The Climate Impact Innovations Challenge (CIIC) returns for its fourth edition with a boosted prize pool of Rp15 billion (US$885,000) – up by Rp5 billion (US$$295,000).
Presented by East Ventures, a pioneering and leading sector-agnostic venture capital firm that has supported over 300 tech companies across Southeast Asia, Temasek Foundation, a Singapore-based philanthropic organisation that supports sustainable development initiatives in Asia, and the addition of Tencent as a new presenting partner, a global technology leader recognised for developing innovative products and services that connect people and empower industries worldwide, CIIC continues to strengthen its position as Indonesia’s largest climate tech innovations competition.
This year, CIIC 2026 is committed to offering a special award of pre-purchase carbon credits worth up to US$1 million to the selected finalists, supporting the development and deployment of impactful climate solutions. These solutions aim to address pressing ecological challenges and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
“We are honoured to once again present CIIC 2026, which reflects our strong belief that technology and entrepreneurship are powerful drivers of climate solutions. Over the years, CIIC has become a platform that empowers innovators to transform bold ideas into scalable solutions addressing Indonesia’s most pressing environmental challenges. By bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem partners, we aim to accelerate the development and adoption of climate technologies that can create meaningful and lasting impacts,” said Avina Sugiarto, Partner at East Ventures.
“The Climate Impact Innovations Challenge has, over the years, grown in a powerful and catalytic platform driving real-world sustainability innovations in Indonesia and across Asia. This year, we are scaling our ambition with a larger prize pool and stronger support to accelerate this journey. Temasek Foundation is proud to partner East Ventures once again and to welcome Tencent on board – together, we aim to help more innovators turn bold ideas into meaningful impact for People and the Planet,“ said Heng Li Lang, Head, Climate & Liveability, Temasek Foundation.
“At Tencent, we are committed to driving lasting, positive change by using technology as a force for good. We are proud to collaborate with East Ventures and Temasek Foundation on CIIC 2026 to advance climate innovation and scale high-potential solutions across markets. Together, we aim to nurture a more resilient and forward-looking climate innovation ecosystem benefiting communities. We look forward to empowering the next generation of innovators through the partnerships this platform will forge,” said Dr Xu Hao, Vice President of Sustainable Social Value, Tencent.
This year, CIIC 2026 focuses on three tracks, which include:
- Energy Transition: Innovative solutions that promote renewable energy adoption, sustainable mobility systems, and efficient resource use. The goal is to enable inclusive, cost-effective energy transitions that benefit communities and industries.
- Food & Nature Solutions: Innovative nature-based solutions that promote across terrestrial and blue carbon ecosystems that conserve, restore, or improve ecosystems, including climate-resilient agriculture that advances sustainable food systems. The goal is to enable inclusive strategies that ensure food security and restore ecological balance.
- Circular Economy: Innovative solutions that promote both waste and water circularity and help adapt to climate-related disasters. The goal is to prevent and manage pollution, improve community health, enhance resilience to climate change impacts, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The competition spans from April to October 2026, with the key timeline and activities listed below:
- Application period (April - June 2026)
- Announcement of finalists (August 2026)
- Mentorship (August 2026)
- Grand Finale (September/October 2026)
Since its inauguration in March 2023, CIIC has already shown a clear impact in advancing innovation and accelerating the deployment of sustainable solutions in Indonesia.
The initiative has brought together senior mentors, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders from leading corporations such as PLN, Sinarmas, and Triputra Agro Persada to help strengthen the climate tech ecosystem. Moreover, with its catalytic support, past winners have gone on to achieve meaningful milestones in technology, commercialisation, and global validation.
Among them, BANIQL has emerged as a strong example of downstream impact. The company has developed a proprietary technology to produce nickel intermediates for battery applications from ore, with the potential to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of nickel production.
