Climatech Run Competition

climatech run competition

ClimaTech Run Competition is the global competition for tech-entrepreneurs and artists addressing the most pressing climate challenges on the road to COP 27.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurs are hammering out innovations in every corner of the world, and many projects show great promise in combating climate change. Sensor technology can measure invisible pollutants that harm our health, and the rise of technologies such as the Internet-of-Things (IoT) provides advances in data collection for monitoring climate change mitigation.

Benefits of Climatech Run Competition:

  • ClimaTech Run’s tech-startup track provides global startups with the opportunity to pitch during COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and participate in capacity building, incubation, and acceleration programs.
  • Also, there will be 10 shortlisted candidates, a special grand prize of USD 100,000 and a top African startup prize of USD 50,000.

Thematic Areas

The ClimaTech Run Competition focuses on the use of ICT in developing innovative solutions and new applications for climate action, notably in the following thematic areas:

  • Energy
  • Food security and agriculture
  • Water management
  • Industry 4.0 for climate action
  • Urban sustainability, Mobility and transportation
  • Other climate resilience applications

Eligibility Criteria for the Climatech Run Competition

Participants must see the following criteria to participate in the competition

  • Registered startup operating for over 2 years or a proven track record
  • Also, must a team of at least 2 members, with member’s average age below 40
  • Sustainably driven and innovative business-supported by one or more emerging technologies
  • Not a spin-off or subsidiary of an existing company
  • Has a functional prototype or MVP (minimum viable product)
  • Lastly, team must have good communication skills and can present their startup in English.

Awards

Prizes for this track are:

  • Grand prize of USD 100,000
  • 2nd prize of USD 50,000
  • 3rd prize of USD 25,000

CLIMATECH SUPPORTS TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS:

  • The use of AI in climate forecasting, e-agriculture, and satellite imagery analysis
  • IoT and sensor-based applications (weather, soil, and water big data information processing)
  • Smart cities applications lead to low carbon footprint and climate adapting economies
  • Electric vehicles technologies
  • E-waste management and recycling
  • Industry 4.0 applications (consumption and waste optimization, quality enhancement)
  • ICT applications in green and renewable energy
  • Clean Water Technologies

Special focus on Africa

As African countries face significant risk for a warmer, drier future, innovators and tech startups worldwide can use cutting-edge digital technologies to aid in climate mitigation and adaptation. However, the market for climate tech in Africa is still vastly underserved.
Climate-focused African tech startups lag significantly in investment inflow, receiving only 0.2 per cent of venture dollars compared to 94 per cent for the United States, Canada, China, and Europe.

In addition, a special prize will be given to the top 2 African startups. The criteria for selection of African startups are the same as the worldwide track but adding that the founders must have a nationality from an African country. The top 5 African startups will be invited to pitch their idea during the global pitch event.

  • Top African Startup: USD 50,000
  • 2nd prize for African Startup: USD 25,000
  • Access to tailored support programs from ClimaTech Run Partners

Application Deadline: September 22, 2022

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Frequently Asked Questions for The Climatech Run Competition

WHAT IS CLIMATECH RUN COMPETITION?

The ClimaTech Run competition is a global call for all tech startups and digital artists who are using technology as the core of their work to address climate change challenges. The competition features thematic fields in each track, such as:

Tech Startup Track:

  • Energy,
  • Food security and agriculture,
  • Water management,
  • Industry 4.0 for climate action,
  • Urban sustainability,
  • Mobility and transportation,
  • Other climate resilience applications.

ClimaTech, therefore, aims to support technologies such as:

  • Use of AI in climate forecasting, e-agriculture, satellite imagery analysis;
  • IoT and sensor-based applications (weather, soil, and water big data information processing);
  • Smart cities applications lead to low carbon footprint and climate adapting economies;
  • Electric vehicles technologies;
  • E-waste management and recycling;
  • Industry 4.0 applications (consumption and waste optimization, quality enhancement);
  • ICT applications in green and renewable energy;
  • Clean Water Technologies.

There is also a particular focus on African Tech Startups. A special prize is offered to the top 2 African startups. The top 5 African startups will be invited to pitch their idea during the global pitch event. The criteria for selection of African startups are the same as the worldwide track but adding that the founders must have a nationality from an African country.

Digital Artists Track: The Digital Art track comprehensively allows all digital art and media expression on forms, except poetry and writing formats:

  • Digital paintings and drawings
  • 3D modelling
  • vector art
  • animation videos
  • matte paintings and photo manipulation
  • pixel art
  • digital collage and photography
  • The use of new media technologies for art

In this track, there is also a complementary prize for African Digital Artists.

WHAT ARE THE TRACKS OF CLIMATECH RUN?

There are two tracks:

1. ICT for Climate Action 

Global tech startups, this track is for you. We’re looking for innovative solutions for a sustainable environment in energy, agriculture, water management, urban sustainability, and transportation.

African countries are more prone to the adverse effects of climate change. In light of this, we have dedicated an Africa-focused prize for African tech entrepreneurs to recognize their efforts in their own right.

A panel of expert judges will select winners.

2. DigitalArt4Climate

We are calling all artists and visual storytellers who respond and express the link between us and climate action!

This track aims to showcase how technology is pivotal in building a connection with the earth.

This track is co-designed with and implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) and the International Association for the Advancement of Innovative Approaches to Global Challenges (IAAI Glotcha).

Also, it highlights African digital art for the climate Action.

