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.