Team Cassetex from Bangladesh wins global climate competition 

A team from Bangladesh has won global climate competition ClimateLaunchpad 2020 showcasing a solar-powered battery swapping service for electric 3-wheelers

Team Casstex comprising Gopal Kumar Mohoto, Tauseef Anwar and Ahmad won this accolade this year's competition which took place online by beating more than than 3,000 entrepreneurs from 56 countries from September 30 to October 2.  

The Cassetex team hopes to transition more than one million vehicles and save 0.47 megaton of CO2 per year. Co-Founder and CTO of Cassetex Gopal Kumar Mohoto said, "Being amongst the top start-ups in the world is a tremendous recognition for Cassetex and Bangladesh. The transport sector is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and one of the toughest sectors to bring change to. We are humbled by this award, and we hope it will help us solve the critical challenges in the transport sector in Bangladesh."

Team Sosei, from Uruguay and Carbon Craft Design from India won respectively second and third position. The first one provided tailored solutions to help farmers and agricultural companies ease into regenerative agriculture while optimising profits and minimising risks and the later one is building architectural and interior products by upcycling carbon emissions.

In an opening video broadcasted on Thursday, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said "The climate crisis was the defining task of our generation, and that there was no time for short term fixes. Investing in green growth pays back and will help to build back better."

A total of 972 entrepreneurs completed a self-paced online learning curriculum this year, while 780 start-ups participated in a full training programme globally. Winning teams of National and Regional Finals were invited to compete in the Global Grand

Final, resulting in 68 teams pitching in front of expert jury panels this week.

Celebrating outstanding climate innovators, ClimateLaunchpad winners were chosen by an international jury that looked at the business potential of the finalists' idea as well as the social impact, job creation, climate impact and the quality of their pitch.

They were categorised in eight main themes: Resilient Regions, Climate-Friendly Food, Healthy Clean Cities, Circular Economies, Clean Energy Systems, Sustainable Mobility, Cleantech, and The Next Big Thing. The top 16 teams selected by the jury to perform in the Final Round of the Global Grand Final will get direct access to the EIT Climate-KIC Accelerator programme for climate positive start-ups.