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FUTURE GREENTECH CHALLENGE

SPECIAL CALL

Your chance for a prize money and media coverage
Chance to secure pre-seed funding through our partners
Exclusive Access to Experts & Mentors
In Partnership with August-wilhelm scheer Institute & Center for Digital Technologies (DIGIT) TU Clausthal

This spring, we’re launching a dedicated competition track: the Future Greentech Challenge – a spotlight edition of Batch #4, focused on digital solutions for climate and nature.In collaboration with the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute and the Center for Digital Technologies (DIGIT), TU Clausthal, this high-profile startup challenge is aimed at early-stage teams working at the intersection of technology and ecology. It’s your chance to pitch groundbreaking ideas for ecosystem monitoring, resource regeneration, and nature-based climate solutions.Finalists will pitch live (online) on April 11, 2025, with prize money and strong visibility at stake. Selected teams may also be considered for follow-up mentoring, and funding opportunities as part of the growing ecosystem. If you're building the digital backbone for a climate-positive future – this is your moment.

Is Your Startup Driving the Future of Greentech?
  • Does your startup develop AI-powered, remote sensing, or robotics solutions to monitor and restore ecosystems?
  • Are you working on nature-based carbon capture and storage or smart technologies for more efficient resource management?
  • Do you create next-generation materials that are bio-based, resource-efficient, and climate-neutral?
  • Or are you innovating in circular economy solutions, tackling the reuse, recycling, and upcycling of natural raw materials?

Future Greentech Challenge Partners

FFI-mit-Emblem-RGB
awsi-logo
DIGIT-TU-Clausthal-1
DIGIT Forschungszentrum
Gefördert von:
gefördert durch das Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur

Some of our Accelerator Partners

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for young startups (max. 5 years old) that are developing digital technologies for the protection, regeneration, management, and recycling of nature-based resources to drive industrial decarbonization.

Your Profile
  • We are looking for startups developing digital technologies for the protection, regeneration, management, and recycling of nature-based resources to drive industrial decarbonization.
  • Ideally, you should be a pre-seed or seed-stage startup that was founded less than 5 years ago with an existing business model and/or a prototype.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Your startup is not older than 5 years
  • Commitment to participate in our online pitch event April 11th, 2025
  • You should be open to receiving funding and support after the pitch event!
The Fine Print
  • Travel & accommodation expenses will not be covered.
  • Food and external expert costs are covered by the Future Forest Initiative.
  • By applying, you consent to the use of photo and video recordings.
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Why you should apply

🎤 Pitch, Award & Prize Money💰

We help you craft a compelling pitch that resonates with investors, partners, and customers.

🚀 Exclusive Access to Experts & Mentors

Connect with top-tier experts in forestry, climate tech, impact investing, startup scaling, and digital transformation. With specialists from Future Forest Initiative, the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute and our strong science and investors partner network, you’ll receive real-world advice to drive your venture forward.  

📍 Chance for tailored milestone development
Define the critical next steps for your startup. Together, we develop your individual roadmap, ensuring you are well-prepared for the next accelerator stage..
🌱 Zero Cost, Maximum Impact

We believe in accessible innovation. After the Future Greentech Challenge we will give you the opportunity to be part of our program and introduce you to partners to bring your team, product and funding forward!

Your Benefits

Empower founders, gain contacts!

✓ Access to our team, science- and industry experts network.

✓ Strong and active investors and partner network.

Prize money and media coverage

✓ As one of the best 3 startups you will be rewarded with prize money directly after the pitch event

✓ Access to matching events with leading investors in ths segment.

✓ High media coverage

Product market fit via practical projects!

✓ 1:1 matching with leading industry representatives.

Let's take Greentech to the next level

pitch your innovation, prepare your go-to-market strategy, or get ready for the next investment round!

Future Greentech Challenge

Your Future Greentech Challenge Path

01.

Application open on

01.03.2025

How to apply

1️⃣ Submit your application via this form by 30th of March 2025.

