How Ukrainian startups are preparing for the international contest ClimateLaunchpad

Six years in a row, Ukraine has become the springboard for climate startups to enter the world’s largest competition of green business ideas ClimateLaunchpad!  Thanks to Greencubator, since 2016, Ukrainian teams have been undergoing a crash test of their projects, finding investors and partners and contributing to the global fight against climate change.
This year’s competition brought together 56 countries from all over the world. This year is also significant for Ukraine because, for the first time, we are hosting and organizing the Regional Final, which is the entrance ticket to the Global Final.
To get to the main stage of the ClimateLaunchpad final, the teams will go through several preparation stages. The first is a bootcamp, which will take place online on July 15-17. Three days of intensive training under the guidance of an experienced mentor. This year, 13 teams will participate in the national Bootcamp. Their ideas cover such areas as:
  • urban solutions —  garbage recycling and organic products, energy-efficient construction;
  • clean energy — hydrogen production and a new type of high-efficiency solar stations;
  • adaptation and resilience — building blocks for sustainable construction and biological protection of plants without pesticides;
  • circular economy — cloud services for organic farming, toy sharing, use of waste as a resource for launching new projects and own technologies for biofertilizers;
  • sustainable mobility — a technology to reduce harmful emissions from internal combustion engines.
In the Bootcamp, teams learn to evaluate their idea as a real business to refine the business model and possibly change their idea by refocusing on other consumers or markets.
National Bootcamp takes place in all countries participating in the ClimateLaunchpad, and the training is based on a single program, which includes:
  • financial planning of the project for a given period;
  • definition of target audiences and markets;
  • assessment of climatic advantages of your product;
  • build business models;
  • pitching and how to find connections with investors.
The bright and energetic Ron Bloemers, one of the founders of ClimateLaunchpad, remains the constant mentor of the Bootcamp. For over 20 years, Ron has been working to build a global cleantech industry. He trains other coaches, startups, companies, corporations, and governments. In addition to ClimateLaunchpad and coaching, Ron is the founder of Start-U-up, a startup business accelerator.
After intensive training in the Bootcamp, the teams will have a series of training sessions and then pitching their ideas at the National Final. The three winners will go to the Regional Final to compete for the right to present themselves in the Global Grand Final to receive a financial award and a place in the Climate-KIC acceleration program (competition organizer).
Participation in the Global Grand Final is not only a cash prize but also an entrance ticket to the global green community. You can meet a future investor, business partner or even find the first clients between pitching and rewards.