Resolution 2016: Make a New Year’s resolution for a more sustainable planet!

17 December 2015

Professionals, students, researchers and technical experts from around the world are invited to take part in “Resolution 2016” to help create a sustainable planet. During the online challenge, participants dedicate some of their time during the festive end-of year period to a free online crash-course to learn how to develop entrepreneurial climate change solutions — before submitting a video pitch with their business idea in the new year.

The challenge looks for new entrepreneurial ideas to help create more sustainable cities, production and land-use systems. At the end of January 2016, a prize will be awarded in each of the three challenge areas and the online winners will get real-life expert coaching from EU initiatives EIT Digital and Climate-KIC support teams to take their ideas further.

Resolution 2016 draws attention to one of the most urgent topics in the world, climate change, and encourages entrepreneurial talent in digital technology to become the next generation of climate leaders. Participants get the opportunity to become part of the global entrepreneurial community to develop innovative and sustainable business ideas to improve cities, the way things are produced and how land is used.

The challenge is developed by EIT Climate-KIC and EIT Digital – both supported by the EU’s European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) – and is supported by iMinds, Flanders’ digital research & entrepreneurship hub.

Ebrahim Mohamed, Director for Education, Climate-KIC, commented:

“We all know climate change is a global challenge with a high need for new global solutions. The recent COP21 agreement in Paris is a good example of such global collaboration. The Resolution 2016 challenge invites you to make a difference in this world – not alone – but as part of a greater community of businesses, entrepreneurs, students and researchers. Use this unique opportunity to engage with us and learn about what, where and how you can make a real contribution for a more sustainable world.”

Anders Flodström, Director for Education at EIT Digital, commented:

“Digital innovation has a significant role to play in helping us reach global emissions targets and we’re delighted to be working with Climate-KIC on Resolution 2016. This challenge is encouraging anyone with a good idea – from professionals to students and recent graduates to take their good ideas and learn, with a range of support, how to create real and viable business proposals.”

How does the Challenge work?

• Preparatory course: From 15 December 2015 the challenge opens for registrations. Once registered, participants will be able to earn points for completing online learning modules about sustainable cities, sustainable production systems and sustainable land use.

• Challenge: The actual challenge will be posted on 4 January 2016, when the learning materials will be made available. Participants will learn to use their know-how and competences to create a value proposition and business plan. They will also learn how to pitch their business ideas.

• Video pitch: On 15 January 2016 the online courses end and the challenge closes. This is the deadline for uploading the final challenge entry, a two to three minute long video pitch of the business idea.

• Voting: Between 16-20 January 2016 there will be the crowd voting and expert jury-voting to select one winner for each of the three challenge areas – winners will be announced on 28 January.

• Prize: The winners will receive expert coaching from EIT Digital or Climate-KIC support teams, who are expert in assisting start-ups to make their ideas a reality.

To get further information on the challenge and register: http://eit.cross-kic.eu/

This Resolution 2016 challenge is a joint initiative from Climate-KIC and EIT Digital, supported by iMinds.

More about Climate-KIC:
Climate-KIC is the EU’s largest public private partnership addressing climate change through innovation to build a zero carbon economy. Education is at the heart of these themes to inspire and empower the next generation of climate leaders. We run programmes for students, start-ups and innovators across Europe via centres major cities, convening a community of the best people and organisations. Our approach starts with improving the way people live in cities. Our focus on industry creates the products required for a better living environment, and we look to optimise land use to produce the food people need. Climate-KIC is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

For more information visit: www.climate-kic.org
Follow Climate-KIC on Twitter: @ClimateKIC

More about EIT Digital:
EIT Digital invests in strategic areas to accelerate the market uptake of research-based digital technologies and to bring entrepreneurial talent and leadership to Europe. Our innovation and education activities are organised in and around our co-location centres, where students, researchers, engineers, business developers and entrepreneurs come together to drive the digitalisation of society. EIT Digital is a Knowledge and Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Since 2010, EIT Digital has consistently mobilised talent, ideas, technologies, investments and business across Europe and beyond to stimulate disruptive digital innovation. EIT Digital has headquarters in Brussels with co-location centres in Berlin, Eindhoven, Helsinki, London, Paris, Stockholm, Trento, as well as in Budapest and Madrid.

For more information visit: www.eitdigital.eu
Follow EIT Digital on Twitter: @EIT_Digital

More about iMinds:
iMinds is Flanders’ digital research & entrepreneurship hub. We drive digital innovation for society and economy, through strategic and applied research on key digital technologies. Our 900+ academic researchers at 5 Flemish universities join forces with industry and SMEs in cooperative research projects to turn digital know-how into future-proof products and services. iMinds also encourages tech entrepreneurs to bring their smart innovations to life. We help them start and grow their digital businesses in local and global markets.

For more information visit: http://www.iminds.be/en
Follow iMinds on Twitter: @iMinds