Enter our annual Pitch for the Planet student innovation competition to get the chance to win a share of £20,000 funding and a coveted spot in our summer accelerator programme to help you develop your idea. 

This years’ competition theme is ‘From Covid Crisis to Net Zero’ and aims to bring together and implement student ideas on how we can achieve our Net Zero Carbon by 2035 goal, alongside other areas of our University of Sussex Sustainability Strategy, in partnership with our local community.

Shortlisted teams will pitch their proposals at our Pitch for the Planet event at the ACCA on Friday 04 March 2022.  

Is there a prize?

Yes! The University is offering up to four prizes from our £20,000 funding pot for the best proposals to maximise sustainability at Sussex in the following areas:

1. Reducing energy consumption;
2. Carbon capture and/or compensation;
3. Reducing water consumption;
4. Sustainable education and/or community engagement;
5. Protecting or enhancing biodiversity; 
6. Sustainable food and/or agriculture; or 
7. Sustainable travel.

The winners of each prize will also be guaranteed a place on the University’s summer accelerator, taking place over four weeks in June 2022.

Taking place in the newly-opened Student Centre and supported by expert partners, the accelerator will provide a platform to launch and grow your venture, offering coaching, specialist advice, mentorship from founders, intern support and further funding opportunities.

So how do I get involved?

If you have an idea that you think has potential, the first step is to submit your entry using the application link below (making sure to stick to the word count!) by 10am on Monday 21 February. 

Click here to find out more about what we’re looking for and submit your entry

Support from the University of Sussex Entrepreneurship team

If you’d like to discuss the viability of your idea, get feedback on your application or understand the next steps in turning your idea into reality, the Entrepreneurship team is available for one-to-one appointments. 

Book an Entrepreneurship Exploration appointment with a member of our team. They can help you with specialist advice on everything from funding and finance to marketing and intellectual property protection as well as explain other opportunities available through the university network.

This prize is sponsored by the Higher Education Innovation Fund.

If you have any further questions about the competition, please contact the University Sustainability Team at sustainable@sussex.ac.uk