Do you have a cleantech idea that needs nurturing? Australian innovators seeking to launch their green business will find profile, mentoring and investment opportunities with Climate KIC Australia’s ClimateLaunchpad. The competition searches the country for the most promising cleantech solutions, connecting Australia’s brightest minds with an established business network to accelerate innovation and combat climate change on a national scale.

Successful candidates attend two-day bootcamp programs in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in late August where they receive hands-on training to develop their ideas into impactful business. National winners attend the European ClimateLaunchpad Finals in mid October 2017 in Cyprus, and gain preferential access to Climate KIC Australia’s Accelerator Program in March 2018.

The Climate Launchpad is an annual technology competition run by Climate KIC Europe across more than 30 countries to recognise technology solutions to climate mitigation and adaptation challenges. Climate-KIC Australia, which launched earlier this year as a public-private innovation partnership, is pleased to bring the fourth edition of this competition to Australia as part of their ongoing delivery of programs for green innovation.

“Addressing climate change is the most pressing obligation our nation faces today,” says Christopher Lee, CEO of Climate KIC Australia, “It is the bright young minds of Australia who have the potential to solve these very real global issues, they just need the opportunity and the support to get started. The ClimateLaunchpad is about seeking out these innovative individuals and giving them the means to turn their business ideas into mobilised climate action.”

Frans Nauta, Founder ClimateLaunchpad says, “We have to fix climate change and we have one generation to fix it. All over the world there are so many great entrepreneurs working on ideas to tackle climate change. ClimateLaunchpad boosts those entrepreneurs to global success through training and giving them an international stage.”

The competition is open to any Australian resident with an innovative green idea, whether it’s fully fledged or sketched on the back of a coaster. Climate-KIC Australia will provide travel scholarships for those selected to attend bootcamps outside of host cities. Applications are now open and submissions close August 10^th Midnight, AEST, 2017.

To apply visit the Australian page for Climate Launchpad. For more information about Australian programs, visit the Climate KIC Australia website.