Innovate Waste: The Carbon Neutrality Challenge

Are you ready to help the environment & win your share of up to $30,000 in cash prizes? 

For the third year in a row, the City of Flagstaff's Economic Development and Sustainability teams partnered up with Moonshot at NACET's Flagstaff Pioneer Pitch Competition to offer a challenge to our phenomenal Flagstaff entrepreneurs who are committed to the environment and sustainability.

As part of Flagstaff's commitment to climate action and goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, this year's Innovate Waste Challenge includes a Carbon Neutrality challenge.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
For those who participated in the Flagstaff Pioneer Pitch Competition AND your product or service converts waste into marketable products as well as products that reduce and/or remove carbon dioxide, you were automatically entered to win ADDITIONAL cash awards of up to $30,000 awarded on Saturday, May 6th during the Flagstaff Pioneer Pitch Competition finals. 

For more on how to apply, please see below. Applications are ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 21, 2023. 

The final pitch competition and award ceremony will be held on May 6, 2023 at the Flagstaff Pioneer Pitch Competition Finals. 
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS CELEBRATING THE CHALLENGE
​*more events coming soon

• ​September 30th, 2022 - Kick off event - Ingraining Sustainability in Food Economy Operations Virtual Event with Hanna Layton of Thrive Consultancy. Register here or click the button below. 

• November 8th, 2022 at 11 am - WE Mean Business with Amanda Kristinat. Amanda will be sharing about Business Sustainability. NACET - 2201 N Gemini Road, Accelerator Building, Main Conference Room.  
• January 19th, 2023 at Noon - Understanding Intellectual Property Law Basics for a Startup Business: Kahtoola, presented by David Johns of Aspey, Watkins & Diesel, PLLC. NACET - 2201 N Gemini Road, Accelerator Building, Main Conference Room. 
• February 6th, 2023 at 11 am - Restoration Soils presented by Art Babbott & David Hayward. More details coming soon. NACET - 2201 N Gemini Road, Accelerator Building, Main Conference Room.
• May 5 & 6, 2023 - Innovate Waste: The Carbon Neutrality Challenge Pitch Competition Finals & Awards at NACET - Cash prizes total $30,000.

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To apply and compete to win cash prizes, entrepreneurs must have a business pitch idea in the following categories:
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• Community Resilience
• Equitable Systems 
• Decreased Dependence on Cars 
• Electric Mobility 
• Clean Electricity 
• Building Fuel Switching  
• Reduced Building Energy Use
• Sustainable Consumption and Waste Management 
• Carbon Dioxide Removal 

For more information on the City’s Carbon Neutrality Plan visit www.flagstaff.az/climate.

| SCROLL BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY. |

Did you know?

Flagstaff will need to remove approximately 846,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere by 2030. 
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HOW TO APPLY

Please note - this event is for Flagstaff, AZ area residents and businesses only. 
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To apply, candidates must submit an online application. Applicants will need to explain their start-up idea/product/service, what they feel their unique selling proposition is, and why their product is better than what is already on the market.

* Link to send your application to the City of Flagstaff coming soon! *

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2021 WINNERS