in biomass and sustainable packaging.

Pre-selections confirmed by 2 May.

Find Out More

bp Innovation

Commercial Opportunity with the bp Offshore Wind team
Bp have launched three separate campaigns searching for inno...

Bp have launched three separate campaigns searching for innovators in the offshore wind sector, seeking collaborators from individuals to large-scale organizations who have new and exciting ideas – at any level of maturity –  about how to implement on three campaign areas – circularity, system integration and ecology.

Applications closed.

Find Out More

Carbon to Value

Accelerator Program
C2V is now open for Cohort 3 , and they are seeking groundbr...

C2V is now open for Cohort 3 , and they are seeking groundbreaking carbontech start-ups between TRL 4 and TRL 7 that are developing differentiated and scalable solutions that capture carbon and/or incorporate captured carbon as a major input for valorization.

Applications closed.

Find Out More

The Liveability Challenge (TLC)

Climate Change & Food & Nutrition Challenges
Climate Change The Liveability Challenge i...

Climate Change
The Liveability Challenge is looking for disruptive innovations that can capture and utilise carbon to create scalable products for global markets, as well as solutions that can capture and store carbon at scale. TLC seek solutions that create value from the conservation or restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems in Southeast Asia.

Food & Nutrition
Aims to establish a circular urban agriculture or aquaculture system, or alternative protein system.  TLC are seeking innovative and breakthrough technological solutions to maximise production efficiency and minimise resource requirements.

Applications closed.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Manufacturing of lignin-based packaging materials | Paper Excellence
Paper Excellence is looking for alternative packaging materi...

Paper Excellence is looking for alternative packaging materials derived from lignin.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Dewatering biomass for combustion | Paper Excellence
Paper Excellence is seeking an economical way to dewater/dry...

Paper Excellence is seeking an economical way to dewater/dry the biomass prior to its combustion.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Renewable Power Generation | Bell Canada
Bell is seeking for technological solutions for renewable en...

Bell is seeking for technological solutions for renewable energy power generation, in order to reduce Bell’s carbon footprint.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Fuel Cells for Emergency Power Generation | Bell Canada
Bell is looking for strategies for deploying and integrating...

Bell is looking for strategies for deploying and integrating new technologies and combining reliability and efficiency in the area of Fuel cells.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Alternative Energy Storage | Bell Canada
Bell seeks innovation solutions and technologies in alternat...

Bell seeks innovation solutions and technologies in alternative energy storage with aim to reduce utility consumption during peak hours.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Waste Heat Recovery | Bell Canada
Bell seeks adapted technological solutions in waste heat rec...

Bell seeks adapted technological solutions in waste heat recovery.  Challenge: where electricity is produced from waste heat, how to use the electricity produced to power telecom / IT equipment or other building loads.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Energy Monitoring and Management Solutions | Bell Canada
Bell seeks adapted technological solutions Energy monitoring...

Bell seeks adapted technological solutions Energy monitoring and management solutions, to improve energy management in its facilities.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Cosia Challenge on Solvent and Non-Solvent Additives Measurement
COSIA’s members are seeking a ‘plug and play’ inline multiph...

COSIA’s members are seeking a ‘plug and play’ inline multiphase measurement technology suitable for detecting solvent and other additives in produced bitumen-water emulsion. Industry is seeking a solution to well measurement that is cost effective and reliable, with reasonable accuracy and fit for solvent recovery processes surveillance.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Syngas solutions from wet bark and wood waste feedstock | Paper Excellence
Paper Excellence is seeking for a syngas with an energy dens...

Paper Excellence is seeking for a syngas with an energy density that is similar to natural gas derived from available hog fuel.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

DC+ Energy Storage Solutions | Bell Canada
Bell is seeking for technological solutions for renewable en...

Bell is seeking for technological solutions for renewable energy power generation, in order to reduce Bell’s carbon footprint.

Find Out More

LCBA Canada

Fuel Cells for Emergency Power Generation | Bell Canada
Bell is looking for strategies for deploying and integrating...

Bell is looking for strategies for deploying and integrating new technologies and combining reliability and efficiency in the area of Fuel cells.

Find Out More

Urban Future Lab

Offshore Wind Innovation Hub Accelerator program
Startups addressing key challenges to US ...

Startups addressing key challenges to US offshore wind development.

Applications closed.

Find Out More

Innovate UK

Better Food for All: Innovation For Improved Nutrition
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £...

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £20m across three strands, for the development of innovative solutions to address significant nutrition challenges. Your project must have the potential to impact the nutritional quality of food and drink products consumed by the UK population:

  • Enhancing food quality
  • Stratified nutrition
  • Fortified and biofortified foods
  • Plant-based and alternative proteins
  • Preservation, packaging and storage technologies

Applications closed.

Find Out More

PUB

PUB Global Innovation Challenge
Singapore’s National Water Agency is scaling digital and sma...

Singapore’s National Water Agency is scaling digital and smart solutions by providing funding, resources, and pilot opportunities with the utility.

Find Out More

Diageo Sustainable Solutions

Pilot Program
Pilot program for start-ups in water, waste, agriculture and...

Pilot program for start-ups in water, waste, agriculture and food which can green Diageo’s business and wider.

Current open program in agriculture to build resilience in Diageo’s smallholder farmer communities.

Find Out More

Kraft Heinz

Unleash the Power of Tomatoes from Seed to Shelf
Kraft Heinz are searching for innovative ...

Kraft Heinz are searching for innovative solutions from start-ups to unleash the power of tomatoes, delivering on taste, sustainability, nutrition, convenience and/or affordability.

Applications closed.

Find Out More

Fashion for Good

Fashion Accelerator Program
Accelerator program for innovators within the fashion supply...

Accelerator program for innovators within the fashion supply chain. No equity 9-month accelerator programme.

Applications closed.

Find Out More

Get our Guides to Successful Innovation and Put Your Company Ahead of the Rest

Fast Guide to Successful Innovation Part One: How to Smash the Innovation Challenge Application

How much information should you share? What's essential? Optional? Part One of our Fast Guide to Successful Innovation zeroes in on what you need to do to connect with the decision makers in all the right ways.

Get the Guide

Fast Guide to Successful Innovation Part Two: Pitching a Cleantech Company - Your Checklist for Success

Selling your idea or product to new audience can be as daunting as it is exciting. Our checklist takes you through a plan for getting the the best possible outcome.

Get the Guide

Fast Guide to Successful Innovation Part Three: How to Get the Most from your Corporate Cleantech Partner

Understanding your potential new partner's requirements, and even their language, will help you benefit from the process, manage your feedback and respond with useful information.

Get the Guide

Insights to Support Your Progress

09/26/2023

Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal: Integrity at a Cheaper Price?

The voluntary carbon market (VCM), where large corporates are paying for offsets to reduce their net-emissions to reach net-zero carbon goal...

By Holly Stower

About Cleantech Group

At Cleantech Group, we provide research, consulting and events to catalyze opportunities for sustainable growth powered by innovation. We bring clients access to the trends, companies and people shaping the future and the customized advice and support businesses need to engage external innovation.

Industries are undergoing definitive transitions toward a more digitized, de-carbonized and resource-efficient industrial future. At every stage from initial strategy to final deals, our services bring corporate change makers, investors, governments and stakeholders from across the ecosystem, the support they need to thrive in this fast-arriving and uncertain future.

The company was established in 2002 and is headquartered in San Francisco with with offices in Asia, Europe and North America.

Get To Know Us