More so, if you are an artist looking to spread awareness about climate action and the importance of putting women and young people at the forefront, apply to the DigitalArt4Climate track!

All digital art and media expression forms are welcomed. Submissions can range from digital paintings and drawings to 3D modelling, vector art, animation videos, matte paintings and photo manipulation, pixel art, digital collage and photography, and children’s art.

The use of new media technologies for art is also encouraged. Finalists will be short-listed by expert judges, with winners determined by public voting.

WHO SHOULD APPLY TO CLIMATECH COMPETITION?

All Tech Startups will have to meet the following application criteria will be eligible to participate in the competition:

  • At least a team of two members, with an average age under 40.
  • The startup must be registered and operating for at least two years.
  • The startup must not be a spin-off or subsidiary of an existing company.
  • A scalable business model with high growth potential.
  • The concept must be environmentally sustainable and involve at least one emerging technology.
  • Functional prototype or minimum viable product.
  • The team must have good communication skills and be able to present in English.
  • Diversity and gender balance among the team is a plus.
  • In case of winning, applicants must be able to provide valid contact details and sufficient bank information or tax forms to receive the monetary award.

To join the Digital Art track, artists must:

  • Artist must be of age 18+ at the time of applying to the competition
  • Artist can only present a maximum of 3 pieces per entry
  • The work submitted must be authentic and original
  • In case of winning, applicant must be able to provide valid contact details and sufficient bank information and/or tax forms to receive the monetary award.

WHO ORGANIZES CLIMATECH RUN?

The organizers are the following:

  • Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation
  • Egyptian Ministry of Environment
  • Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology

HOW TO APPLY TO CLIMATECH RUN AS A TECH STARTUP?

Press the “Apply” button on the platform, and you will be directed to a few questions verifying your eligibility. Once verified, you must create a profile to start filling in the application.

The application has seven main sections:

  1. Basic Startup information
  2. Team and Employees
  3. Business model information
  4. Industry-specific information
  5. Product and technology
  6. Investment and financials
  7. Environmental Impact

HOW TO APPLY TO CLIMATECH RUN AS A DIGITAL ARTIST?

Press the “Apply” button on the platform, and you will be directed to a few questions verifying your eligibility. Once verified, you must create a profile to start filling in the application.

Each artist is limited to submitting 3 art pieces attached to their application.

CAN I CHANGE MY APPLICATION AFTER SUBMISSION?

Save your application and return to amend it any time before submitting it. After submission, you no longer can access the application or make any changes to it.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR TECH STARTUPS?

For Tech Startups: To reach the ten pitching startups at COP27, all applicants will undergo a three-level evaluation process.

1st level evaluation:
Below are the criteria the applicants would be assessed and given a score based on their answers:

  1. Innovation: The solution should be innovative and has a profound and novel technological aspect.
  2. Team & Skills: The startup should maintain diversity and gender balance; they will be assessed based on HR and founders’ profiles.
  3. Feasibility: The startup will be assessed on its business model, value proposition, competitiveness and scalability.
  4. Clarity: The ideas should be presented and approached straightforwardly.
  5. Impact: The solution should have a socio-economic and environmental impact.
  6. Investment: The startup should have a precise business and financial plan with indicative sources of funds and critical investment risks and trajectories.

The 1st level filtration will feature at least two judges for each applicant. Average application score will show after calculating judges’ scores.

2nd level evaluation
The top 50 scoring applicants will be qualified for the next level of judging. During this stage, a technical committee of a panel of three judges covering technology, business and sustainability will assess the applications. The committee may contact the startups for more detailed information if needed.

Based on the results of the two rounds, the finalists will be invited to the pitching event, where high-level international judges will conduct the third and final round of selection at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR DIGITAL ARTISTS?

For Digital Artists Startups: To reach the three finalists who will make it to COP27, all applicants undergo a two-level process.

1st level evaluation:
Art judges evaluate all art pieces to qualify the ones who will make it to the next phase.

2nd level evaluation:
All the qualified art pieces by judges will be open for public voting from September 25 to October 5

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM QUALIFIED FOR THE NEXT COMPETITION STAGE?

You can always track your application by checking the status of your application on the platform.

Also, keep an eye on your email. We will be sending you updates about your application status.

WHEN SHALL I KNOW IF I WILL JOIN THE EVENT AT COP27?

We will notify successful applicants after October 5.

WHAT ARE CLIMATECH RUN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR TECH STARTUPS?

  • A team that consists of at least two members, with members’ average age under 40 years old.
  • The startup must be registered and operating for at least 2 years
  • The startup must not be a spin-off or subsidiary of an existing company.
  • A scalable business model with high growth potential.
  • The concept must be environmentally sustainable and involve at least one emerging technology.
  • Functional prototype or minimum viable product.
  • The team must have good communication skills and be able to present in English.
  • Diversity and gender balance among the team is a plus.
  • In case of winning, applicants must be able to provide valid contact details and sufficient bank information or tax forms to receive the monetary award.

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR DIGITAL ARTISTS?

  • Artist must be of age 18+ at the time of applying to the competition
  • Artist can only present a maximum of 3 pieces per entry
  • The work submitted must be authentic and original
  • In case of winning, applicant must be able to provide valid contact details and sufficient bank information or tax forms to receive the monetary award.

PRIZES FOR DIGITAL ARTISTS

Grand Prize: $5,000
2nd place: $3,000
3rd place: $2,000

It also highlights African digital art for the climate Action.

For More Information:

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