€1 million for green start-ups that contribute to a better world!

From 1 March, green start-ups from the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Norway and Sweden can once again secure a place in the final of the Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge. This international sustainability competition has grown to become one of the largest of its kind in the world. There is a total of €1 million in combined prize money for the five best start-ups, of which €500,000 plus coaching, is awarded to the winner. With this international competition, the Postcode Lotteries help start-ups market their innovations for a more sustainable world. Entries can be registered until 1 April 2020 12:00 CEST (noon) at greenchallenge.info

After 1 April a preliminary jury makes a first selection from these entries. The start-ups selected will be informed in mid-April that they can flesh out their plans and continue to compete for a place in the final. The preliminary jury will announce the 25 nominees at the end of June. In early September, a shortlist of five entries will be made public and go on to the final on 30 September 2020 in Amsterdam. There, the start-ups will pitch their ideas to an international jury. In the final, the jury will decide who wins the first prize of €500,000 and which start-up will be runner-up, winning €200,000. The other three finalists will receive €100,000 each. In addition to the prize money, all finalists will also receive six months of expert coaching to optimise their business opportunities.

Last year, the Swedish start-up Swedish Algae Factory won first prize. It grows a special type of algae that is used to make solar panels more efficient and can also be used as a natural ingredient for care products.

Runner-up was the German start-up nuventura, which empowers a safer and more efficient energy grid free from SF6 – the most potent greenhouse gas in existence. Fabian Lemke Co-Founder and Managing Director of nuventura about the Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge:  “You gain an unbelievable amount of experience in the process. When it comes to competitions, the Green Challenge is like being part of a Champions League.”

Registration for the Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge: www.greenchallenge.info