University of Leeds' Nexus and Priestley Centre for Climate Futures join up for ClimateLaunchpad green business ideas competition
University of Leeds institutions will help to turn “brilliant science into viable businesses” which tackle the climate emergency as part of a major international ideas competition promoting a pipeline of green entrepreneurship.
Nexus, the university’s innovation community, and the campus’ Priestley Centre for Climate Futures have joined forces as the UK partners for ClimateLaunchpad.
The programme is a core part of the entrepreneurship wing of Climate KIC, which describes itself as Europe’s “leading climate innovation agency”.
Offering what it calls the world's largest green business ideas competition, the 2026 search for the next wave of climate innovators is now open for entries.
Chelsea Boothroyd, Deputy Director for Innovation at Priestley Centre for Climate Futures: “The climate emergency is the defining challenge of our time, and addressing it requires us to mobilise our creativity and innovation at an unprecedented scale and speed. We do not have a second chance to get this right.
“At the Priestley Centre, we have played a leading role in advancing research, generating knowledge and tools, and supporting policy and education. We have now expanded our scope by contributing to connect the climate innovation ecosystem, helping turn brilliant ideas into real-world solutions that can deliver meaningful impact in the transition to a sustainable future.”
The partnership brings together climate specialists, innovators, businesses and policymakers to tackle real-world climate challenges.
Nexus and the Priestley Centre will help UK entrepreneurs turn climate innovations into successful start-ups by connecting them with university research, specialist facilities and expert talent across areas including climate risk, adaptation, mitigation, and ‘just transitions’.
ClimateLaunchpad has been operating for 12 years, is active in 51 countries and, since its inception, the competition has delivered 540 boot camps, spawned more than 5,500 start-ups and helped alumni raise more than €500 million in funding.
Previous UK success stories include Fibe, which creates sustainable textile fibres from potato stems and harvest waste. Fibe has since raised $1.3 million in funding, supported by Patagonia's Tin Shed Ventures.
Sofia Abid, Programme Director at ClimateLaunchpad, adds: "Partnering with Nexus and the Priestley Centre connects the UK’s world-class research to the world’s largest pipeline for green innovation. We act as enablers, turning brilliant science into viable businesses. UK founders consistently raise the bar, recently reaching our Global Grand Final with marine science and sustainable aviation fuel breakthroughs. We are here to help more bold solutions succeed."
The programme offers a structured pathway for early-stage innovators, from initial idea testing to global pitching opportunities, including online courses, intensive boot camps, personalised coaching and access to a "worldwide network” of mentors and partners, say organisers.
Mark Mildren, Head of Innovation Programmes and Partnerships at Nexus, says: “Yorkshire has a real opportunity to lead on climate innovation, and this partnership puts us at the heart of it.”
UK entrepreneurs can apply for the 2026 edition until Friday, May 15, 2026 at climatelaunchpad.org. National and regional finals take place in late August to early September and the Global Grand Final is scheduled for October 14 in Singapore.