Future of Energy Challenge: Net-Zero Emissions

About the Future of Energy Challenge

For the fourth consecutive year, Net Impact is seeking creative and actionable ideas from next generation leaders that will shape our path to a more sustainable energy future. We invite teams who dream of launching their own sustainable energy enterprise to develop your solutions with us in 2021. Through our expansive network, Net Impact provides challenge participants the resources and mentorship to transform their innovative ideas into viable proofs of concepts that will lead to sustainable business ventures.

Download challenge brief

By participating in the 2021 Net Impact Accelerator you will:

Receive mentorship by industry experts and business coaches who will work with you to develop assets such as an impact assessment strategy, theory of change, a minimum viable product (MVP), and an impact report.
Have access to a network of people working towards impactful solutions, mentors and field experts.
Gain feedback to grow your solution and the support to launch your venture.

By participating in the final pitch competition you will:

Develop a tested pitch deck to share with potential investors or clients.
The winning team will receive up to $10,000 of non-dilutive funding to invest in the next stage of developing their clean energy start-up. See the challenge brief for full details.

Benefits

This is a serious challenge with serious benefits. Finalists will receive the following and become Net Impact Future of Energy Scholars:

Mentorship

Industry experts and mentors provide guidance and feedback as finalists develop a roadmap to launching their venture

Connections

Unlock access to business and industry experts, and a community of sustainability-oriented social entrepreneurs

Prize

The winning team will receive up to $10,000 of non-dilutive funding to invest in the next stage of developing their clean energy start-up. See the challenge brief for full details.

How it Works

Participants submit a proposal with a potential solution addressing the challenge question: 'What solutions, whether applied to individual consumers or commercial activities, could support significant scope 3 emissions** reductions?' **See the challenge brief for more details on scope 3 emissions

Up to five teams will be chosen to join the Future of Energy Scholars. Future of Energy Scholars will further develop their solutions through the eight-week 2021 Net Impact Accelerator, run in partnership with Eidos Global’s Social Innovation Warehouse, and designed to grow their solution into a scalable business.

The accelerator culminates with a pitch competition in the summer of 2021. The winning team will receive up to $10,000 of non-dilutive funding to invest in the next stage of developing their clean energy start-up. See the challenge brief for full details.

Download the challenge brief for all the details. Register to attend one of our weekly Q&A sessions here.

Submit your solutions by the early-bird deadline of March 15, 2021 to receive customized feedback and the opportunity to re-submit your concept by the final deadline.

Key Dates

April 19th, 2021

Final submission deadline

Early June 2021

Accelerator starts

Late July 2021

Accelerator ends

July 31, 2021

Pitch competition

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Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals are all welcome to apply.
Teams must have between 2 and 4 members.
Solutions must address the challenge question. This question is intentionally broad in its interpretation so you can think creatively about applicable solutions.
Teams must be committed to launching their solution over the next 3-5 years within the U.S. market.
Solutions can be in the early stages of development. However, teams must:
- Demonstrate experience in the topic, whether professional or academic.
- Be able to describe the solution, speak to the specific need being addressed, and explain how the solution is uniquely suited to address this need.
- Be knowledgeable about similar solutions in the marketplace, if any.
- Be able to share a rough outline or timeline for when the solution is expected to be ready to launch.
- Be committed to bring their solution to market.
Because this is an immersive program that will prepare your team with the skills and resources to successfully launch your energy solution, selected teams must commit 6 hours a week, per team, from early June to the end of July 2021.

Questions?

See our Frequently Asked Questions
Applicant Resources
Schedule a 20 min informational call here
Register to attend one of our weekly Q&A sessions here
Email futureofenergy@netimpact.org