2️⃣ Prepare a challenge-based task and pitch your solution during the Virtual Selection Day on 11th of April 2025.

02.

Applications closes on

30.03.2025

03.

Online Pitch Event & Award

11.04.2025

Pitching Time
  • Pitch your solution to a panel of experts, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Engage in challenge-based tasks to demonstrate your technology's potential.
  • Receive personalized feedback and prepare for prizes and possible funding

Meet the jury of the Future Greentech Challenge

Andreas Rausch
Prof. Dr. Andreas Rausch
Center for Digital Technologies TU Clausthal
Geschäftsführender Direktor
Alexander Trapp
Alexander Trapp
BANSON e.V. – Business Angel Netzwerk
Geschäftsleitung
Ellen Goel
Ellen Goel
August-Wilhelm Scheer Institut
Head of Center for Digital GreenTech
Fabian Vorländer
Fabian Vorländer
Deutschen Bundesstiftung Umwelt
Leiter Green Start-up Förderung
Wolf Goertz
Wolf Goertz
Future Forest Initiative
Co-Founder & CEO
NN
N.N.
to be announced
Co-Founder & CEO

Some of our partner mentors and experts

Lucas von Fürstenberg-2
Lucas von Fürstenberg
Freiherr von Fürstenberg'sche Forstverwaltung
Forest Owner & Business Angel
Dr. Holger Schmitz
Dr. Holger Schmitz
business elf - Managementberatung GmbH
Entrepreneur & Expert in Sustainability & Impact
Lars ten Bosch
Lars ten Bosch
HAWK Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst
Expert in Business Creation
Dr. Daniel F. Tomowski
Dr. Daniel F. Tomowski
Wirtschaftsförderung Region Goslar GmbH & Co. KG und TU Clausthal
Technology Expert & Expert in Sustainability and Impact

Your Startup Team

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Björn Kaminski
Co-Founder & Head of Startup-Innovation & Impact, Future Forest Initiative
Björn has 15+ years of experience in the startup ecosystem, including being a jury member of the DBU Green Startups Programme and co-initiator of the Green Startup Monitor.
Ellen Goel - Portrait
Ellen Goel
Head of Center for Digital GreenTech, August-Wilhelm Scheer Institut
Ellen is a passionate ex-entrepreneur and educator with 10+ years of experience in creating and leading innovative projects and programs that have a positive social and environmental impact. She supported more than 70 startups in the pre-seed stage in Germany and Singapore.
Urs Liebau - Kopie
Urs Liebau
Digitalization Professional, August-Wilhelm Scheer Institut
Urs is a project developer in the field of sustainable software assets, particularly in the areas of alternative proteins and biodiversity. As a networker, he always finds the right partners from politics, research institutes or companies. One of his specialities is the involvement of young companies in research proposals.

Join the Future Greentech Challenge!

Success Stories

  • By participating in the Future Forest Initiative 2022 Accelerator, we were able to grow enormously - it was an absolute game changer for us. We still benefit greatly from this network today.
    Michelle Spitzer
    Founder eco:fibr
  • We have now received EIP funding for our project in which we grow functional mushrooms in the forest. Thank you Future Forest Initiative for accompanying us to this great opportunity!
    Jana Baltscheit
    Founder Lykaia Nutrition

Q&A

❓What happens after the pitch event?

Selected startups get the chance to enter our Individual programs, where they receive tailored, ongoing support to implement milestones, refine their market approach, and gain traction with partners and investors.

❓Will I still be part of the broader Future Forest Accelerator if I join the Future Greentech Challenge?

Yes! Startups in the Future Greentech Challenge participate in the same structured Validation Sprint, alongside other startups from the Open Call. However, you’ll receive additional input and mentorship from the digitalization experts at the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute.

❓Is the Future Greentech Challenge remote?

Yes, the pitch is virtual, but selected startups will have in-person opportunities after the Future Greentech Challenge.

