- City of Flagstaff
Are you ready for The Innovate Green Challenge to help the environment & win your share of up to $30,000 in cash prizes?
For the fifth year in a row, the City of Flagstaff’s Economic Development and Sustainability departments have teamed up 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 goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, this year’s Innovate Green Challenge includes Carbon Dioxide Removal and Water Conservation categories.
How does "The Innovate Green Challenge" work?
If you live in Flagstaff, Arizona and your product or service idea converts waste into marketable products OR your products conserve water OR reduce and/or remove carbon dioxide, you’re invited to apply to win up to $30,000 in cash awards. For more on how to apply, please see below. Applications are ACCEPTED UNTIL April 7, 2025. The competition will be held April 11 & 12, 2025 in Flagstaff.
Calendar of Events - Workshops
February 1, 2025 – Applications Open
- Pre-event Top Legal Considerations for Startups Workshop with David Johns – Jan 25th – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm RSVP HERE
- Refine your Elevator Pitch Workshop
- Moonshot Campus – February 25th 11:00 am to 12:00 pm – Register HERE
- Learn an easy three – step method to crafting the best, down-to-earth elevator pitch
- Craft/Revise their pitch
- Practice with others
- Discuss best practices for investment (angel, bank, pitch competition)
- Moonshot Campus – February 25th 11:00 am to 12:00 pm – Register HERE
- Pre-Event Workshop with Local First Arizona-February 27th 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Local First Arizona is hosting an in-person workshop at the Moonshot Accelerator Conference Room to help entrepreneurs in Flagstaff develop a project and pitch for the chance to win! Register HERE
- Pre-Event Sustainability Courses (i.e. Fundamentals of Circular Economy, Supply Chain and Sustainable Materials, Foundational Sustainability Skills & Competencies) – Register by February 28. View and register for courses HERE
- These free courses are being offered through the Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE), an NSF-funded grant to promote a sustainable workforce in the southwest
- Pre-Event Pitch Workshop – Mar 27th – 1:00 to 3:00 pm Moonshot Incubator
- Are you ready to pitch your business or idea for The Innovate Green Challenge? Join Amanda Henry, Coconino SBDC and Creag Znetko, City of Flagstaff Economic Development, for an engaging and interactive Pitch Workshop! This hands-on session includes collaborative pitch development, mock presentations, and personalized feedback to help you polish your delivery with confidence.
- April 7, 2025 – Applications Close
Pitch Competition - April 11th & 12th
- April 11, 2025
- Pitch Feedback and Practice 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Contestants will meet at the Incubator at Moonshot with a panel of Sustainability experts and mentors for feedback on their pitches.
- VIP Reception 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Applicants, mentors and judges are invited to a reception at the Moonshot Accelerator Conference Room.
- Pitch Feedback and Practice 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- April 12, 2025
- Contestants will work with community mentors to refine their pitches and present their final pitches to a panel of sustainability experts and judges.
- Winners will be announced.
How to Apply
This event is for Flagstaff, AZ area residents and businesses only.
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. Applicants must have a business pitch idea in the following categories:
- Community Resilience
- Equitable Systems
- Decreased Dependence on Cars
- Electric Mobility
- Clean Electricity
- Building Electrification/Energy Efficiency
- Wate Prevention/Reduction
- Sustainable Consumption and Waste Management
- Carbon Dioxide Removal
- Water Conservation
For more information on the City’s Carbon Neutrality Plan visit www.flagstaff.az.gov/CNP.
