Deadline for Submission of Applications is 30th August 2024

Cleantech Innovation Competition Call for Application Guidelines

The Cleantech Innovation Competition is a joint initiative by Kenya Climate Innovation Center(KCIC), Embassy of Switzerland-Kenya, SICPA, and Strathmore University. The purpose of the competition is to support early-stage businesses in the cleantech sector that focus on solving environmental problems.

It is aimed at providing a platform for higher education students in Kenya to showcase their innovative cleantech ideas and technologies that can be used to address local environmental issues. The competition is in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) and is focused on the following thematic areas: Renewable Energy solutions, Waste management and recycling, Sustainable Agriculture, Water purification and Conservation, Green Transportation, Eco-friendly construction practices, and Nature Based solutions.

KCIC is placing a call for applications to enrol cleantech technologies and related business ideas into the competition. The competition will address key challenges that hinder cleantech technologies and related innovative business ideas from tapping into the immense potential in the cleantech sector.

This call for applications will run from August 1, 2024 to August 30, 2024. Thereafter, applicants will receive feedback by 10th September 2024.

●   All Applications must be submitted online through the Kenya Climate Innovation Center website Application portal

●   The Applicants must complete an application form by answering a series of mandatory questions

●   Personal information supplied in the application form such as names, addresses and date of birth should be verifiable, and the applicant is solely responsible for informing KCIC of changes in current contact methods indicated in their application.

●   The Applicant must provide current correspondence address, email and telephone numbers and inform of any changes during the review and onboarding process.

●   Upon submission of the application form, an email will be sent to the Applicant or via the preferred contact method indicated in their application.

●   Once submitted, applications cannot be altered or amended.

●   Review of applications will commence immediately after client applications have been received in our system. Shortlisting of applicants will take place following the close of the Application Window.   

  • The applicant must be a university student in Kenya.
  • The application must be in the ideation stage
  • The application must clearly demonstrate how it addresses an environmental problem

The applications will be screened for eligibility as outlined below:

  • Vetting

All the potential projects that will respond to the call for proposal shall go through a vetting process which will see the qualified ones recruited into the competition. The criteria for selection and scoring system is clearly defined and documented below to ensure that there is an established, standardized, transparent and objective process.

  • Selection and Onboarding of Participants

It is only after the vetting, selection and acceptance of the selected cleantech projects that shall be referred to as “participants” of the competition. The participants shall constitute those that will be taken through the pitching and communication training.

A scoring system will be used to provide each application with a score between 1 and 35 (35 being most successful). An application must score a minimum of 25 or 70% to be considered under the cleantech innovation competition.

  • Applications will be ranked on scores from top to bottom and all applicants will receive an official response on their application determining whether they were successful or not.
  • Applicants will be contacted via email regarding their application.

The following criteria and scoring system will be used for evaluation of the eligible applications for this call.

  • Scalability – does the innovation show clear and compelling mission to grow a sustainable and commercially viable business
  • Climate Impact – The extent to which the proposed business/product/technology has an impact on climate mitigation OR climate adaptation OR environmental benefits.
  • Job Creation – The potential of the proposed business/product/technology towards job creation.
  • Progress to date – has the applicant taken key steps to move the idea forward?
  • Innovation – is the business innovative in the way it addresses an identified problem in the market / has a unique business model?

Outline of the Competition Dates
Launching the call for application 01/08/2024
Info session Webinar 15/07/2024
Call for applications closes 30/08/2024
Applications review and vetting 15/08/24 to 04/09/24

 

Communication to applicants 08/09/24
Pitching and communication training: A maximum of twenty participants will be shortlisted to undertake an online bootcamp to get training on pitching and communication. 09th and 10th September 2024
Regional presentations (semi-final stage):     20 participants will compete in the regional finals where the top 3 will be selected to proceed to the national finals. 19th to 26th September 2024
National presentations (Final stage): 3 idea stage innovations will get recognition for their outstanding solutions.

 

 

2nd October 2024
Value Proposition to the participants

·         Country level publicity

·         A chance to participate in the Cleantech Innovation  competition

·         3-day virtual boot-camp on pitching and communication training

·         Support to develop pitches

·         A chance to pitch

·         Participation certificates

·         Access to KCIC’s e-learning platform

·         Awards to the top 3 winners (KES 1 Million for best Innovation)

 

 

The following definitions shall apply:

“Applicant” means an individual, group or project that submits their application information in the Kenya Climate Innovation Center application portal for review and possible selection into the Cleantech Innovation Competition.

“Application” means the online entry form completed and submitted for the competition on the Kenya Climate Innovation Center Website.

“Application Window” means the period commencing from 29th July 2024 to 30th August 2024 when Applications can be submitted.

“Competition” refers to the Cleantech Innovation Competition

“Participant/successful applicants” An applicant who is successfully onboarded in the Cleantech Innovation competition

“Climate technologies/Climate Smart Innovations/cleantech solutions” means solutions used to address climate change

“Climate Angle” means how the idea contributes to mitigation or adaptation to climate change, and/or have a positive impact on the natural environment, including biodiversity. This should contribute to social, economic and environmental resilience to climate related disruption and disaster

Applicants’ innovations and enterprises contribute to the following;

Mitigation: reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere or absorption of GHGs from the atmosphere.

Adaptation: seeks to adjust natural and human environments to the likely disruption and damage that will result from the effects of climate change and focuses on measures which increase the resilience of vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture, water supply and infrastructure.

Resilience: have the capacity of social, economic and environmental systems to effectively respond to climate related disruption or disaster. Thus, improving the ability of assets and systems that reduces risk, avoids maladaptation, unlocks development and creates inclusive benefits against the increasing prevalence and severity of climate-related stresses and shocks.

  • Kenya Climate Innovation Center and its competition affiliates reserves the right to cancel or amend all or any part of the Rules without notice. Any changes to the Rules will be posted on the Kenya Climate Innovation Center website. It is the responsibility of Successful Applicants to keep themselves informed as to any changes to the Rules. Kenya Climate Innovation Center shall not be liable for any loss suffered by a Successful Applicant due to any changes to the Rules, including failure to complete some or all tasks under the competition due to such change.
  • If for any reason the competition is not capable of running as planned for reasons including but not limited to tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, force majeure events or any other causes beyond the control of the Kenya Climate Innovation Center and its funding partners which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this program, Kenya Climate Innovation Center reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the competition and disqualify any Successful Applicant.
  • Kenya Climate Innovation Center shall not be liable for any loss arising from modification, suspension, or cancellation of the competition.
●   By applying to the Cleantech Innovation Competition, Applicants consent to have details of their application – other than commercially sensitive information – featured in any media or promotional activity for the competition being carried.

●   Kenya Climate Innovation Center will contact Applicants in advance of any media request for interviews.

●   Kenya Climate Innovation Center will only use the personal details supplied for the administration of this competition, and for no other purpose except with the Applicant’s consent.

 

●        Internet access and adequate English language skills are recommended for the Application process. Candidates with no English reading or speaking skills need to translate the application content at their own cost.

●        This program is governed by the laws of the Republic of Kenya and Applicants submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Kenyan Courts.

●        Applicants are not required to make any purchase or payment to access the website, submit an application or become eligible for the competition

●        Only one Application or project is permitted per Applicant. An Applicant shall not make multiple entries under different names, email identifications, different business Ideas or Entities. Multiple entries by an Applicant or multiple entries for the same Entity shall be a ground for disqualification.

●        Beneficiaries from previous KCIC programs or their Partners shall not reapply for the competition in any subsequent year, even for a different business Idea or name – this constitutes multiple application and is grounds for disqualification, and termination of Alumni status.

●        All submissions must be made directly by the Applicant behind the Idea or Entity entering the program. Entries made online using methods such as a macro, script, using automated devices or processors are not allowed and shall be disqualified.

●        Kenya Climate Innovation Center accepts no responsibility for late, lost, misdirected damaged or delayed Applications because of any network, computer hardware or software failure of any kind.

●        Bulk and third-party entries shall not be permitted.

●        Kenya Climate Innovation Center reserves the right to verify the validity of entries and to disqualify any Applicant for tampering with the entry process or failing to make entries as specified by the Terms and Conditions.

●        No corruption or defect in, failure or delay in the delivery of any email communication from Kenya Climate Innovation Center will entitle an Applicant to an extension of any deadline, or otherwise entitle an Applicant to make any form of claim.

 

By applying for this competition, each Applicant attests that their application:

●        Is true and correct in all material respects.

●        Does not infringe or violate the rights of any third party, including but not limited to, ownership, copyrights, trademarks, patents, logos, licensing rights, rights of publicity or privacy or any other intellectual property rights.

●        Is not contrary to any applicable laws.

 

Kenya Climate Innovation Center shall reject applications which, in the reasonable opinion:

●        Contain any content that is likely to be considered offensive or could negatively reflect the name, reputation, or goodwill of Kenya Climate Innovation Center or affiliated partners associated with the Cleantech Innovation competition and other parties acting on its behalf.

●        Include trademarks, logos, or copyrighted material not owned by the Applicant or used without the right holder’s prior written permission.

●        Defames, misrepresents, or insults any third parties.

●        Poses adverse risks to the environment, human lives, or property

●        Promotes or is sympathetic to any political agenda.

●        Are affiliated to terrorist or other illegal activity.

 

Kenya Climate Innovation Center reserves the right, in its absolute discretion to disqualify any Application or Successful Applicant at any point during the competition, without granting any opportunity for challenge, if it has reasonable grounds to believe that the application:

●        Has been made fraudulently or contains any false or misleading statement.

●        Has breached any of the Eligibility Criteria or other Rules.

●        Has infringed on any intellectual property of any other person.

●        Was made in breach of any applicable law.

Kenya Climate Innovation Center is completely against fraud, bribery, corruption, unethical conduct and abuse of power or authority.

Kenya Climate Innovation Center does not ask for money for applications or proposals. If approached for money or other favors, or if you have any suspicions of attempted fraud, bribery, corruption, unethical conduct and abuse of power or authority please report immediately and provide as much detail as possible with any reports.

Likewise, if any fraud, bribery, corruption, unethical conduct and abuse of power or authority during the call process is discovered, Kenya Climate Innovation Center reserves the right to terminate the cooperation with the individual or project in question.

Report to the Internal Auditor through any of the channels below:

Chief Executive Officer,

Kenya Climate Innovation Center,

P.O Box 49162 – 00100, Nairobi.

Strathmore Business School, Ole Sangale Road, Madaraka.