We need to be more agile and adaptable to address the grand challenges. The need for transformative and collaborative innovation to drive the world towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions is more important than ever. But sustainability is a much broader concept than zero greenhouse emission. The UN has devised no less than 17 sustainable development goals, SDGs, to recognize the multiple dimensions of sustainability. Supporting sustainability is necessary for a positive impact on the global economy and to sustain lives worldwide.

Innovation is hereby meant to be one of the key elements for achieving the overall goal: To create a world we all want to live in! The KIT Sustainable Innovation Challenge seeks to motivate students to tackle problems with their ideas designed to create a more sustainable world for all.

The KIT Sustainable Innovation Challenge is open for participation of student teams or individual applications from the KIT which already have a rough business plan. Get involved and present a meaningful business idea towards the much-needed change for a better world.

What do we expect from you?

• Passion for sustainability
• Motivation to develop your start-up idea further
• Interest in shaping transformation

Submissions will be scored based on 3 criteria:

• Impact - “How does the idea support sustainable goals and values”,
• novelty - “Is the idea new and innovative” and
• feasibility - “Could the idea be implemented in the next 1 to 2 years”.

What can you expect from us?

• Practical experience in the field of interdisciplinary innovation
• 3 ARRTI mentoring meetings and 3 coaching sessions
• Visibility: promotion of your innovation via KIT communication channels
• Networking: Access to the ARRTI, EnTechnon, ITAS, and Gründerschmiede Network
• Up to 3 student assistant (Hiwi) contracts, each for 40 hours per month over a period of 6 months, to be used for the further development of the business idea

Application deadline

Registration is possible until April 15, 2025.