Dutch CleanTech Challenge 2023
Sustainable development is a hot and challenging topic. The same goes for founding a successful business. Within 10 weeks of interactive seminars you will be able to combine the two.
Are you interested in starting your own sustainable business but don’t know where to start? The Dutch CleanTech Challenge is a competition for entrepreneurial students throughout the country.
To sign up for the newsletter and stay up-to-date about our upcoming events click here. Or directly register for the Challenge!

How it works

1. Find
Find your own team with students from TU Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Leiden University and come up with a business idea.

2. Learn
Coaching from specialists in the field of sustainability.

3. Improve

4. Pitch

At the cornerstone of innovation.
The CleanTech Challenge provides entrepreneurial students the chance to work out their innovative ideas from the concept stage to a final business plan, with the help of professionals throughout the process.
After the great success of the previous Dutch CleanTech Challenges, we are proud to announce the 2023 edition of the Dutch CTC. The Dutch CTC is hosted by Yes!Delft Students and the Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship and encourages student teams with interdisciplinary backgrounds to develop and pitch their concepts for a sustainable start-up. The CleanTech Challenge provides entrepreneurial students the chance to work out their sustainable, innovative ideas from the concept stage to a final business plan, with the help of professionals throughout the process.
If you are interested, join our Kick-off Speed dating event on January 19th where you meet possible teammembers if you are still looking for a team or for members to complete your team. Besides, more information about the challenge and the program will be presented.
Timeline 2022-2023
January 19th
Preliminary Kick-off CleanTECH Challenge 2023 & Speed dating event
During the Preliminary Kick-off we will inform you about all our upcoming events, what to expect of the CleanTech Challenge and what’s in it for you! Next to this a speed dating event will be available in which you will have the opportunity to get to know possible team members with whom you will start the challenge!
Deadline Team registration
Make sure you have registered yourself and your team before February 2nd to participate in the CleanTech Challenge 2023!
February 2nd
February 16th
Kick-off cleantech challenge 2023
Congratulations, you officially take part in the CleanTech Challenge at this point! During the Kick-off you will get to know all the details about our coming events and also get a chance to meet the other teams and partners!
workshop sessions for semi-finals
Build and refine your ideas and skills at the workshop sessions. Through these extensive workshops from leading experts in the field of cleantech and innovation you will take your idea to the next level!
March 2nd, 6th & 16th
March 20th
Deadline executive summary hand-in
After you have participated in the workshops and have had some more time to develop your idea, it is time to hand in your executive summary. This summary is the foundation of your work that is ultimately refined into your cleantech solution!
Dutch semi-finals
Get ready to present your idea to the world, the best teams will go on to the Dutch finals!
March 24th
End of March 31th
Workshop for finals
Finalise and get last inspiration for your idea from the last workshop before the Dutch finals!
Dutch Finals
Here the teams that have advanced to the final stage will face off against each other to showcase the best student cleantech innovation of 2021! The winner receives funding for their start-up and the wildcard ticket to the global finals in London!
April 6th
April 19th & 20th
Global Finals
The winners of the Dutch finals will advance to as the Dutch delegation towards London to pitch their idea in the global competition!
Previous winners
Interview and Aftermovie
Interview Reefy
In this interview we talk with Daniel who founded Reefy together with his good friend Jaime. They participated in last year’s challenge and became second in the global finals!
Curious what they do?
FAQ
General
I am studying in Rotterdam/Leiden/Amsterdam/a non-technical university. Is this challenge also for me?
Who can participate in the Challenge?
We welcome everyone who is enrolled in undergraduate, masters, MBA or PhD programmes at the time of January 2023 to participate in the CleanTech Challenge 2023.
We do accept ideas that have been developed in collaboration with individuals who are not students (or no longer students). However, each team of 2-5 people that competes in the Challenge must entirely be comprised of students. We allow — and encourage — participants to seek external input into the development of their ideas, as the aim of the competition is to help students further develop and refine their idea
How is the Challenge different from other business case competitions?
Most business plan competitions focus on the output – often an elaborate document that does not focus on the core risks and challenges faced by a new venture. This competition is different.
To begin with, students have to base their ventures on real technology opportunities and market needs. In addition, students are required to put together ‘teams’ that are explicitly short-term – whose sole objective is to take the opportunity through to the next stage of investment by a process that we call ‘de-risking’. Third, students work with mentors to refine their ideas.
In short – the CleanTech Challenge aims to create sustainable ventures.
What qualifies as “CleanTech”?
What awards and benefits will the winners receive?
The winner(s) of the Dutch CleanTech Challenge will receive price money including a direct (online) ticket to the global finals. All winners from the first round will get:
-
- Feedback on their ideas from world class clean technology venture capitalists
- Certification of your participation in the CleanTech Challenge 2023
- Introduction to a network of clean technology entrepreneurs, investors and potential partners
- Mentoring by experienced professionals
- Access to exclusive seminars
How does the winner get selected?
Entering the challenge
How do I enter the challenge with my idea?
You’ll need a team in order to participate in the CleanTech Challenge 2023, this team can contain anywhere between 2-5 people as they’re eligible for the challenge. You can sign up yourself (and your team members, if applicable) via the registration form on the website. If you are still looking for other team members we advice you to attend the speed dating sessions on January 17th.
Are there any limitations for submitting your idea?
We do accept ideas that have been developed in collaboration with individuals who are not students (or no longer students), but your team that will be competing in the Challenge must entirely be comprised of eligible students. We allow — and encourage — participants to seek external input into the development of their ideas, as the aim of the competition is to help students further develop and refine their idea!
I don’t have an idea, but I would like to participate. How can I join the competition?
We strongly encourage you to try to create your own ideas, even if they are rough sketch. Do some research and see what is being said about CleanTech – maybe you will find some inspiration.
Option 2 is to find a team that has already formed an idea over here. The kickoff and the speeddating session give you the opportunity to get know possible teammates and interesting ideas you could work with. In the registration form you can tell us wether you have an idea already, are willing to join an existing team or you are looking for some extra team members.
It’s also a good idea to follow our LinkedIn and/or instagram page, so that we can keep you updated on the competition.
Unfortunately, I can't make it to the preliminary kickoff and/or speeddating session. Is it still possible to enroll in the CleanTech Challenge 2023?
The preliminary kick-off and speeddating events are not obligatory and you can register with your team until the 2nd of February. However, we really encourage everyone to attend these events if you are looking for extra team members or want to join an existing team and also to get a good overview of what you can expect from the Challenge.
What's the deadline for registration in the challenge?
Make sure you’ve registered yourself before January 17th and your team (if applicable) before February 2nd!
How do I signup myself or my team for the challenge?
You can register here for the Challenge individually and here with a team. In case your team exists out of multiple people, only one team member has to register the team. This person will become the contact person and will receive all the necessary information about the Challenge from us. If problems occur during the registration process, shoot us a mail at info@cleantechchallenge.nl!
Get in touch with the CTC team
Feel free to contact us by mailing us at info@cleantechchallenge.nl or through filling in the contact form below!



