Subtopics of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2025Our Innovation Challenge 2025 focused on Sustainable Chemistry and Climate Change. We were seeking groundbreaking chemistry or chemical technology innovations that tackle climate change mitigation and adaptation. Application open from 19th November 2024 until 3rd March 2025.
Key Focus Areas:
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in chemical production:- Use of renewable energy sources for energy supply in chemical transformations, incl. electrochemical conversions, Power-to-X technologies, photocatalytic processes, green hydrogen
- Substitution of fossil feedstock by non-food biomass/waste organic material and conversion to chemicals and materials
- Chemical conversions using CO2 as feedstock (CCU) and carbon capture technologies providing CO2 as feedstock, incl. also Direct Air Capture
- Chemical production technologies decreasing CO2 emissions by minimizing energy use
- Easy to implement selective catalytic/non-catalytic reduction technologies for nitrous oxide in chemical production plants
- Mitigation technologies for other GHGs in chemical production processes
GHG mitigation through chemistry and biotechnology solutions:
Chemistry-based materials with superior energy-efficiency, effectively reducing (scope 4) CO2 emissions in other sectors (construction, transport etc.)Mitigation of nitrous oxide from fertilized cropping systemsMitigation technologies for methane emissions in agriculture (ruminants) or municipal solid waste landfillsHigh-performance alternatives to fluorinated gases with high global warming potential (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluorideChemistry-based climate change adaptation technologies:
Innovation in desalination techniques and recycling of wastewater to ensure sustainable freshwater suppliesChemical solutions for retaining water for agriculture in arid areasSoil Carbon Sequestration: Enhancing soil's capacity to capture and store carbon, improving soil health and reducing the impacts of climate change on food production.Heat-Resilient Building Materials, e.g. chemistry-based materials for indoor climate regulation in buildings, e.g. building insulation materials, phase change materials, reflective surfaces, etc.Submission of proposals:
The submission of proposals will follow a 2-stage procedure. First stage submissions include an online template that asks for a brief description of the innovation, its business perspectives, and the innovator 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
- Networking: participation in the Investor Forum 2025
- Training: individual and group pitch training for preparation of your Investor Forum 2025 pitch
- 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" OR “Special Impact” are endowed with cash prizes amounting to 5,000 EUR each.
Schedule:
Launch of the 2025 Innovation Challenge: November 19th, 2024, 3:00 p.m. CETDeadline for first stage submission: March 3rd, 2025, 0:00 a.m. CET
Deadline for second stage submission: May 4th, 2025, 0:00 a.m. CEST
Jury Evaluation: May 6th, 0:00 a.m. CEST – June 16th, 2025, 0:00 a.m. CEST
Finalist announcements: after June 25th, 2025
Finalist pitch training: July-September 2025
Launch of the 2025 Innovation Challenge: This years Innovation Challenge Award Ceremony is scheduled to take place at the 2025 ISC3 Investor Forum in winter. Further information will be disclosed in due time.
