PNW Climate Week: Climate Tech Challenge 2024

What is the Climate Tech Challenge?

The Climate Tech Challenge is an exciting week-long competition designed to showcase real climate solutions, both existing and new, all that we ask is that you adhere to the program and be climate focused. We have customized the entire process to enable participants with workshops and mentoring from industry experts. 

Our goal is to guide teams of entrepreneurs toward producing real world solutions, while experiencing the startup world, developing a new tool set, and meeting climate focused founders, investors, and mentors. Teams will be judged throughout the competition on relevance, impact, feasibility, and scalability. The week will conclude with a final demo day where the finalist teams get to present their company to a panel of climate focused VC”s and fund managers in front of an eager crowd.

Who should attend this event?

Innovators and mad scientists with a core mission of addressing issues related to the climate crisis. Demo Day attendees can range from climate activists, investors, founders, entrepreneurs, students, to literally anyone else interested in climate tech or startups.

What are the prizes?

***Prizes pending***

What types of technology will be allowed/required?

There are no requirements. We refer to tech as in any technology that can assist in finding actionable climate solutions.

What to expect:

This is a 6 day event with days 1-5 for competitors, which are optional, and Demo Day on Day 6, which is open to the public. Teams work throughout the week to create and improve their due diligence, while judges complete 2 rounds of elimination. Finalists present on Day 6/Demo Day to a panel of climate VCs and fund managers in front of a crowd.

Schedule:

Competitor attendance is only required on Day 6/Demo Day. Optional workshops and mentor hours will be available on days 2-5.

July 7th - Introduction and networking. Deadline for team submission at 6PM.

July 8th - Submission of the first draft of due diligence due by 6 PM.

July 9th - First round of elimination results.

July 10th - Submission of the second draft of due diligence due by 6 PM.

July 11th - Finalists announced. Finalists polish their pitch.

July 12th - Demo Day for finalist teams pitch presentations, judging, and winner announcement. Open to the public. Attendance is mandatory for participating teams.

What are the rules?

You may bring an existing idea but make certain your team understands your intentions after the event, if it's an idea you're not interested in sharing with others then you may want to stick to either a one person team or with an existing team.

• Existing ideas are welcome; ensure clarity on post-event intentions with your team.
• Team size is limited to a maximum of 15 participants.
• Idea must be climate-focused.

Judging Criteria:

• Innovation: How does this project demonstrate originality and creativity in its approach to solving climate challenges?
• Impact: What is the projected or demonstrated impact of this solution on mitigating climate change or enhancing sustainability?
• Feasibility: How feasible is the implementation of this solution in real-world applications, considering technical requirements and resource management?
• Presentation: How effectively does the team communicate the problem, solution, and potential impact of their project to the judges and audience?
• Scalability and Sustainability: To what extent does this project demonstrate scalability and sustainability in addressing long-term environmental challenges?

Join us in making a difference for our planet. See you at the Climate Tech Challenge 2024!