Submit your pitch to the Youth Climate Pitch Competition
Calling all innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students 📣
Do you have an idea for a solution that can contribute to advancing clean energy? If so, we want to hear from you!
Tribe Network and the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3) are looking for racialized youth in Nova Scotia between the ages of 16 and 30 to submit their pitch for a chance to win up to $10K!
Submissions can include: audio tracks, short videos, and more (see below for specific requirements) — so get creative! We can’t wait to hear from you.
Applications due by: April 2, 2024
The Youth Climate Pitch Competition aims to showcase ideas and projects that advance clean energy solutions and reduce the energy we use to work, move, and play.
Build connections as you network with industry experts, and gain new skills via coaching and 1-1 support.
Additional Challenge Details
We welcome pitches in any format—from videos, audio tracks, to artwork, storybooks, poems, short films, and more—show us your creativity! Just make sure that your pitch can be viewed or read within 1-3 minutes (no more, no less) and that it addresses one of these three areas of focus (click on each to learn more):
Pitches will be accepted from individuals and groups, up to a maximum of 4 people per team. Five finalists will be selected from two age categories (16-18 and 19-30), and teams will be notified the week of April 1st. You will then have access to a roster of coaches to help you refine your idea. Finalists will present their final pitches in front of a panel of experts, investors, and industry leaders on Thursday, May 9th.
The full challenge timeline can be found below.
Prizes:
Prizes will be awarded per category to support in further development and innovation of the proposed solution.
- Category 1: Students Grade 10-12 (ages 16-18) $5,000
- Category 2: Students, Individuals and Young Professionals (ages 19-30) $10,000
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals between the ages of 16-30 [Category 1: students (ages 16-18); Category 2: students, Individuals and young professionals (ages 19-30)]
- Racialized youth in NS (those who are Black, Indigenous, non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour)
- Submissions must include:
- 1-3 minute pitch
- A brief bio on team member(si
Full Challenge Timeline
Here’s what participants can expect over the course of the next 12 weeks:
- February 19 – April 2: Call for applicants
- March 19: Educational networking event
- April 2 – April 4: Judge’s review – selection of 5 finalists per category
- April 5 – May 8: Finalist teams work with coaches and mentors
- May 9: Final pitch event/celebration
Frequently Asked Questions
Totally! We will connect you with additional resources, like mentors and coaches, as you move forward, but if you have an idea you want to run with on your own, you’re more than welcome to.
Judges will evaluate participants according to the following criteria:
- Innovation and Creativity: How unique and innovative is the solution?
- Feasibility and Technical Viability: Is the idea technically feasible and scalable?
- Impact and Sustainability: What is the potential positive impact on the environment and society?
- Market Potential: Is there a clear market need and potential for adoption?
- Presentation Skills: How effectively is the idea communicated?
The competition focuses on three clean energy topics, which we have prepared learning briefs on to give you additional context:
- Renewable energy generation. View learning brief
- Energy efficiency. View learning brief
- Clean transportation. View learning brief
After the applications deadline (April 2nd), the applications will be reviewed according to the judging criteria. All participants will be notified the week of April 1st as to whether or not they are moving forward.
Then it’s pitch time! On May 9th, you will share your idea with the community at the final pitch event/celebration. Both the judging and announcement of winners will happen on this day.
If you still have questions, you can reach out to hi@tribenetwork.ca.
Youth Climate Pitch Competition powered by
Best of luck to all applicants!
And a special thank you to our sponsors for helping to make this event possible:
