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What is the Wilkes Climate Launch Prize?


The Wilkes Climate Launch Prize highlights top global ideas for combating climate change. Each year, by elevating and honoring innovative climate solutions, this University of Utah prize aims to accelerate worldwide progress and encourage technological advances. Our goal is to develop effective climate change solutions quickly for the benefit of people and ecosystems worldwide.

Process & Review Timeline:


  • Phase I: First round submissions Due February 28, 2025.
  • Phase II: Finalists submit second-round application by May 13th. Pitch in-person at the Wilkes Climate Summit at the University of Utah, May 15, 2025.
  • Award: Announced in September 2025.

2025 Prize Finalists


 

Semi-Finalists


 

Where This Year's Prize Submissions Came From


Who is Eligible to Apply?


Organizations at all stages, both for-profits and nonprofits, anywhere in the world are eligible to submit ideas to be considered for the Wilkes Climate Launch Prize. This includes seed, pre-seed, venture-funded, publicly traded stage companies, or nonprofits.

 

Launch Prize Updates

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2025 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize Selection Committee


The Wilkes Climate Launch Prize submissions will be reviewed and considered by some of the sharpest minds in the scientific and sustainability fields today. The top prize will be awarded to the idea with the most scalable impact, the most feasible concept, and the solution most likely to benefit communities, economies, or ecosystems.  All judges serve in their personal capacity as experts in the field and do not represent their institutions in this role.

Fielding Norton
Fielding Norton
Climate Scientist & Educator, Re/insurance Executive, Venture Investor/Advisor
Craig Moore
Craig Moore
Entrepreneur
Elaine Hungenberg
Elaine Hungenberg
Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Impact, XPRIZE
Éliane Ubalijoro
Éliane Ubalijoro
Chief Executive Officer, Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF)
Tina Fawcett
Tina Fawcett
Associate Professor, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
Christopher Lowell
Christopher Lowell
Brian O’Hearne
Brian O’Hearne
CEO, Hailios

Donate to the Prize


You can support transformative innovation for accomplishing solutions to climate change.

Donations to the Wilkes Center Climate Prize will go toward the prize for innovation and solutions to global climate change.

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