In 2021, we partnered with BAT’s corporate venture arm, Btomorrow Ventures (BTV) in a bid to discover the brightest early-career business minds around the globe.
With a focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, each team pitched to solve a challenge focused on culture, farming, waste or energy. ESG is a key driver of our transformation journey to build A Better Tomorrow™ and is at the core of our business. So, it was an important task for budding entrepreneurs to see if they could be a perfect fit for us.
2021 stats
Last year we saw more than 2,700 teams enter from 27 countries.
After a total of 31 local rounds, they were whittled down to a final12
with these teams winning a spot at our virtual global finals.
Winning big
Team Ijo, from Indonesia, took gold – impressing the judges with their environmentally-friendly edible straws made from seaweed. The team won a massive £50,000 from BTV to implement the idea.
Taking second place
The three runners up, from Egypt, Kenya and Venezuela, won up to a £25,000 investment each from BTV. All winning teams also landed employment opportunities as global graduates or interns across the BAT enterprise.
What were their ideas?
Team Egypt proposed a company that could make a high-quality gelatine out of marine waste. Team Kenya’s idea was all about putting cigarette butts to use in agricultural practices. And Team Venezuela aimed to reduce energy poverty by harnessing the power of plant photosynthesis.
Enter Battle of Minds 2022
Ready to put your entrepreneurial mind to the test? To partner with a group of ambitious and diverse people? To be in with a chance of learning from global industry experts? Push the boundaries and develop an idea with the potential to impact millions. An idea at the cutting edge. That puts the environment first. With real business value. Get to work.
Register
Register through our website from 12th May and set up your team’s profile. Take a look at our T&C's before you get started. Take a look at our T&C's before you get started.
Prepare
Prepare your pitch that solves one of our four challenges – get more information on how to prepare and submit your pitch after registration.
Submit
Submit your pitch anytime after registering but no later than 30th June 2022.
