How to Enter the Ideas Competition

Step 1 - Get Started by Building the Story of Your Idea
To register for the competition, go to the Entry Page of this website or click on the Entry Here button to the left.
Your entry will need to provide information on the following:

1. What is the opportunity? This is your elevator pitch.
   A concise description of your venture opportunity, including what you are doing, what is the over-arching energy or environmental problem you are addressing, and why it is an exciting investment prospect? This paragraph should make a compelling statement to prospective investors to understand the issue or problem, and why your solution justifies investment. 

2. What is the market? Who, specifically, are your customers, or prospective customers? What is the pain that your technology addresses (quantitative and qualitative)? What size is the addressable market? Who is your competition? What regulatory trends impact this market?3

3. Describe your cleantech solution [product or service]. Describe exactly what it is you are going to do or sell and how it fits into the overall market supply and demand chain. Include basic description of features. What is the Competitive Advantage? What is your IP position?

4. Business Model. How will you create, deliver and capture customer value? Describe your actual or proposed supply chain and distribution channels. What are your existing or proposed revenue sources - advertising, direct sales, leasing, licensing, subscription?

5. Sustainability. How will your cleantech solution create environmental benefits for your customers?  In the development, production distribution, and disposal of your solution, how will your company optimize energy, environmental, human and natural resource choices, use and reuse in the business model that results in long term improvements in business profitability, environment and society?

Here's an example for a company that makes eco-friendly ceiling tiles out of recycled materials.

"My idea is for a new building material that uses recycled content to create a state of the art acoustical ceiling tile. In order to meet carbon emission standards, builders need new, low-emitting materials for both new buildings and those that are being refurbished or remodelled. This new product will help building contractors increase their use of utilize recycled materials in any building, while delivering an attractive, sound-absorbing ceiling tile that has no harmful emissions. The market for this product is through existing building distribution channels and is cost competitive with existing ceiling products. It is made from recycled materials, has a long life, and is fully recyclable. There are no companies currently manufacturing this type of material in the US."

To be competitive, your entry will need to provide the judging panel with evidence that you have thought through the practicalities of how you turn the idea into reality including how it can be developed, how it can be commercialised and how it can access its markets. To be able to make a real difference, the idea has to have practical applications that are achievable and the entry should aim to convince the judges of this fact.

Step 2 - Submit Your Idea on this website before 26 June

Step 3 – Wait to hear whether you have been shortlisted as a Semi-Finalist.

At the beginning of July, the judging panel will create a short list of companies that will be invited to participate in the Cleantech Business Accelerator prgram

Step 4 - Participate in the Cleantech Business Accelerator Program

Each Semi-Finalists will be assigned an indiviudal mentor to help them assess and develop their business plan. The mentor will meet with the company and discuss where the gaps in the plan are and options for how these can be filled.

Semi-Finalists will be required to attend the intensive Mentoring Workshop in Melbourne on 30/31 July (TBC). This will include keynote speakers and up to ten specific workshops on all aspects of a successful business plan. There will also be opprotunities to network with fellow Semi-Finalists and other mentors and presenters.

Following the workshop, the Semi-Finalists will work with their mentor to develop their final Business Plan Submission. This will be a concise plan of 10-12 pages and will cover all aspects of the plan to drive growth in the business.

Step 5 - Submit Concise Business Plan Submission by 23 August

Semi-Finalists will then submit their Concise Buisness Plan submissions before 23 August.

Step 6 - Finalists

In early September, up to six companies will be announced as Finalists for the Competition.

Finalists will have professional pitch videos prepared and all be invited to join the Australian delegation attending the Global Cleantech Open finals in California in November.

Step 7 - Investment Showcase and Gala Dinner, 4 October (TBC)

In early October, an Investment Showcase and Gala Dinner will be held. This will include opportunities for all Semi-Finalists to present their businesses to investors and partners.

The Gala Dinner will feature presentations from each of the Finalists and the Australian Winner will be announced.

Step 8 – Global Cleantech Open Finals, California, 13-14 November 2012

The Winner and all of the Finalists will be invited to join the Australian Delegation at the Global Finals

The Australian Winner will represent Australia in these awards and will have its costs to attend covered.

All attendees will have an unparalleled opportunity to meet with US and global investors and partners.