Climate Investment Challenge
Objective
The Climate Investment Challenge invites postgraduate students worldwide to design innovative financing mechanisms or data-driven climate analytics tools that help mobilise capital toward climate-positive outcomes.
Description
Overview
The Climate Investment Challenge (CIC) is a global, student-led competition organised by Imperial College Business School students together with Imperial's Centre for Climate Finance and Investment. It calls on postgraduate students to develop and pitch innovative financial and analytical solutions to real-world climate investment problems.
Eligibility and Teams
- Open to postgraduate students worldwide (MSc, MBA, PhD, or equivalent)
- Teams of 2-6 members; at least one member must be a postgraduate student
- Members can come from the same or different universities
- Solutions must be original ideas developed by the team
Format
- Stage 1: Teams submit a Concept Note using the official template
- Stage 2: Selected semi-finalist teams develop a detailed Business Case Deck/slide pack
- Stage 3: Finalists pitch to a panel of expert judges at a flagship final event in London (hybrid presentation available)
Tracks (2026)
- Innovative Financing Mechanisms: financial structures (funds, bonds, blended finance) that deploy capital at scale for climate solutions
- Climate Data Analytics: tools and risk metrics to support climate-aware investment decisions
Participants gain access to a global network of climate finance experts and industry leaders, mentorship, and visibility for their solutions.
Finals held in London
March 16, 2026
Public
Business School
Finance
innovation
Climateinvestchallenge@gmail.com
Imperial College Business School
Imperial College Business School, Centre for Climate Finance and Investment (CCFI), Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance (CSEP), Imperial College London, General Atlantic, Hitachi, Morgan Stanley
Main Competition Prize: �10,000
Emerging Markets Prize: �6,000
Financial Disruption Prize: �6,000