FOUNDERS
THE DUTCH POSTCODE LOTTERY
Marieke van Schaik, Managing Director Postcode Lottery
The PICNIC organisation came to the Dutch Postcode Lottery early in 2007 with the idea of jointly hosting a contest for green inventions. Sustainability is an important issue for the Dutch Postcode Lottery, and a similar idea was already floating around its offices. Joining forces with PICNIC also fit in perfectly with a point Bill Clinton had made in a speech on climate change during his visit to the Lottery in the Netherlands in December 2006:
"The fundamental problem is an entrepreneurial, disorganised, undercapitalised opportunity competing against a highly organised, overcapitalised, old-energy economy that has still many, many people in its grip."
"The Dutch Postcode Lottery works for a greener, fairer world by supporting charities in the Netherlands and abroad," Marieke says. "We believe the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge can help to generate the solutions Clinton was talking about. We're convinced that the world has enough creative, entrepreneurial people in it to make that crucial difference that will change the world. We also believe great ideas come from the most unexpected places."
In 2007 and 2008, the Dutch Postcode Lottery donated a total of €1.1 million to three winners to help them turn their ideas into real products.
PICNIC
Nicolette Vink, Festival Director
PICNIC is Europe's leading annual event devoted to creativity and innovation in media, entertainment, technology, art and science. "For three days, PICNIC transforms Amsterdam into a breeding ground for fresh ideas and inspiration," Nicolette says. "Great minds collaborate in a festival atmosphere to help turn today's ideas into tomorrow’s reality. We're delighted with the opportunities the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge is once again providing for innovators." PICNIC'09 will take place 23–25 September at the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam.
The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge
The Dutch Postcode Lottery works for a greener, fairer world by supporting charities in the Netherlands and abroad. In 2008, it donated €244 million to 66 charities, including Amnesty International, Greenpeace and UNICEF. The Lottery also seeks to help tackle climate change in a hands-on-way. That's why it's donating €700,000 in Challenge prize money.
Get involved
We're gearing up to pick the winners of the third Postcode Lottery Green Challenge! Give us your details in the 'Get involved' box at right to receive news updates on the Green Challenge 2010.
2009 finalists
- Sanne Castro:
SimGas - Robin Chase:
Open Road - Dean Gregory: Power Collective Limited
- Michael Mathres: Mootral
- Robert Matthams: Shiply.com
- Hjalmar van Raemdonck: Ephicas SideWing
One bright idea can make a big difference. The entrant with the best idea for a greenhouse-gas-reducing product or service will win €500,000, expert coaching and a starting list of customers! Read all about it »
How to win
Think you're too young to enter this contest? You lack a track record as an inventor? Or your idea's too wacky to fly? Read this »
Find quick answers to the most common questions about the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge in our FAQ. Or send us an email.
"I'm pleased that the Dutch Postcode Lottery has launched the Green Challenge to encourage entrepreneurs to develop new ways to fight one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change." Read more »
Igor Kluin won the first Challenge in 2007. His business, Qurrent, helps people generate their own electricity. "The Green Challenge was a highlight in my professional life," Igor told us in an interview.
