About the ClimaTech Innovation Challenge
Event Summary
The ClimaTech Innovation Challenge is an event where early and late-stage climate and energy companies can compete to win prizes and connect with customers and partners. The event is held in coordination with ClimaTech in Boston, but it is global in nature. Any company from around the world can participate. The competition leverage AI tools throughout the whole process to make it easy for companies, sponsors, and partners to participate and benefit from ongoing connections. Finalists will present their solutions on stage at ClimaTech and get exposure and connections in addition to cash and in-kind prizes.
Date and Location
- Date: May 13-14, 2025
- Location: Boston (Conference venue)
- Format: Hybrid (initial screening online, finals in-person at conference)
Objectives
- Identify promising climate and energy companies and solutions
- Provide funding to accelerate climate innovation
- Create valuable connections between companies, investors, customers, and partners
- Showcase cutting-edge climate solutions at ClimaTech 2025
- Raise awareness about economic opportunities in climate and energy
Competition Structure
Competition Tracks
- Early-Stage: For companies that have raised less than $1 million of equity or with 2024 revenue below $1 million.
- Mid-Stage: For companies that have raised $1-20 million of equity or with 2024 revenue between $1-$10 million.
- Late-Stage: For companies that have raised over $20 million of equity or with 2024 revenue over $10 million.
Selection Phases
- Application Phase: Open call for startups and teams (March-April 2025)
- Screening Phase: AI-facilitated ranking of applications based on criteria (April 2025)
- Semi-Final Phase: AI and human judges review applications and select finalists. (April 2025)
- Final Phase: In-person presentations at ClimaTech 2025 conference for 6 finalists (May 13-14, 2025)
Finalists
6 finalist teams across the three tracks will present at the conference:
- 2 Early-Stage finalists
- 2 Mid-Stage finalists
- 2 Late-Stage finalists
AI Technology Integration
As part of the ClimaTech Innovation Challenge, we leverage advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assess and score each startup on several key dimensions. This process supports a fair, consistent, and comprehensive evaluation of all applicants.
- AI screening of initial applications using specialized models
- AI mentoring available to teams to help prepare pitches
- AI judge for semi-finals and finals to provide unbiased evaluations
- Transcription of pitches and Q&A for AI analysis
The AI will utilize a range of tools and techniques, including and machine learning models and platforms such as OpenAI, Stack AI and potentially additional AI models from Anthropic, Meta, Google, Perplexity, and/or HuggingFace, to analyze applications based on the judging criteria.
Competition Timeline
Applications Open
March 25th, 2025
Submit your innovative climate tech solution.
Application Deadline
April 27th, 2025
Last day to submit and edit your application.
Finalists Announced
May 1st, 2025
Selected finalists notified and announced.
Matchmaking Event
May 9th, 2025 and beyond
Applicants get connected with potential customers and service providers leading up to, during, and after the finals event.
Final Competition & Awards
May 13-14th, 2025
Live pitch event, judging, matching and awards ceremony.