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 2022.
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Competition Guidelines
The competition takes place over three different stages between March and May each year. Submit your proposals before March 30th 2022.
Stage 1
All you need is an innovative Cleantech idea. Submit a 200 word pitch by March 30th 2022 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 April 30th 2022. The deck will be reviewed by prospective investors. This year we also have a unique opportunity of fast track direct entry into stage 2. To apply see attached form.
Stage 3
Finalists will undergo training from industry experts from the environmental, entrepreneurial and science sectors over the course of May. Bootcamp finals take place between 31st May - 3rd June 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.

>500 Entries
We judge hundreds of applications every year
£10,000 Prize Fund
Access to world class clean tech venture capitalists
Investor Network
Get mentoring from the best clean tech entrepreneurs
Past winners
Congratulations to our most recent winners



