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The Hague Innovators for a better world

The Hague Innovators Challenge

Are you The Hague Innovator of 2024?
Join the tenth edition of The Hague Challenge and win €15.000!

The world is becoming more complex and societal issues are increasing globally. At the same time, issues such as safety, energy, climate, and food have a significant impact on the lives of people living in cities.

With the ‘The Hague Innovators’ challenge, the municipality of The Hague challenges startups, scale-ups, and students to present their innovative ideas for global issues, as described in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Do you have an innovative idea for a better world? Then sign up for this year’s challenge powered by ImpactCity The Hague and present your creative vision to a selected jury of partners like Rabobank, DOEN Participations, Unknown Group, and UNIIQ.

“The Hague Innovator Award was a source of publicity and financial support for us. It was an experience we look back on with great pleasure!“

Luc Hogervorst, Weco, winner of The Hague Innovators Challenge 2022

What does this challenge contain?

Out of all entries, the jury selects eight to ten nominees for The Hague Innovators Challenge. All nominees receive guidance over the course of four weeks on their way to the finals which will take place during ImpactFest. Nominees will get three training sessions and receive introductions to relevant partners of the ImpactCity network. We will help you with startup support if needed. Everything to help you pitch your solution at the leading impact event, ImpactFest 2024!

What can you win?

  • Best Innovator prize €15.000
  • Incentive prize €5.000
  • Audience prize €2.500

What else can you expect?

  • A pitch training so you can present your business well to potential investors and clients;
  • A one-to-one coaching session with a reputable partner to help you move forward;
  • Visibility in the media and within the ImpactCity network;
  • Video shoot with your company and the other nominees;
  • A stage for your company during ImpactFest that attracts relevant investors, partners and (international) entrepreneurs;
  • Direct contact with valuable contacts from the ImpactCity network;
  • In short: a unique opportunity to put your company in the spotlight and increase your impact.

“Winning the The Hague Innovators award just gave us that push in the right direction”

Anne Dijkstra – Sta van Uiter, Co-Founder Feelou and winner of The Hague Innovators Challenge 2023

Participation conditions

  • Your company has existed for a maximum of six years;
  • Your innovative ideas tackle a global issue described in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Your company has a Chamber of Commerce number with the location in The Hague or the intention to move to The Hague. Not based in The Hague yet? Then we need a declaration of intent.
  • Participation in the training is mandatory. You can find important dates below.

Important dates

  • August 19: Registrations closed
  • September 23: Announcement of nominees
  • September/October (exact date T.B.A.): Video shoot for nominees
  • October 10: Startup Support XL
  • October 21: Pitch training for nominees
  • November 7: Finale at ImpactFest

Trainings and events are hosted in person in The Hague and physical presence is required for The Hague Innovator challenge nominees.

Previous winners

Feelou

The maternity bra that feels good for 9+ months.

Wattrogen

Revolutionizing wind energy in urban & metropolitan areas.

GreenAnt

Propelling climate action through satellite data and AI.

Weco – The Wave Collective

Develops solutions to generate electricity using waves in the ocean.

BeeSage

Data-driven urban beekeeping for increased productivity and sustainability.

Seepje

Natural detergents and polishes made with the skin of the Sapindus mukorossi fruit.

North Sea Farmers

Supports and accelerates the development of a sustainable and nature-inclusive seaweed sector.

Naïf Care

Bath and shower products with natural ingredients that support the youngest skin.

Circularise

Leading blockchain platform that provides digital product passports for end-to-end traceability and secure data exchange for industrial supply chains

Registrations are closed.