BUSINESS NEWS

Sustainable start-ups competition launches to inspire innovation around Champions League final in London

Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

Posted: Fri 29th Sep 2023

Football body UEFA has partnered with other large organisations to launch a competition for sustainability-focused start-ups linked to the Champions League final taking place in London on 1 June 2024.

Alongside the Greater London Authority, PepsiCo, Mastercard and Just Eat Takeway.com, UEFA is asking start-ups to focus on the challenge of how fans can actively be involved in enhancing the event's social and environmental impact.

The selected start-ups will be mentored during the testing phase, and If successful, the projects will be used as part of the organisation around the UEFA Champions League final.

The overall winning pilot project will win €45,000 (£39,000).

The three competitions as part of Champions Innovate are as follows:

PepsiCo: How can fans actively contribute to a substantial part of the production of the power needed for the UEFA Champions League Final kick-off show and establish a sustainable model for power generation at future events at football stadiums?
Just Eat Takeaway.com: How to bring choice, joy and innovation to the food served around the UEFA Champions League Final (London, fan zone, the stadium) and beyond whilst also supporting fans to choose more healthy and sustainable options.
Mastercard: How can we harness the power, passion and reach of football fans to create tangible, effective solutions for communities within the scope of fintech and digital fan engagement?

Applications are open until 20 October 2023 for the challenge relating to PepsiCo, and until 4 December 2023 for the challenges specific to Mastercard and Just Eat Takeaway.com.

Find more details here.

Relevant Enterprise Nation resources

Enterprise Nation's Plan it with Purpose sustainability advice hub

Webinar: Understanding the basics of small business sustainability

Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

I'm a freelance journalist and event host who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's news reporter and Bristol Local Leader. I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's news reporter and as the host of the Small Business sessions podcast. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

Relevant Enterprise Nation resources

Get business support right to your inbox