Three Irish cleantech companies have made it to the European final of a major global business competition that promotes ideas and innovations to tackle climate change. The shortlisted firms, all start-ups, could win major cash prizes and a place on a business accelerator programme to realise their idea. ClimateLaunchpad, Europe’s largest business ideas competition, has been set up to specifically develop innovations that address sustainability and climate change. The Irish companies were selected from a national shortlist of 15. They will be up against 90 rivals at the prestigious event in Tallinn, Estonia, on October 7 and 8. The three Irish finalists are: Small Farms - operating in the area of edible insects, including crickets, which can be farmed or grown at home to eat as an alternative protein source; Senergy - a maker of solar panels which cost 50 per cent less to produce because they are made from plastic and polymer materials; and, SmartTrace Software - building a big data platform that will support the intelligent use of waste materials. Poor material management contributes to over 42 per cent of world pollution. The European ClimateLaunchpad final is a showcase for the cream of Europe’s cleantech talent and helps them grow their sustainable ideas into global businesses. The three Irish start-ups will pitch their idea and business plans before an international jury. The jury will award the top-three winners of the European competition funding of €10,000, €5,000 and €2,500 euro and the best 10 will take part in the Climate-KIC 18-month accelerator programme. Eight teams participated in the Irish ClimateLaunchpad competition. They pitched a string of diverse ideas around energy production and efficiencies, waste reduction and water management as well as more sustainable food production. Announcing the finalists, Sustainable Nation Ireland, the not-for-profit body helping Ireland to transition to a low-carbon economy, said sustainability should be viewed as a business opportunity - an €85 trillion business opportunity. “Ireland is becoming a disruptor in the global market place, providing solutions that improve climate resilience," said Sustainable Nation's entrepreneur in residence Ron Immink. “Companies, and in particular start-ups, require support to build capacity and ClimateLaunchpad provides that with a programme designed to nurture business ideas that have a positive climate impact.” The participants undertook a demanding programme to work on their business idea: a two-day boot camp, intensive business coaching and national finals. The finalists have been chosen based on criteria including feasibility, scalability, job creation and climate impact. “The facts are clear, climate change is happening and we must use best efforts to mitigate and adapt. We’re delighted to have such a strong team of companies represent Ireland at what is now becoming the Olympics of climate innovation. ClimateLaunchpad is the cornerstone of support that we can provide to cleantech companies in Ireland,” said Aideen O’Hora, director of sustainable innovation with Sustainable Nation Ireland. “I sleep better knowing how many great teams are working on technologies and businesses that tackle climate change. There are great ideas out there, many of them from people with little business
 experience. This is why ClimateLaunchpad is so important. We provide innovators with the coaching to make their great ideas profitable
 businesses. And in just three years we're seeing successful companies
 emerge,” said Frans Nauta, the founder of ClimateLaunchpad.