The Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyle Accelerator 2024

Do you want to make lifestyles more sustainable in Asia and the Pacific? Entrepreneurs, citizens, community leaders, activists, chefs, scientists and students - we invite you to apply for the Asia Pacific Low Carbon Lifestyles Challenge!  

The LowCarbon Earth Accelerator program runs for 12 weeks and offers a range of digital workshops, valuable resources, and mentorship opportunities. Throughout the program, selected founders receive strategic mentorship by the United Nations professionals and Marquee investors, leadership coaching at every growth stage, and connections to experts in climate tech and sustainability across the Asia Pacific region.Low Carbon Earth Accelerator 2024, launched by UNEP with Massive Earth Foundation supports start-ups that make sustainable goods and services more readily available.

Eligibility:

• Applicants should be 40 years of age or less; and
• Citizens of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, People's Republic of China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kiribati, Lao, People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor- Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Cook Islands, Niue.  

Judging criteria 

• Sustainable? Startups reduce the waste and/or carbon footprint of goods and services in one or more of the following fields: low carbon mobility, waste prevention, energy efficiency.
• Articulated clearly? Startups must have a clear question or problem they will address plus a reasonably specific solution.
• Realistic balance between aspiration and attainability? Startups should be able to generate results within 12 months, with a quick start element for the first 3 months. 
• Led by a mission driven founder? Are startups led by someone with the passion, skills, expertise and network to feasibly execute the concept?
• Impact Business Model? A viable, sustainable business model should be positioned in a defined market.
• Measurable? Can the project develop baseline data and measure impact? Eg. energy, material use, kilometers.
• Sustainable beyond the grant period? The startup concept should indicate how it will have lasting impact beyond the implementation period. 
• Scalable and replicable? Is this an idea that could be expanded on a large scale or replicated in another sector or country?

What can you win?

We want to support entrepreneurs with innovative solutions that make our lifestyles more sustainable.  How do we do that? 

• Grants: $10,000 to give you a little more runway.  All entrepreneurs can use a little more cash – whether that helps you invest in prototyping, build up your marketing, keep your staff on board, or stock up on inventory to prepare for demand.  
• Bootcamp: Meet your cohort and delve into topics that can help you scale. This year’s topics?  Getting investment ready, digital marketing, sustainability.  
• Video production: Grab attention online with a professional video that tells your story.
• Carbon footprinting: Can you quantify how sustainable your product is?  Our science partners will data crunch with you.
• Partnerships: Industry mentors to help you develop your business strategy, network, and provide technical know-how. You will be invited to a demo day to pitch to investors, and a policy dialogue to share your experiences as an entrepreneur with policymakers.