The winners received entry into the StartupNZ Entrepreneurs Programme, as well as various prizes which included cash to go towards idea development and implementation, two-months office space, Victoria University Entrepreneurship Kit, Mevo car share credit, and an Outward Bound Scholarship.
One of the judges was Wellington City Councillor Laurie Foon, formerly the Wellington Manager for the Sustainable Business Network. She says the passion, drive, and innovation seen in participants and their ideas was an inspiration.
“It’s important that we recognise many of Wellington’s climate solutions come from innovation programmes such as Climathon!
“We must continue to harness the passion and desire of our innovators, as it has always been my dream that Wellington is recognised globally for being a hub of successful climate solutions initiatives.
“Congratulations to all of the winners – I can’t wait to see their products and services flourishing,” Councillor Foon says.
Climathon Organisers Bobby Lloyd and Emily Dwyer say they are excited to see where the winners take their “game-changing ideas”.
They say the success of the event was down to its wonderful volunteers and main sponsors – Wellington City Council, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and Ministry for the Environment.
Wellington City Councillor and Climate Change Portfolio Lead Tamatha Paul, who gave the opening speech at the Climathon event, says the creative solutions that came out of the challenge will contribute to achieving Wellington’s Te Atakura – First to Zero goal – to reduce emissions produced in the city to net zero by 2050.