HKUST Social Entrepreneurship - Climate Challenge 2022

While the world is emphasizing on the need for global health amid COVID19 pandemic, a healthy plant is also crucial in improving human health. Imminent actions upon tackling climate change and enhancing environmental protection always involve collaboration across global communities. It is time for you to unleash your potential and generate disruptive ideas.  Join the HKUST Social Entrepreneurship - Climate Challenge 2022, organized by HKUST Entrepreneurship Center. Submit a sustainable solution to be achieved by 2023 on addressing the environmental challenge in 5 categories: 1) Nature, 2) Air, 3) Oceans, 4) Waste Free World and 5) Climate. The solution can be identified across all sectors, from grassroots to businesses with feasible innovations.  The winners will be awarded up to HKD 2000 cash prize. Moreover, they may be nominated to The Earthshot Prize 2022 to win £1 Million in prize money, as well as the tailored support and opportunities to scale up. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

A. Environmental challenges (Choose ONE field only)

1. Protect and Restore Nature

2. Build a Waste-Free World

3. Revive Our Oceans

4. Clean Our Air

5. Fix Our Climate

B. Eligibility

1. The principal applicant must be HKUST full time current student (undergraduate/ postgraduate from Clear Water Bay/ Guangzhou Campus).

2. Contestants can take part as individuals or in teams (up to 7 members in a team).

3. All entries must address only ONE environmental challenge only.

4. Applicants may submit more than one entry, but each entry must be a unique idea.

C. Submission Requirement & Deadline
A pitch deck with a 10-minute audio narration in English (Click here for instructions on how to audio-record in your PPT) 
*up to 15 slides including all title/reference pages and appendices; in both PPT and PDF format.

Please submit your entry online by 13 February 2022, 11:59 pm.

D. Prizes, Certificates and Additional Opportunities

1. Awards and Cash Prizes to winners:

         i. Protect and Restore Nature Award – HKD 2000 (Quota: 1 winner)
         ii.Build a Waste-Free World Award – HKD 2000 (Quota: 1 winner)
         iii.Revive our Ocean Award – HKD 2000 (Quota: 1 winner)
         iv.Clean Our Air Award – HKD 2000 (Quota: 1 winner)
         v. Fix Our Climate Award – HKD 2000 (Quota: 1 winner)

All the above Awardees will be nominated to The Earthshot Prize 2022: Win £1 Million in prize money and shortlisted nominees will also be given tailored support and opportunities to help scale their work, including being connected with an ecosystem of likeminded individuals and organisations.

         vi. Creative Award - HKD 500 (Quota: 5 winners)
         vii.Great Effort Award (Quota: 5 winners)

All winners will be recognised with a Certificate of merit and EC souvenir.

2. Certificate of participation to all contestants

E. JUDGING CRITERIA

The selection panel, composed of HKUST EC representatives will assess and select entries according to the following criteria:

• 20% - Level of Innovation

• 20% - Level of Feasibility and Scalability

• 20% - Social Value Creation

• 20% - Market readiness

• 10% - Team Background & Strength

• 10% - Overall Presentation

F. Result

Result will be announced on or before 18 February 2022 via email.

G. Enquiry

Should you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact ecenter@ust.hk.