ClimateLaunchpad , the world's largest green business ideas competition by Climate KIC , has opened applications for its 2026 edition. Since 2014, the programme has supported nearly 5,000 ideas across 97 countries. This year, it is expanding its presence in Asia with Singapore hosting both the regional final and Global Grand Final for the first time. The competition is therefore partnering with regional partners Better Earth Ventures and TPC Group.
“Strengthening
ClimateLaunchpad’s presence in Asia marks a profound new chapter for this
programme and for the climate innovation movement more broadly. Asia is where
so much of the world’s climate and nature future will be shaped, through
business leadership, public-private partnerships and long term strategic
thinking. We look forward to supporting this momentum with new business ideas
and innovation ecosystem collaborations across more than a dozen countries.
This expansion opens space for deeper cross-cultural connections and for
first-time founders to turn sparks of imagination into solutions that serve
both people and planet.”
- Kirsten
Dunlop, CEO of Climate KIC.
What is
ClimateLaunchpad and how to join?
Since
its launch in 2014, ClimateLaunchpad has become the most accessible pipeline
for green innovation.
The
curriculum is designed to turn ideas on the back of a napkin into battle-proof
businesses. Participants move through several stages:
1.
An initial mini-course to refine the
concept.
2.
An intensive multi-day Boot Camp led by
expert trainers.
3.
Targeted coaching to perfect value
propositions and investor pitches.
4.
National and regional finals, where teams
pitch to expert juries and gain wider visibility.
5.
A place at the Global Grand Final, with
prizes and access to a global climate network.
In
2025, the programme received over 2,700 applications from 40 countries. The
winning ventures gain prize money, investor connections, and access to a global
cleantech network.
Applications are now
open for the 2026 edition of ClimateLaunchpad . Climate
innovators, green venture builders, and entrepreneurs from around the world can
apply here .
Partnering with regional
players
This
year, Climate KIC is partnering with Better Earth Ventures to
host both ClimateLaunchpad Singapore and the Global Grand Final. Better Earth
Ventures is a Singapore-based climate innovation platform supporting
early-stage founders across Asia-Pacific. As the local delivery partner, they
bring deep ecosystem relationships and hands-on experience running climate and
agrifood innovation programmes, with a focus on turning promising ideas into
scalable ventures. Their work is grounded in the belief that global change
starts with local action, and that supporting entrepreneurs on the ground is
key to building a resilient green economy.
“We are proud to
host ClimateLaunchpad’s Regional and Global Grand Final in Singapore and to
convene an international group of climate entrepreneurs from more than 50
countries. Climate solutions are emerging from every corner of the world, and
bringing them together creates the kind of cross-border exchange and
collaboration this moment demands. Our focus is to ensure early-stage founders
have the structure, ecosystem access and support needed to move from idea to
credible impact.”
- Rebecca Sharpe, Founder and CEO Better Earth Ventures
At
the same time, the competition is entering a new chapter with Singapore-based
TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) bringing a perspective rooted in interconnectedness. TPC is
a fourth-generation family business ecosystem committed to advancing the
well-being economy, with activities spanning global logistics, impact
investment, education, and philanthropy.
This
perspective recognises that climate, economy, culture and community do not
operate separately. Addressing the climate crisis requires understanding how
these systems overlap and designing solutions that reflect that reality.
This
systems perspective also informs the work of NO.17 Foundation, part of the TPC
ecosystem, which focuses on aligning capital, collaboration, and execution so
that climate innovation can move from promising ideas to scalable systems
change.
“Climate innovation
is ultimately a human endeavour before it is a technological one. The most
powerful solutions often emerge from people closest to the realities of climate
change. Platforms like ClimateLaunchpad help connect these founders with the
networks, capital, and collaboration needed to turn local insight into
solutions that can scale globally.”
-
Luis Alvarado Martinez, CEO of No. 17 Foundation
The partner network
ClimateLaunchpad
is supported by long-term partners like Bank of America and Irish Aid. Support
from Bank of America strengthens the ecosystem from the earliest stages, giving
visibility to solutions that can deliver real-world impact and reshape our
economy. Meanwhile, Irish Aid empowers entrepreneurs in emerging markets,
ensuring those on the front lines of climate change have the tools to build
their own local solutions.
Application open: Climate
innovators, green venture builders, and entrepreneurs from around the world can
apply here .
About Climate KIC
Climate
KIC is Europe’s leading climate innovation agency and community, creating
climate-resilient communities and fighting climate breakdown by mobilising
systems change in countries, regions, cities, and businesses. Together with
partners across the globe, Climate KIC orchestrates solutions and facilitates
learning to bridge the gap between climate commitments and current reality,
driving faster and more ambitious action.
About Better Earth
Ventures
Better
Earth Ventures is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of
transformative technologies and initiatives that mitigate climate change and
promote sustainable living. Located in Singapore, we serve as a pivotal gateway
to Asia-Pacific, with a strong regional network of commercial partners,
investors and mentors to help growth-stage businesses scale sustainably across
borders. Through collaboration, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, we
empower visionary entrepreneurs to drive tangible impact and pave the way for a
resilient and thriving planet.
About TPC (Tsao Pao
Chee)
TPC
(Tsao Pao Chee) is a fourth-generation family business holding company
headquartered in Singapore that is committed to empowering the well-being and
happiness economy. TPC does this by supporting global connectivity and
resilience through its supply chain and logistics activities, and
well-being-focused activities aimed at fostering individual and collective growth.
TPC’s
purpose-led well-being business ecosystem comprises IMC Industrial, OCTAVE, and
multiple non-profit organisations, including OCTAVE Institute, NO.17 Foundation
and Restore Nature Foundation, operating in unity to add value to life, with
corporate offices in the People’s Republic of China, Thailand, Indonesia, and
Japan. Find out more about TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) at tsaopaochee.com and on
LinkedIn.
About NO.17
Foundation
NO.17
Foundation is the nexus of capital, consciousness, and collaboration in the
Well-being Era – the philanthropic heart of TPC (Tsao Pao Chee). Rooted in SDG
17: Partnerships for the Goals, NO.17 unites values-aligned funders, partners,
and changemakers to catalyse systemic transformation. Through trust-based
giving, regenerative coalitions, and strategic ecosystem building, we activate
new forms of capital – financial, social, cultural, spiritual, institutional,
ecological, and human – as a force for collective flourishing. Explore our
movement to make philanthropy as a field of love for transformation at https://17foundation.org and on
LinkedIn.
About Bank of
America
Bank
of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving
individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations
with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial
and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched
convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and
small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers,
approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital
banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America
is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and
trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations,
governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America
offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business
households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and
services. The company serves clients through operations across the United
States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation
stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).
About Irish Aid
Irish
Aid is the Government of Ireland’s international development cooperation
programme. It works in more than 80 countries to reduce poverty, hunger and
humanitarian need, often focusing on climate action, gender equality and
strengthening governance. gov.ie
As part of Ireland’s foreign policy, Irish Aid supports inclusive development, helps communities adapt to climate change, and backs early-stage innovation in underserved regions. Its approach emphasises giving a voice, platform and opportunity to entrepreneurs worldwide — especially in regions hardest hit by climate risks.
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