Palo Alto, Calif. – September 10, 2026 -- SparkLabs Group and SparkLabs True Zero opened applications for the True Zero Global Prize, a $75,000 startup competition targeting climate, energy and planetary-health innovation ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
First-place winner to receive $50,000, runner-up $25,000
The grant-funded prize will award $50,000 to the top startup and $25,000 to the second-place finisher, with winners announced November 15 during COP31, which runs November 9-20 in Antalya. Applications opened September 1, 2026, close September 28, and finalists will present to judges on October 5 before the announcement.
Actor Tyrese Gibson and entrepreneur Kevin Chou co-chair the contest
Tyrese Gibson, known for roles in the Fast & Furious and Transformers franchises and six Grammy Award nominations, will co-chair the prize alongside serial entrepreneur Kevin Chou. Chou previously co-founded and led Kabam, a mobile gaming company acquired by Netmarble for $800 million, and now runs a nonprofit focused on expanding household access to plug-in solar power in the United States.
34-member judging panel spans climate, AI, finance and policy sectors
A global panel of 34 judges covering climate and energy, artificial intelligence, agriculture, finance, law, media and venture capital will select finalists. Priority sectors for applicants include carbon reduction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage and transportation, with eligibility open to startups and nonprofits worldwide.
Prize precedes SparkLabs True Zero accelerator launch in Türkiye
Taha Saran, Founding Partner at SparkLabs True Zero, said the competition marks the first step toward launching the accelerator in Türkiye, timed to follow COP31 in Antalya. SparkLabs True Zero is a joint initiative between Net Zero TEKMER, a sustainability-focused innovation hub in Ankara, and SparkLabs Group, a global startup accelerator network.