AHK Romania and BASF announce the extension of the registration process for the competition of innovative solutions for the fields of clean energy, sustainable agriculture and circular economy. The BASF Innovation Hub 2021 competition aims to identify solutions that, directly or indirectly, contribute to the principles of the Green Agenda – clean energy, sustainable agriculture and the circular economy. Thus, the deadline for submitting applications for the BASF Innovation Hub competition is September 30, 2021.
Applications already received include solutions for various uses of biomaterials, ideas for reusing plastic waste, intelligent irrigation systems, etc. The contest takes place in 11 countries in Central and Southern Europe, including Romania.
The main objective of the competition is to identify solutions that contribute, directly or indirectly, to the principles of the Green Agenda – clean energy, sustainable agriculture and circular economy.
“Interest in the whole region is very high. So far, numerous applications have been received from various innovative companies and start-ups in Romania. These include various solutions for the use of biomaterials for specific purposes, ideas for the reuse of plastic waste and for intelligent irrigation systems. It is clear that the Green Agenda is a topic that inspires young people, and they are actively creating valuable solutions for a sustainable planet. This led us to make the decision to extend the deadline for applications and we use this opportunity to invite start-ups, who may not have applied yet, to submit their ideas by September 30 at midnight,” says Andreas Lier, Managing Director of BASF Romania and Bulgaria.
In the local stage of the competition, the jury will choose the best idea from Romania, which will participate in the regional finals BASF Innovation Hub 2021 together with the best solutions from other countries. The winner of the local stage will receive a prize of EUR 2,500 gross, and the best idea from the regional stage will receive a prize of EUR 5,000 gross, cumulative prizes.
“The competition is open to teams of up to five members from innovative companies or start-ups. The only requirement is that the competing idea contributes directly or indirectly to the creation of solutions for clean, sustainable and accessible energy, solutions for sustainable agriculture and solutions that offer the possibility of the transition to the circular economy. The money for the best projects can be used in any way that innovative companies and start-ups consider essential for the development of their idea. The contest will contribute to the media coverage of ideas as well as to the identification of partnerships for the finalization of the product, its testing or the financing of the investment. We are here to support them,” explains Sebastian Metz, Executive Director, AHK Romania, recalling that the lack of financial means and of a partner are the most common reasons why some of the best individual ideas do not materialize.