EcoVenture Challenge Competition

David Steven Jacoby, Chairman of Boston Strategies International, had the distinct honor of co-judging the 2025 EcoVenture Challenge of the University of Pennsylvania.

The UPenn Ecoventure Challenge is an annual international climate startup competition. It is unlike any other competition—it is a collaborative business pitch with feedback from professional judges and industry experts. As the premier international climate startup challenge, this initiative empowers high school, undergraduate, and master’s students to transform groundbreaking ideas into tangible solutions for the world’s most urgent environmental crises.

Each year, teams of 1-5 work together to create a business climate pitch. Whether that looks like proposing next-generation green technologies, policy-driven initiatives, or community-driven programs, participants innovate and drive forward what’s possible. While physical products are encouraged, projects can take the form of digital platforms/software, advocacy campaigns, or community service organizing—all with the goal of tackling today’s climate crisis.

Through this rigorous, high-impact competition, teams receive expert mentorship, refine their pitches, and present their solutions in front of environmental professors, industry partners, and climate experts. Whether you’re expanding upon a previous startup or coming up with a new idea, participants gain invaluable experience in the art of business pitching, problem-solving, and execution.

The challenge is more than a chance to win a cash prize—it is an opportunity to hone your skills and gain real-world experience. If you are ready to drive real change and are interested in environmental business, the EcoVenture Challenge is your platform to make an impact.