Does your business idea make lifestyles more sustainable?
UNEP supports early stage start-ups that make sustainable goods and services more readily available. From low carbon mobility options, to products that reduce plastic waste, to solutions that reduce the carbon footprints of our lifestyles – pitch your solution to us for the chance to win $10,000, training, production of your very own video, and business mentorship from industry experts, and lots more.
The Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge seeks entrepreneurs/start-ups in one of the following categories:
- Low carbon energy: can you cut the amount of energy we use in our everyday lives? Can you help make the switch to cleaner source of energy? This category is for you.
- Low carbon mobility: electric vehicles, non-motorised transport, shared mobility – or surprise us with your ideas to help us get from A to B more sustainably.
- Plastic waste prevention: Reuse, sharing, upcycling, extended product lifespans, sustainable materials – the options to reduce plastic waste are endless!
Why entrepreneurs are important in finding low carbon solutions for our everyday lifestyles
Lifestyles in Asia are becoming increasing unsustainable. Air pollution, plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions are the unwanted side effect of increased consumption. However, there are signs of hope – Asia is a dynamic hub for innovation and start-ups. The high profile of marine litter, and climate change has sparked interest among consumers for better consumption choices. We need sustainable products and services to available to everyone. This is why we support young entrepreneurs to develop innovative, scalable start-ups that enable circular economy through low carbon, low waste business models for Asian consumers.
Applications for the 2020 cohort are now closed. Meet this year’s winners and join them in the online bootcamp to sharpen your business skills.
FEATURED ALUMNI - LATHIKA CHANDRA MOULI
India
VERTECH CAPITAL
Powering electric vehicles with solar power using blockchain
The best part about the Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge is undoubtedly the people. You get to learn so much from your cohort members and their start-up experiences, lessons that you can take when creating your strategies. The UN Environment Programme and other partners of the program are some of the most supportive people I have met and are ready to provide valuable feedback any time. One year after the program they are still opening doors whenever they can and fostering partnerships that could help our journey.
In addition to helping me further my start-up idea, this program taught me about the importance of entrepreneurs and start-ups in the sustainability space. The workshops, readings, and expert sessions through the Challenge provided a lot of important insights including managing accounts, how to convey the impact of your solution as well as the business case (that’s very important!) to investors and customers, and how to create an ecosystem of partners that can help you bring your solution to the market. The program was a great experience and my cohort members still continue to be great friends and mentors - I highly recommend this challenge to all entrepreneurs fighting the green fight!
