CleanTech Challenge 2025
Rewarding the next student led innovative clean technology ideas
Applications for the 2025 CleanTech Challenge are now OPEN
The competition
The CleanTech Challenge is a global business plan competition for students with innovative clean technology ideas. Hosted by London Business School in conjunction with University College London, the challenge is powered by our sponsor, Gore Street Capital. Since 2011, the CTC has been run successfully for the past 13 years and brings in applications from students in more than 25 countries annually.
The objective
Great Cleantech technologies emerging from research often flounder through lack of good commercial input early on. Meanwhile, management schools have many entrepreneurial students who are worried about the environment but who lack impactful ideas to work on. To bridge this gap, the interdisciplinary competition was created, to promote CleanTech thoughts in today’s educational institutions.
Who can enter
The Challenge is open to all current university students (undergraduate, postgraduate and phd) enrolled in a degree programme at a recognised Higher Education Institution anywhere in the world as of 1 January 2025.
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Competition Guidelines
The CleanTech Challenge takes place over 3 stages between November and April each year. Our application form is live now. Our Finals will take place over April 16-17th 2025, at London Business School.
Stage 1
All you need is an innovative Cleantech idea. Fill out our application form and answer a few questions about your idea and team by January 17th 2025!
Stage 2
Invited Stage 2 entries will submit an investor-style pitch deck in PDF format, highlighting your Cleantech idea, business potential, and team details. Deadline: February 16th, 2025.
Finals
Finalist teams will gather in person at London Business School on April 16-17th 2025 to tackle a Challenge Question, work with mentors, and present their solutions to a panel of judges. The event will conclude with final presentations, judging, and a networking reception.
> 500 entries
We judge hundreds of applications every year!
£20,000 prize
Access to world class clean tech venture capitalists!
Investor Network
Get mentoring from the best clean tech entrepreneurs.
Will you create the next clean technology idea?
Congratulations to some of our most recent winners
TUULI is a software to help measure, reduce and monitor the embodied and operational carbon emissions of your assets. They are now collaborating with some of Canada’s largest real estate developers and REITs, driving tangible change in the industry.
2024 winners
A&B SMART MATERIALS is a service provider that tackles the issue of lost energy and revenue generation due to overheating solar panels.
2023 winners
WASTEQ is an AI-powered demand forecaster of food perishables in shops that reduces both food shortages and food waste. In turn this helps shops increase profit.
2021 winners
SYNTHESEA is a biological platform producing sustainable low cost omega-3 for aquaculture.
2020 winners
PHABIO is a provider of bio-based polymers to replace conventional plastics like HDPE/PP.
2019 winners
BIOKIND Protein of the future: sustainable protein feed for aquaculture, livestock and pets
2018 winners