ISC3 is looking for innovators in the field of Sustainable Chemistry & Climate Change

What innovative ideas in Sustainable Chemistry can help mitigate and adapt to climate change? This is the central question posed by the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) in the Innovation Challenge 2025. Start-ups and innovators from around the world are invited to apply with their solutions in the field of Sustainable Chemistry for this annual competition, which once again offers a total prize pool of EUR 25,000. The application period is open until the 3rd of March 2025.

"Sustainable Chemistry plays a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis. With our sixth Innovation Challenge, we aim to identify, reward, and support start-ups and innovative solutions in the field of Sustainable Chemistry and climate change," says Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub.

For the sixth edition of its Innovation Challenge in 2025, ISC3 is seeking groundbreaking innovations in Sustainable Chemistry that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, particularly in the following key areas:

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in chemical production:

• Use of renewable energy sources for energy supply in chemical transformations
• Substitution of fossil feedstock by non-food biomass/waste organic material
• Etc.

GHG mitigation through chemistry and biotechnology solutions:

• Mitigation technologies for methane emissions in agriculture or municipal solid waste landfills
• High-performance alternatives to fluorinated gases with high global warming potential
• Etc.

Chemistry-based climate change adaptation technologies:

• Chemical solutions for retaining water for agriculture in arid areas or recycling wastewater for sustainable freshwater supplies
• Soil Carbon Sequestration: Enhancing soil's capacity to capture and store carbon, improving soil health
• Heat-Resilient Building Materials
• Etc.

The finalists selected by the international jury will receive access to customised support through the ISC3 Global Start-up Service as well as pitch training, networking opportunities and visibility through the ISC3 communication channels.

The ISC3 Global Start-up Service is the world's first program to offer comprehensive support to innovators in Sustainable Chemistry. The unique program supports start-ups based on their needs and provides direct access to talent, experts and stakeholders by bringing together the relevant players to find the right solutions.

The winner of the Innovation Challenge 2025 will receive prize money of EUR 15,000. In addition, the winners of the categories "Best Regional Impact" and "Best Social Impact" or "Special Impact", will receive prize money of EUR 5,000 each.

Applications submitted by innovators and entrepreneurs from the Global South and ideas that address challenges in developing countries are particularly encouraged. The finalists will be officially announced at the end of June 2025. They will pitch for the Innovation Challenge Award at the ISC3 Investor Forum in autumn or winter 2025.

Registration and Application