Hello Environmental Change Makers!

I am pleased to announce that the application for the 2025 Environmental Innovation Challenge is open! By starting now you will have plenty of time to ask questions and perfect your entry in advance of the deadline on February 10.

The annual Environmental Innovation Challenge is an exciting extracurricular experience that gives students the opportunity to come up with meaningful solutions to big problems the world faces related to climate and the environment. The competition is open to undergrad and graduate students at accredited colleges and universities across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia.

We have a variety of resources and events available to help student teams prepare their EIC application:

Info Sessions

• Virtual | Thursday, January 16, 12:30 – 1:15 pm
  Register for Zoom link: https://washington.startuptree.co/event/s/3vowPGSqqTPJTr88Z2z3Js/Info-Session%253A-Environmental-Innovation-Challenge
• Virtual | Friday, January 24, 12 – 12:45 pm
  Register for Zoom link: https://washington.startuptree.co/event/s/VHkTTA4NWLoLzASHi5teUV/Info-Session%253A-Environmental-Innovation-Challenge
• In-Person| Tuesday, February 4, 11 am – 12:00 pm (stay for Team Tuesday directly after!)
  Register: https://washington.startuptree.co/event/s/SNfFrXtJ9iUTSgWBNtd7ww/Info-Session%253A-Environmental-Innovation-Challenge

Find inspiration for an EIC idea:

• Climate + Sustainability Idea Jam

Wednesday, January 22 at 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Form a Team, Find a Team

• AttendStartup Squad Builder, Friday, January 17 at 2 pm – 3:30 pm
• Attend Team Building and Networking Night, Tuesday, January 21 at 7 pm – 8:30 pm
  Join us for the largest team building and networking event of the year directly following the Science and Technology Showcase!
• Connect with potential team members or find a team to join by attending our weekly Team Tuesday lunch meetups. Past EIC entries will be available to view during these in-person events.
• Check this EIC “Form a Team” pagefor students looking for team members and/or teams to join

Submit EIC Application

• Deadline Monday, February 10, by 12 noon PT
  Application: https://platform.younoodle.com/competition/2025_environmental_innovation_challenge

Competition Resources HUB

• Learn about Past Participants and Prize Winners

View the EIC “yearbook” page all the way back to 2018 for full lists of participating teams and a snapshot of what they were working on. Read about the winning projects from the 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 Challenges on our blog.

• Office Hours with Lauren

Unclear about the logistics of the competition or the eligibility of your idea? Schedule time during my office hours to get your questions answered!

• Buerk Center Resource Lab

The Buerk Center has vetted countless startup resources and pulled out what we consider to be the best materials to help you achieve your startup goals.

Get started on your EIC application today!

Lauren

Lauren Brohawn (she/her)

Associate Director, Environmental Innovation Challenge