Companies are eligible for nomination it they...

• are typically no older than ten years
• have developed a scalable solution (product, service or technology) with international growth potential
• have already demonstrated product-market fit and are generating revenue with customers
• are in the growth phase or have created the conditions for this
• achieve a positive environmental impact of potentially global relevance with their solution

Companies are eligible for nomination it they...

• have an established market position
• are profitable and have a solid financing structure
• have transformed key components of their business model towards environmental sustainability, either through sustainable processes or an impact-oriented product portfolio
• already generate a relevant and growing share of their revenue in this way
• are thus playing a pioneering role in their industry

A solution has a positive impact if…

• it contributes to the major ecological challenges of our time (climate change, biodiversity, resource scarcity, circular economy, etc.)
• this impact is measurable, or at least a credible estimate can be made
• this impact is not diminished by rebound effects.

• The social dimension of sustainability is not compromised
• There is a relevant connection to Switzerland (headquarters or central innovation activity based in Switzerland)
• The solution has the power to inspire other entrepreneurs and act as a beacon

The following are excluded from participation: public administrations, NGOs and foundations, as well as sponsorship partners. Legal recourse is excluded.

If you would like to know how Green Business Switzerland evaluates these requirements in detail, you can view the evaluation criteria here.

Unless otherwise noted, the criteria apply equally to both categories.

The nomination partners will nominate around 60 innovative solutions from across Switzerland in the categories of SccaleUp and SME/corporates.

The nominated companies complete the necessary application documents online.

An interdisciplinary panel of experts selects three finalists per category from all the entries.

The finalists present themselves with a pitch to the main jury. The jury determines the winner of each category.

The finalists of the SME/Corporate-category present their solutions at the Maillot Vert summer event. Afterwards, the winner chosen by the jury is announced and officially awarded.

Maillot Vert was jointly launched by Green Business Switzerland and LINDEN 3L AG to promote cross-industry networking and strengthen the connection between the Green Business Award winners and jury, as well as other committed business leaders.

The three finalists of the ScaleUp-category present their solutions at Impact Gstaad’s most important Impact Circle event. Afterwards, the winner chosen by the jury is announced and officially awarded.

Impact Gstaad supports innovative companies in their scaling phase. The initiative boasts an exclusive Impact Circle comprising financially robust investors who are willing to invest in sustainable companies and/or help them to scale up internationally.

Upon request, an Investors Roundtable curated by Impact Gstaad will take place after the award ceremony in favour of the winner.