ASN Bank World Award seeks smart ideas

A dream, brilliant idea or concrete business plan? Starting entrepreneurs, with a smart idea for a better world, can sign up for the competition for sustainable start-ups in the Netherlands as of this week. The ASN Bank World Award gives green thinkers the opportunity to further their sustainable idea and distributes € 55,000 to a maximum of four winners. Both entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs are encouraged to participate.

The eleven previous editions of the ASN Bank World Award marked the breakthrough of well-known companies such as Fairphone, Yoni and Seepje. Their place in the final gave these Dutch gamechangers a flying start. "We see entrepreneurs like this - who think outside the box and dare to take a big step forward - as the ideal pioneers for a sustainable future. With the ASN Bank World Award, we want to kick-start their idea, take it to the next stage and together stimulate the sustainable progress of society," says Arie Koornneef, director of ASN Bank. 

Participation contributes to 

In a challenging programme, thirty nominated participants receive training and coaching in areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing and finance. In the run-up to the final, participation will generate publicity and brand awareness. Laurens van Dort, who shakes up the job market with his sustainable paint brand fairf (winner of the ASN Bank World Award 2018) says: "Participating in the project has brought me a great deal. I was forced to take a critical look at my ideas. In doing so, I was prepared for questions from potential investors about, for example, the feasibility of my idea and sustainability.

From registration to final

A professional jury - including Ynzo van Zanten of Tony's Chocolonely, Jasper Gabrielse of Seepje and Faiza Oulahsen of Greenpeace - will examine the submitted ideas during various selection moments. The focus is on innovation, sustainability and creativity. Six entrepreneurs will eventually go through to the grand finale on 13 November in Pakhuis de Zwijger. They have a chance of winning a cash prize of between € 10,000 and € 25,000 and a public prize of € 5,000, preceded by a voting round.

www.voordewereldvanmorgen.nl/wereldprijs