Handels Impact Innovation Challenge

Are you ready to make a difference?

The Handels Impact Innovation Challenge gives you the opportunity to transform sustainable ideas into impact.

In collaboration with the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, GADDEN, HHGS, Venture Cup Sweden, and proudly founded by Ernströmgruppen, this is more than just a competition—it's your opportunity to create innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

What’s the Challenge?

We invite students and one year alumni from the School of Business, Economics and Law to develop business ideas or sustainability projects that align with the ESG framework—Environmental, Social, and Governance. Whether you're aiming to start a company or run a campus-wide initiative, your idea should balance profit with purpose, driving positive environmental and social change through responsible innovation. Ideas can range from long-term ventures to short-term, high-impact sustainability projects implemented locally—at the university, in the city, or online.

The ESG Dimensions

Your idea should align with one of the pillars of the ESG framework. For example, you can use these questions as a starting point:

Environmental How does your solution reduce environmental impact or support climate adaptation?

Social How does it contribute to equity, health, rights, or improved working conditions?

Governance How will you ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible implementation?

In addition to business ideas, we also welcome proposals for time-bound sustainability projects – for example, initiatives that could be implemented at the university, in the city, or online. These projects should have a sustainability focus and a defined scope, demonstrating how targeted efforts can create a measurable impact within a specific timeframe.

Key Dates

Competition Opens: 13th of June
Application Deadline: Ocotber 3rd
Pitch Day & Winner announcement: October 29 at the Innovation Expo
Winner Celebration: October 30 at the Gala Banquet
Feedback Session: 30th of September To receive feedback, make sure to register your submission before the guaranteed feedback deadline.

How to Compete

Step 1 Prepare Your Idea You may apply alone or in a team of maximum 4, but the majority of team members must be students from the School of Business, Economics and Law.
Step 2 Submit Your Application Fill out the competition form and answer the following questions:

Summary/Background: What is your business or project idea? What’s your vision and how do you plan to achieve it? What local sustainability challenge does it address? Include the name of your project.

Market Analysis: Who is your target audience? Who are your competitors and potential collaborators? What trends support your idea?

Product or Service: Describe your product/service in detail. What’s your development strategy?

You may update your submission at any time before the deadline.