From March 1, 2021 to April 30, the seventh edition of global green business ideas competition Climate Launchpad is open for applications in Ghana.

The programme, supported by EIT Climate-KIC and TU Delft, and run locally by the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, helps aspiring entrepreneurs grow their cleantech ideas into global businesses.

The ClimateLaunchpad formula has proven time and time again to be the key to climate positive business success.

New applications are welcome from anyone with a promising innovation in adaptation, renewable energy, food and agriculture, water, transportation, industrial technology, or any other way to tackle climate change.

Following the closing of applications on April 30, selected participants will start off their rigorous training with an intensive digital Boot Camp in June, which will be followed by intensive Coaching Sessions in the latter part of the month to prepare participants for their National Finals in the first week of July.

The top-3 business ideas will then get the opportunity to pitch their ideas at the Africa Regional Final in September, with the top teams advancing to the Global Grand Final in October 2021.

 “Since Ghana joined this amazing programme two years ago, our performance has been nothing short of remarkable, with at least one of our businesses making it to the global finals and regional semi-final in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

"The Climate Launchpad competition equips entrepreneurs not only with skills required for their green bbusinesses to thrive, but also with the vision, relationships, and values they need to succeed on the local and global markets. We encourage anyone with an idea or startup to grab this opportunity," said Ahuma Adodoadji, National Lead, Climate Launchpad Ghana.

He added that " Despite the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to successfully transform this highly impactful program to a completely virtual one in 2020, and we are confident that this year's will be bigger and better than the previous years."

Aside the cash prizes up for grabs by the top three global winners, ClimateLaunchpad supports the most promising cleantech ideas with business training and skills development to get their businesses thriving.

The start-ups also benefit from networking opportunities which sets them up to move forward to create climate impact, and the world’s top 10 ideas gain access to join Climate-KIC’s prestigious accelerator programme.

Information about ClimateLaunchpad, how to enter the competition and updates are available at www.climatelaunchpad.org. For the 2021 edition, application ends on 30^th April 2021.