Unsere Programme für eure Innovationen

Wir bieten im Rahmen des europaweit ersten Accelerators für Wald & Klima individuelle Programmformate an, in denen euch als Startup mit Wald- und Klimabezug, ein passgenauer Zugang zu Mentor:innen und Expert:innen, zu potentiellen Investor:innen sowie Umsetzungspartnern geboten wird. In unserem Accelerator-Programm #accelerate vernetzen wir euch mit Waldbesitzenden und relevanten Stakeholdern aus Unternehmen, Wissenschaft und Politik, begleiten und organisieren Pilotprojekte und initiieren strategische Partnerschaften für euren erfolgreichen Markeinstieg.

FUTURE FOREST #ACCELERATE

FUTURE FOREST (7)

Als reifere Startups unterstützen wir euch in unserem Programm #accelerate bei eurer Go-To-Market Strategie. Kern der Säule #accelerate ist ein mehrmonatiges Accelerator-Programm mit Präsenz- und Online-Formaten und dem Finale (Demo Day) beim Future Forest Forum auf dem beeindruckenden Schloss Blankenburg im Harz. Dafür stellen wir euch u.a. ein Netzwerk aus über 40 Mentor:innen zur Verfügung, das euch bei euren Milestones unterstützt, sowie attraktive Partner, mit denen ihr eure Lösungen optimieren könnt. Die Programmsprache ist größtenteils englisch, da sich #accelerate auch an internationale Startups aus ganz Europa richtet. Mehr Infos unten und hier im Flyer.

Unser Fokus

Der Fokus unseres #accelerate Programms liegt auf Impact-Startups aus dem Wald-, Holz- und ClimateTech-Umfeld, die eine unternehmerische Zielsetzung verfolgen. Wir unterstützen dabei insb. Startups der Pre-Seed und Seed-Stage mit einem vorhandenen Prototyp oder einem bestehendem Business Modell. Thematisch bewegen wir uns dabei in den 3 Säulen Smart Forestry (z.B. Robotik), Ecosystem Services  (z.B. Stärkung der Biodiversität) und Climate Solutions (z.B. Agroforst & Bioecomomy).

jetzt bewerben

Ablauf #accelerate 2023

Phase 1 - Bewerbung für den Validation-Sprint

Nach eurer Bewerbung für Batch#2 unseres Startup-Programms bis spät. 04.04.2023 werden wir bereits am 06. April eine Entscheidung treffen, welche Startups dieses Jahr dabei sein werden, und euch umgehend informieren. #accelerate ist in 2 Phasen aufgeteilt. In Sprint 1 validiert ihr mit Hilfe von Mentoren euere Innovation und qualifiziert euch für die Incubation-Phase. Werdet ihr dafür ausgewählt geht es in diversen Sessions mit unseren Partnern um die Entwicklung einer Go-to-market Strategie, konkrete Kooperationsprojekte oder Finanzierungsoptionen. Individuell nach eurem Bedarf.

Falls du nicht die passende Antwort auf deine Frage gefunden hast, schreib uns doch einfach an!

Our vision

The Future Greentech Challenge is more than just a startup competition. It is part of a strategic initiative to establish a leading GreenTech Innovation Hub. By integrating academic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and practical application, we aim to create a dynamic ecosystem where innovative solutions for environmental challenges are developed and scaled.​

In collaboration with esteemed partners such as the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute and the Center for Digital Technologies (DIGIT) at TU Clausthal, we are committed to:​

  • Fostering Innovation: Encouraging the development of cutting-edge technologies that promote the protection, regeneration, and sustainable management of natural resources.​

  • Bridging Academia and Industry: Facilitating collaboration between researchers, students, startups, and established companies to translate scientific research into practical applications.​

  • Driving Economic Growth: Supporting startups in scaling their solutions, attracting investment, and contributing to the regional and global GreenTech economy.​

By participating in the Future Greentech Challenge, startups not only gain access to resources and mentorship but also become integral contributors to a broader movement aimed at achieving a sustainable and climate-positive future.