The award package

Award package

The winners of the No Waste Challenge will be selected by an international jury of leading experts in design, climate action and social entrepreneurship. Next to a prize fund of €10.000 each, the centerpiece of the award package is the development programme designed to support the winning teams in further strengthening and scaling up their projects. 

PUBLICITY ON THE WORLD STAGE

Each winner will get the chance to present their projects to a global audience during one of WDCD’s annual events on design and innovation. Besides gaining access to our extensive network of change-makers, winning teams will also receive valuable press coverage and media exposure through WDCD’s channels and those of our partners.

What can you win?

  • €10,000 in funding

  • A DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME CO-CREATED WITH IMPACT HUB

  • PUBLICITY VIA ALL WDCD PLATFORMS & PARTNERS

WHAT PREVIOUS WINNERS SAY

 

“The prize fund allowed us to set up our manufacturing process.”

— Tarun & Varun Jami, Agrocrete, winners Clean Energy Challenge 2018

 

“Our funding strategy, revenue model, story and strategic plan are all sharper as a result of this formidable programme.”

— Rajeev Goyal, Vertical University, winner Climate Action Challenge 2017

 

“WDCD gave us confidence and exposure. To win an international contest was very important, we even ended up on the frontpage of an important Mexican Newspaper. WDCD gave us the boost that we needed at that moment.”


— Lisseth Cordero, Ecolana, winner Clean Energy Challenge 2018

 

The Development programme

THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

We’re thrilled to announce that WDCD has teamed up with Impact Hub Amsterdam to design the No Waste Challenge global development programme. WDCD and Impact Hub share the same mission: to create a circular economy, by designing out waste and reducing CO2 emissions. As part of the global Impact Hub network — with more than 16,000 members in over 100 cities  — Impact Hub also brings more than a decade of experience in helping creative entrepreneurs to start, grow and scale their business.

By combining research and design (WDCD) with training and entrepreneurship (Impact Hub), our programme will provide unique support for the thinkers, doers and makers of the new economy.

 

WHAT CAN WINNERS EXPECT?

The No Waste Challenge development programme covers a six-month period, starting with a one-week bootcamp and ending with a pitch at a global or local WDCD event. This programme focuses on enhancing entrepreneurial skills, networking, presentation and communication as well as opening doors to further development and funding.

 

THE BOOTCAMP

The WDCD bootcamp is the perfect kick-off event, allowing participants to get to know each other before we dive into the  programme developed by Impact Hub. Winners can expect a range of mentoring sessions on the skills they need to make their projects a success — from building a supply chain, to team-building and organization, finding potential clients and creating impact. In addition to the group sessions, each team will also receive 1:1 support to cater to their individual needs and personal ambitions.

 

The Business Model Challenge

After the bootcamp, each team can count on continued guidance from both local and international experts. This means you’ll receive regular (online) training and advice in matters of design, business and networking, communication skills and knowledge.

 

In the first three months, the development programme will focus on providing masterclasses on business diagnostics, marketing, sales & pricing, prototyping, and intellectual property & law. In the following three months, there will be monthly check-ins to discuss progress and support winners in their activities to find and confirm partners for prototyping or pilots. As their projects continue to grow and take shape, winners will receive a  ½ day coaching session with a Bootcamp trainer, as well as pitch training.

After the development programme 

Often, development programmes stop after the final pitch. We like to do things a little differently. 

For another six months after completing the Business Model Challenge, we will continue to support the winners in their activities. During this time, winners will have access to an online Impact Hub membership, masterclasses and pro bono support. Finally, to give them the exposure they deserve, winning projects will receive continued publicity and media attention through WDCD platforms and partners, bringing them closer to potential collaborators on both a global and local level.