Clean Tech Challenge 2021

Changing the world
for better

Rewarding the next student led innovative clean technology ideas

The competition

The CleanTech Challenge is a global business plan competition for students with innovative clean technology ideas, jointly hosted by the London Business School and University College London. It began in 2011 and has been run successfully for the past 10 years. Winners of the international chapters compete as finalists in the UK competition.

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.

Who can enter

The Challenge is open to all current university students (undergraduate and postgraduate) enrolled in a degree programme at a recognised Higher Education Institution anywhere in the world as of 1 January 2021.

Our Partners

Competition Guidelines

The competition takes place over three different stages between February and June each year. Submit your proposals before February 6th.

Stage 1

All you need is an innovative Cleantech idea. Submit a 200 word pitch by February 6th clearly outlining (i) the idea, (ii) cleantech impact, and (iii) why it would be commercially viable.

Stage 2

Selected entries are asked to develop their idea and present a pitch deck by March 7th. The deck will be reviewed by prospective investors.

Stage 3

Finalists will undergo training from industry experts from the environmental, entrepreneurial and science sectors over the course of April. Bootcamp finals take place between June 1-7th where finalists present a 10 minute pitch.

Our Story

Rewarding innovation

Students compete in cross-functional teams combining technical and business skills. Startup ideas are expected to be at the concept phase at which point they would likely only attract pre-seed funding.