Global sustainability challenge is seeking high-impact climate solutions

The Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge (SOIC) has opened applications for its seventh edition, inviting startups and innovators to co-develop solutions that address urgent sustainability challenges.

Contents

Focus Funding Eligibility Requirements Deadline

The initiative provides a platform where cutting-edge ideas meet real corporate demand, enabling innovators to build practical solutions with industry partners.

Focus

SOIC aims to fast-track technologies that can accelerate the global transition to cleaner, more efficient systems.

The challenge prioritises practical, scalable innovations over early-stage concepts, encouraging solutions that address gaps in clean energy, industrial processes, food production, and material sustainability.

Funding

More than $3 million in pilot funding and programme support is available across participating challenge areas.

This includes a $100,000 contribution from Hexagon Group, aimed at accelerating promising technologies.

Successful applicants gain the opportunity to test, refine, and scale their solutions with corporate partners, while also accessing mentorship, industry networks and real operational environments.

Eligibility

The call is open to a wide range of innovators working on sustainability solutions, including:

Startups in clean energy, agritech, or material innovation
Research or engineering teams with ready-to-test prototypes
SMEs developing environmental or green manufacturing technologies
Technology companies with solutions suitable for commercial pilot deployment

Requirements

Applicants must submit a clear proposal outlining their technology, proof of concept and how their solution addresses the specific challenge statement.

Submissions should demonstrate feasibility, potential impact and readiness for pilot testing. Corporate partners will evaluate entries based on practicality and alignment with their sustainability priorities.