Every year, BK-Launch recognises the most promising young entrepreneurs working on innovative ideas for the built environment. The BK-Launch Entrepreneurship Awards offer financial support to help them turn those ideas into reality.
The award ceremony takes place on the evening of 19 November 2026 at the Faculty of Architecture & the Built Environment, TU Delft. The event is open to the public - registration details will follow.
Applications open on 1 June 2026 and close on 13 September 2026 at 23:59.
For ventures before their first revenues
The At-Launch award is aimed at individuals or teams with a strong, feasible and innovative proposal for the built environment. At this stage, the venture does not need to have generated any revenues or received external funding. In fact, this award is designed to be exactly that: your first source of funding. Applicants should have moved beyond the concept stage and be able to demonstrate concrete steps taken towards developing their idea.
Assessment criteria: innovativeness, societal impact, feasibility, proposal quality.
For ventures ready to scale
The Post-Launch award is for existing businesses that have already generated revenues and are looking to take the next step. Applicants should have a functioning business model and be able to demonstrate how they intend to scale. The award is intended to support that growth.
Assessment criteria: proof of concept, existing business model, innovativeness, societal impact, feasibility, proposal quality.
For ventures looking to build and test a sustainable prototype
In partnership with The Green Village, this award offers more than financial support alone. The total value of €20.000 is made up of €5.000 in cash for materials, and €15,000 in-kind support. This includes the opportunity to install a small-scale test setup at The Green Village, under the professional coaching and guidance of a The Green Village project manager throughout the testing phase.
The Green Village is a field lab exempted from standard regulations, with residents who provide direct user feedback. During the testing process, the extensive network of The Green Village is actively engaged to assess the feasibility of the innovation and help bring it to the next level.
Ventures can apply for this award via the same application form as the At-Launch and Post-Launch categories. The Green Village Award is assessed separately, based purely on the quality of the test plan.
Assessment criteria: innovative and sustainable prototype for the built environment, within one of the following themes: Sustainable building and renovation, Future energy systems, or Climate-adaptive cities.
The Green Village Award winner is selected by The Green Village.
Applications can be submitted from 1 June until 13 September 2026 at 23:59 using the application form that we will share very soon. Your application should include a clear project plan, a realistic timeline and a corresponding financial plan.
Depending on the stage of your venture, you apply for the relevant award. It is possible to apply for both the Green Village Award and the At-Launch or Post-Launch award. It is not possible to apply for both the At-Launch and Post-Launch award. Each venture can win in one category only.
All applications are reviewed independently by at least three reviewers. Based on those assessments, the most promising ventures will be selected per category to pitch at the award ceremony on 19 November. The jury panel will then select one winner per category.
To be eligible, your venture must:
Read the full Terms & Conditions
Do you have any general questions regarding BK-Launch and the awards? Or are you ready to submit your application? Reach out to bk-launch@tudelft.nl
Are you unsure about your eligibility for one of the categories? Do you have questions regarding the application process? Or do you want to know more about the event? Please reach out to Bas Plaisier via b.c.plaisier@tudelft.nl
