Postcode Lottery Green Challenge - 2012 Round Open

The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge is a contest that rewards inventions that successfully combine sustainability, entrepreneurship and creativity. The jury looks for products and services that contribute to an eco-friendly lifestyle, directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and score highly on convenience, quality and design.

The competition aims to elicit promising, creative ideas that will encourage and aid the invention of great new green products and services and combat CO2 emissions and can be put on the market within two years. Since its inception, the programme has helped to reduce more than 10 million kilograms, (10,000 tonnes) of carbon emissions in the UK.

The first prize is for more than £440,000 (€500,000). It will be presented to the entrant with the best idea to execute his or her business plan. A further £175,000 (€200,000) will be available to runners up.

The prizes, together with the assistance from leading professionals, will enable the winners to develop their inventions and present them to the world within the next two years.

Would-be entrepreneurs aged 18 years or older with a well-thought-out idea are invited to participate in the Green Challenge, which is open worldwide.

Each entrant must submit his or her business plan in one of the following five categories:

Energy

Lifestyle

IT

Design

Mobility

The 2012 deadline for receipt of applications is 31 July 2012.