Innovation Challenge Start-ups Globally Award

Innovation Challenge Start-ups Globally Award

The ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2023 has the topic "Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture" !

We are looking for Innovators and their Sustainable Chemistry solutions that benefit Agriculture!
You are adressing this topic with your Start-up? Then apply for the next ISC3 Innovation Challenge and fill out the application form below.

The current fourth Innovation Challenge addresses innovators developing solutions in the field of Sustainable Chemistry and Agriculture with the following subtopics:

Fertilizers: efficient use of organic and inorganic fertilizers; avoidance of over-fertilization with potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus; supply and use of alternative fertilizers and further solutions for replenishing soil fertility and maintaining or re-establishing soil health (incl. CO2 sequestration)

Nutrient recovery in soil, plants, feedstocks, products, etc. (such as secondary nutrients in plants, e.g.)

Precision farming: use of digitalisation and automation for resource efficient farming; point application of fertilizers, pesticides, and water

Crop protection: production and use of natural biocides /biopesticides; benign substitutes for pesticides; biocide leasing as business model

Water: Intelligent water supply; water harvesting, avoidance of water contamination with fertilizers

Renewable energy and agriculture: use for desalination to provide fresh water; ammonia synthesis with green hydrogen

Valorisation of agricultural waste: circularity approaches in agriculture

Shelf-life extension solutions for fruits, vegetables, seeds, etc.

Solutions fostering reduced externalized costs (biodiversity loss, drinking water pollution, soil compaction, erosion, etc.)

Innovations targeting the development of genetically modified seeds, GMO crops etc. are explicitly excluded from the scope of this challenge.

Submission of proposals

The submission of proposals will follow a 2-stage procedure. First stage submissions include an online template which asks for a brief description of the innovation, the business perspectives and the innovators team. Eligible submissions will be invited to the second stage, in which more

detailed information must be provided.

Eligible participants

Eligible are all innovators and entrepreneurs, i.e., persons owning or representing the proposed innovation, employed by organisations including research institutes, start-ups, small-medium sized enterprises, or comparable institutions active in the development and realisation of sustainable chemistry solutions.

Enterprises participating in the challenge shall have a staff headcount not exceeding 50 (full time equivalent) and an annual turnover of max. 10 million Euro. Enterprises majority-owned by large enterprises are not eligible for the award, except for innovations leading to the creation of independent spin-offs.

Proposals submitted by innovators and entrepreneurs from developing countries and tackling challenges in developing countries are considered as particularly important. Female entrepreneurs are specifically encouraged to submit a proposal.

Criteria

The proposals will be assessed against the three main criteria:

Innovation level. Is the innovation unique, distinct, and truly original?

Business viability. What is the market potential of the innovation?

Is the idea commercially feasible?

Sustainability. What is the sustainability impact of the innovation?

What to expect?

Five finalists will receive:

Tailored support: access to Global Start-up Service Customised Support

Visibility: promotion of your innovation via ISC3 communication channels

Cash prizes: the overall Innovation Challenge Winner will receive a cash prize of 15,000 EUR.

The two separate categories “Best Social Impact” and “Best Regional Impact" are endowed with cash prizes amounting to 5,000 EUR each.

Schedule

Launch of the new 2023 Innovation Challenge: December 15th, 2022

Deadline for first stage submission: April 3rd, 2023, 23:59:59 CEST

Deadline for second stage submission: May 31st, 2023, 23:59:59 CEST

Jury Evaluation: June 1st – July 9th, 2023

Finalist announcements: after July 15th, 2023

Finalist pitch training: September 2023

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; Innovation Challenge Start-ups Globally Award