Supported by CIIC, BANIQL subsequently secured additional grant funding from the South Korean Government to support global commercialisation of its nickel product. Its progress has also been recognised internationally through its selection into the Creative Destruction Lab Minerals 2024-2025 cohort and its status as a WIPO Global Awards 2025 finalist. Notably, BANIQL’s technology has demonstrated up to 95 per cent lower energy use and 80 per cent lower water consumption compared to conventional nickel production methods.
Qarbotech is another strong example of CIIC’s impact in supporting scalable climate solutions for agriculture. The company is focused on improving agricultural productivity through a photosynthesis enhancer for agriculture, demonstrating yield improvement of up to 30 per cent. Their solution has been validated by third parties across more than 40 crop types and 8,000 acres of commercial farmland. Qarbotech was also selected as a 2025 Breakthrough Energy Fellow, becoming the first Malaysian company to join the program.
Across several editions, CIIC has received more than 1,300 applications from over 60 countries.
For further information and application, interested parties can visit the CIIC website at climateimpactinnovations.com.
About Climate Impact Innovations Challenge
Climate Impact Innovations Challenge (CIIC) is Indonesia’s largest climate innovations tech competition, initiated by East Ventures and Temasek Foundation, and newly joined partner, Tencent, for the fourth edition of the CIIC.
Debuted in 2023, CIIC provides a platform for technology innovators to showcase their sustainable innovations in addressing ecological challenges and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
CIIC 2026 focuses on three tracks: Energy Transition, Food & Nature Solutions, and Circular Economy, with a total prize pool of Rp15 billion to pilot their solutions in Indonesia. This year, Tencent has also joined as a new presenting partner, with a commitment to pre-purchase carbon credits from selected finalists.
Only teams that have created a pilot to create a minimum viable product with the intention of commercialisation are eligible to apply.
About East Ventures
East Ventures is a pioneering and leading sector-agnostic venture capital firm. Founded in 2009, East Ventures has transformed into a holistic platform that provides multi-stage investments, from Seed to Growth stage investments, for over 300 tech companies across Southeast Asia.
As an early believer in the startup ecosystem in Indonesia and the most active investor in Southeast Asia, East Ventures is an early backer of prominent tech companies in the region, such as Tokopedia, Traveloka, Ruangguru, ShopBack, waresix, Xendit, IDN, Sociolla, Fore Coffee (IDX: FORE), Tech in Asia (acquired by SPH), Kudo (acquired by Grab), Loket (acquired by Gojek), and MokaPOS (acquired by Gojek).
East Ventures was named the most consistent top-performing VC fund globally by Preqin and the most active investor in SEA and Indonesia by various media. Moreover, East Ventures is Indonesia’s first venture capital firm to sign the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI), supported by the United Nations (UN). East Ventures is committed to achieving sustainable development and positively impacting society through its initiatives and ESG-embedded practices.
About Temasek Foundation
Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programs that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and Asia. Temasek Foundation’s programs are made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Temasek, as well as gifts and other contributions from other donors. These programs strive to deliver positive outcomes for individuals and communities now, and for generations to come. Collectively, Temasek Foundation’s programs strengthen social resilience; foster international exchange and catalyse regional capabilities; advance science; and protect the planet.
About Tencent
Tencent is a world-leading internet and technology company that develops innovative products and services to improve the quality of life of people around the world. Our communication and social services connect more than one billion people around the world, helping them to keep in touch with friends and family, access transportation, pay for daily necessities, and even be entertained. Our financial technology business covers payment, credit, wealth management and insurance sectors, as we support our partners’ business growth and assist with their digital upgrade through FinTech and other enterprise services. We also publish some of the world’s most popular video games and other high-quality digital content, enriching interactive entertainment experiences for people around the globe. Tencent was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 1998, and has been listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 2004.
For more information, please contact:
Pheseline Felim
Head of Corporate Communications, East Ventures
Chermaine Tong
Global Communications, Tencent
E: chertong@global.tencent.com
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