Entrepreneurship Competition
If you have an idea for a venture that supports sustainability, this is the program for you. If you are looking for partners with specialised knowledge that complements yours, we can make the connection. We connect each accepted venture with mentors, both business as well as technical experts, using our network; you will have the opportunity to meet with them every 2 weeks for guidance. More details follow for accepted applicants.
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At the end of the program in October 2026, there is a final presentation that each team makes to an experienced panel of judges, for a pool of £30,000 in prize money as well as investment from Venture Capital funds present in the judging panel.
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Applications open on the 5th of January 2026.
Competition Streams
Energy Production
Energy production is being transformed by advances in renewables and clean generation. Wind turbines are taller and more efficient, tidal and hydro systems are harnessing predictable flows, solar panels achieve record-breaking efficiencies, and geothermal projects are scaling globally.
Nuclear fission is being modernized with small modular reactors, while fusion has achieved net energy gains in lab settings. Bio-digesters, meanwhile, convert organic waste into usable power, closing loops in energy and waste.
Intermediate Energy / Storage
Storage is critical to stabilizing renewable power systems. Lithium-ion batteries are evolving into longer-lasting solid-state designs, while sodium-ion offers low-cost alternatives. Hydrogen is gaining traction as a clean carrier, with innovations in electrolyzers and storage tanks improving efficiency. Heat batteries, storing energy in molten salts or advanced phase-change materials, are providing scalable, long-duration options. These technologies ensure renewable energy can be dispatched on demand, bridging the gap between generation and consumption.
Recycling
Recycling is rapidly shifting from linear to circular approaches, turning waste into resources. Innovations include chemical recycling of plastics back to monomers, AI-driven sorting for higher recovery rates, and bioenzymes that degrade PET efficiently. Battery recycling technologies are recovering lithium, cobalt, and nickel at industrial scale, while cement and steel recycling are lowering industrial emissions. Such advances help reduce landfill, conserve resources, and support a regenerative economy that minimizes environmental impact.
Transport
Transport is decarbonising through electrification, efficiency, and alternative fuels. Electric vehicles now benefit from fast-charging solid-state batteries, while hydrogen fuel cell buses and trucks expand in fleets. Aviation is exploring sustainable biofuels and electric short-haul flights, while shipping transitions to ammonia and methanol propulsion. Smart mobility platforms and autonomous electric shuttles improve urban efficiency. Together, these innovations are reshaping transport systems into cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable networks for goods and passengers.
Construction
Construction is reimagining its carbon footprint through materials and methods. Innovations include low-carbon cement made with recycled fly ash and carbon capture curing, 3D printing of buildings with sustainable composites, and prefabrication techniques reducing waste. Timber construction is resurgent with cross-laminated timber enabling tall wooden buildings. Smart insulation and integrated solar façades lower lifetime energy demand. These advances create sustainable infrastructure while maintaining durability, cost efficiency, and architectural creativity in the built environment.
Industrial Process Decarbonisation
​Industry contributes heavily to global emissions, but breakthroughs are emerging. Steelmakers are piloting hydrogen-based direct reduction, eliminating coal. Cement plants are trialing carbon capture at scale, while electrification of kilns and furnaces is advancing. Low-carbon chemicals are being synthesized with renewable electricity, and AI-driven process optimization is reducing waste and energy demand. These innovations signal a shift toward cleaner, more efficient manufacturing systems, ensuring heavy industry can thrive in a net-zero economy.
Climate Adaption
Climate adaptation requires technologies that help societies withstand and reduce climate impacts. Heat pumps are at the forefront, delivering efficient heating and cooling using ambient air, ground, or water. Recent innovations include high-temperature heat pumps for industrial use, hybrid systems combining with boilers, and natural refrigerants with lower global warming potential. These solutions drastically cut energy use, decarbonize heating—a major emissions source—and provide resilience in a warming world where energy efficiency is vital.
