On a mission to build a sustainable future?
The Net Zero Challenge sponsored by SSE is designed to springboard green entrepreneurs developing sustainable solutions to our planet’s biggest environmental challenges.
What's in it for you?
Together with SSE, we will support the development of your environmental business idea with business networks, training and cash prizes.
Network
Connect, learn, growBy joining our cohort of like-minded innovators, you'll benefit from expert guidance, invaluable connections and peer-to-peer support.
Training
Bespoke business trainingAll successful applicants benefit from bespoke business training delivered by experts with real-world experience of starting and growing global businesses.
£64k
Prize fundWinner: £30,000 in equity-free cash and £16,250 of in-kind business support
Runner-up: £10,000 in equity-free cash and £7,800 of in-kind business support
Plus
Alumni network and supportOnce you've completed our programme, you'll join a thriving and diverse community of Converge alumni spearheading breakthrough businesses.
Who can apply?
This challenge welcomes both product and service-based ideas that contribute to environmental conservation, address climate change and foster a sustainable future including those that support the blue economy and sustainable ocean practices.
Read our full terms and conditionsMembers of staff from all Scottish universities are welcome to apply including early-career researchers, academic and professional staff.
We welcome applications from postgraduate and undergraduate students from all Scottish universities.
Recent graduates (up to 36 months after graduation from the initial application date) from all Scottish universities are eligible to apply.
Team and joint applications are welcome provided one member of the team is a staff member, student or recent graduate from a Scottish university.
Applicants must plan to have their business headquartered in Scotland.
Active participation in all training sessions and events is mandatory for the lead applicant. For key dates, see the 'What's involved' section on this web page.
You must either own or have the right to use and commercially exploit all Intellectual Property Rights related to your business idea.
Applicants need to demonstrate validation of their product/service, early customer engagement, a viable route to market and be ready to start operating within twelve months of our annual Awards in October.
If you do have an existing company, it must be dormant, non-trading or trading for no longer than 24 months with a secured income not higher than £200,000 (including but not limited to grants, investment, loans, revenue, prizes).
Technology readiness levels (TRLs) are a scale used to measure the maturity of a technology during its development. To apply for this challenge, we recommend TRL4-7.
Judging criteria
We are looking for projects that can demonstrate substantial and sustainable impact towards solving some of our planet's biggest environmental challenges.
Innovation
- Intellectual property
- Disruptive potential
- Competitive advantage
Environmental impact
- Potential of measurable environmental impact
- Scalability
Market validation
- Customer engagement
- Viable route to market
- Market fit
Team
- Relevant experience
- Planning for future team
Resource planning
- Understanding of market readiness requirements including funding, expertise and operations
What's involved?
Our challenges are split into four stages over a period of six months. Applications open in January and are evaluated by a panel of university representatives.
If you're successful, we'll give you access to our online, on-demand training modules from 9 May. You'll then be invited to attend a one day, in-person regional training session w/c 26 May followed by intensive business training and pitching in Edinburgh* from 2-5 June.
Having completed your training, you'll have the tools you need to prepare a business plan, financial forecast and 1-minute video pitch - all of which will be assessed by a panel of university representatives.
If you're shortlisted as a finalist, you'll be invited to attend further training on 10 September and to pitch your idea live to a panel of investors and business experts on 19 September. Winners will be announced at our annual Awards ceremony on 2 October.
*Travel expenses for in-person training and events are available. We can also cover overnight accommodation and childcare costs.
- Application deadline
2 April 2025 - In-person regional training
w/c 26 May - In-person training & pitch event
2-5 June - Business Plan submission
31 July - Investment training
10 September - Final pitches
19 September - Awards
2 October
Judging panel
Our Net Zero judging panels are handpicked from across Scotland's business community for their unique experience in energy transition, carbon reduction and success in entrepreneurial ventures. Here's last year's panel to give you a flavour of who will be assessing your business idea.
David Millar
Senior Innovation Fellow Hydro Nation Chair R&I ProgrammeDavid is an environmental scientist, entrepreneur and senior leader with over 18 years' experience in the international energy sector working in start-ups, major service companies and operators.
Through his career David has led and delivered transformational strategies across technical and non-technical disciplines resulting in global change, innovation and new technology deployment with great success.
Up until December 2020 he was responsible for designing and delivering the award winning TechX accelerator at the Net Zero Technology Centre (Formerly OGTC) in Aberdeen.
In December 2021 David joined the Hydro Nation Chair Research and Innovation programme where he leads the development and delivery of a unique technology support programme for exciting start-ups looking to support Scottish Water’s drive beyond Net Zero by 2040.
Josiah Lockhart
CEO ChangeworksChief Executive, Changeworks
Josiah is a well-known social entrepreneur with a proven track record of leading companies through transformative change across various sectors. For nearly two decades, he has been dedicated to supporting high-impact start-ups and scale-ups, helping them balance purpose and profit as they navigate growth, scaling, and investment.
As the Chief Executive of Changeworks, Josiah leads one of the UK’s largest purpose-led companies and social enterprises, overseeing a group of companies with a combined turnover exceeding £100 million with a clear focus of tackling the climate crisis through the decarbonisation of homes. Under his leadership, Changeworks’ teams engage with over 100,000 homeowners annually and facilities the retrofit of more than 13,000 homes each year.
Within his role, Josiah oversees Changeworks' engagement with its subsidiaries and manages the company’s external investment strategy. He was also a founder of the Impact Investment Partnership Scotland.
Dr Sarah Petrie
Director SPIS ConsultingSarah is a senior innovation and strategy advisor, with a track record of success in new venture development, building successful collaborative partnerships and fund raising. She has spent her career providing innovation development and strategic support to new ventures and growth-phase businesses in a number of sectors, most recently in Cleantech. Sarah works with industry, academia and government to commercialise low carbon innovations and accelerate clean growth by helping them to connect, collaborate and innovate.
She has variously acted as Director, business coach, mentor, project manager and most recently was the Innovation Director and Chief Operating Officer for Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc. She is now a consultant to more than 50 start-ups and SMEs.
Rebecca Allison
Chief Operations Officer Net Zero Technology CentreRebecca Allison is an established and committed leader in the energy sector, spearheading efforts to accelerate the transition to net zero. At NZTC, she leads the delivery of critical technology programmes and services that will drive industry's evolution towards a more sustainable future.
With over two decades of experience, Rebecca has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This includes identifying and appraising existing technology readiness, and championing the latest advancements in innovations that are reducing emissions from existing facilities and unlocking the full potential of an integrated energy system.
Gianna Huhn
Corporate Affairs and Strategy at SSE PlcGianna is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the energy sector. As Corporate Affairs and Strategy Lead at SSE plc, she is responsible for developing and implementing effective strategies to navigate complex regulatory environments and drive sustainable growth.
Ready to apply?
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