The Gap in Between Startup Challenge 2024

Social Nest Foundation launches the second edition of The Gap in Between Startup Challenge, an initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship with social and environmental impact. This competition seeks to become a leading platform for the most innovative startups to present solutions that address the main challenges of our society.

About the Challenge

The top 20 startups from around the world will be selected to pitch on one of the stages at The Gap in Between. The event will take place in Valencia on October 8th, 2024. The global winner will receive a prize of 10,000 euros, and five finalists will be recognized for their projects within the following event’s themes: Safe, accessible, and nutritious food systems; Social inclusion and equity beyond business; Smart cities and energy transition; From a linear to a circular business strategy; and Shifting the financial system for the common good.

What type of startups is the challenge targeted at?

The Challenge is aimed at impact startups, which are defined as those whose main purpose is to solve a social or environmental problem or situation, also generating a business with sustainability and potential economic and financial growth. Additionally, to be eligible, the startups’ projects must fit within one of the event's themes and the startups must operate and provide a market solution in any of the following impact areas: Biodiversity conservation; Circular economy; Climate change; Education and training for work; Forest repopulation; Green buildings; Green mobility; Inclusive and sustainable tourism; Nutrition & Food Tech; Protect land and water; Renewable energy; SaaS for impact; Silver Economy; Social inclusion; Sustainable agriculture; Sustainable construction; Sustainable fashion; Sustainable fishing; Sustainable infrastructure; Universal access to health and well-being; and Water.

Application Process

Interested startups can apply until July 14th, 2024 (inclusive) through the following link. It is recommended to review the challenge's legal terms and conditions for more detailed information on the challenge website.

Winners of the 2023 Edition

The first edition of The Gap in Between Startup Challenge took place in October 2023. On that occasion, the global award went to Bcome, a pioneering startup in the application of intelligent methodologies for managing global sustainability, with over 1 million tracked, measured, and evaluated products in the market.

The Climate Action award was given to the startup Cocircular, creator of a circular waste management service to prevent construction and other sector wastes from ending up in landfills. The Social Inclusion award was won by Naria, a blockchain-based technology platform aimed at improving the management and distribution of social and food aid. The startup Ailin received the Technology with Purpose award, offering a service that combines science and medical expertise to prevent diseases and extend life. Finally, the startup Nat4bio won the Sustainable Food Systems award thanks to their comprehensive synthetic solution for improving food preservation without resorting to chemical and polluting products.

About The Gap in Between

The Gap in Between (Valencia-Spain, October 8th, 2024) is an international event hosted by Social Nest Foundation that aims to connect innovation, business and impact, as a means of contributing to solve the most pressing social and environmental challenges. The Summit is an annual meeting connecting key global stakeholders to share their initiatives, fostering connections and catalyzing collaboration for common social and environmental challenges.