Start Up Energy Transition Award 2025

*Scroll down for application form*

Welcome to the submission page of the Start Up Energy Transition Award 2025. We kindly ask you to take the time to read through everything thoroughly, and in case you have any further questions or could not submit your application on time, please write to: deborah.bartel@dena.de

The Start Up Energy Transition Award is an international competition for start-ups and young companies worldwide who are working on ideas regarding the global energy transition and climate change. In the last eight years, the award has received more than 3,500 applications from over 100 countries. 

SET is powered by the German Energy Agency (dena), in cooperation with the World Energy Council. The World Energy Council's Humanising Energy vision recognises that engaging diverse voices and communities across the world in delivering impactful solutions is critical in progressing clean, just and inclusive energy transitions. In recognition of the importance of the Humanising Energy approach and philosophy it is being incorporated into the SET awards assessment criteria for 2025. 

We are also very much looking foward to applicants with space-based solutions. 

Categories:

• CLEAN ENERGY & STORAGE

The generation, storage, and distribution of clean energy is not just a technical challenge—it’s a human one. This category seeks start-ups addressing the decarbonization of energy-intensive sectors through renewable energy generation, advanced storage technologies, and sustainable distribution methods. Your solution should demonstrate technical innovation with the potential for real-world impact, helping communities and industries transition to a net-zero future.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: Clean Energy Generation | Energy Storage | Grid Operation & Demand Side Flexibility | Power Grids (TSO/DSO) | Smart Grids | Hydrogen & Applications | Bio & Alternative Fuels | Waste to Heat/ Energy | Power-to-X | Market Platforms for Trading Energy | Digitalisation in the Energy Sector | Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Machine Learning (ML) | Critical Raw Materials | Circular Economy

• MOBILITY & TRANSPORTATION

As one of the largest consumers of global energy, transportation is ripe for disruption. This category is for start-ups reimagining how we move people and goods, with solutions that cut emissions and improve energy efficiency. We’re looking for technologies that not only drive the sector towards a low-carbon future but also redefine mobility in a way that benefits both people and the planet.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: Smart Mobility | Charging Technology | Vehicle-to-X (V2X) | Synthetic Fuels/ Biofuels/ E-fuels | Public Transport | Cargo & Fleet Management | Energy Efficiency in Logistics | Last Mile Transportation | Maritime & Aviation Sector | Autonomous Vehicles |Drones and Robotics | Critical Raw Materials | Circular Economy

• INDUSTRY

The industry sector, responsible for one-third of global emissions and 38% of energy use, faces decarbonization challenges due to complex materials, bureaucratic hurdles, and high costs. Innovation is critical to making industrial processes cleaner and more sustainable, benefiting both the planet and the people who rely on them. This category seeks start-ups developing breakthrough technologies that overcome these obstacles, helping industries transition to more efficient, low-carbon operations with the potential for large-scale adoption.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: Industrial Process Heat Decarbonisation and Electrification | Green Hydrogen for Industry | Increasing Efficiency | Waste Heat Utilisation | Carbon Reduction &Accounting | Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) | Direct Air Capture (DAC) | Manufacturing | New Chemical Processes | Critical Raw Materials | Supply Chains | Circular Economy

• BUILDINGS & CONSTRUCTION

Buildings consume 30% of global energy, from construction materials to the energy used for heating and cooling. This category seeks start-ups developing innovations that reduce energy waste and transform how we construct and maintain our buildings. Your innovation should enable energy-efficient buildings that contribute to a sustainable future, minimizing environmental impact while improving the well-being for those who inhabit them.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: Heating & Cooling Solutions | New Materials | Urban Energy Transition | Energy Communities | District Energy Systems | Heat Supply & District Heating | Building Efficiency | Smart Energy Management Solutions | Life Cycle of Buildings | Critical Raw Materials | Supply Chains | Circular Economy

• QUALITY ENERGY ACCESS & SDG-7

Achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy is central to the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG-7). This category seeks start-ups empowering vulnerable communities with innovative solutions that make energy services accessible, resilient, and sustainable. We’re looking for technologies and business models that bridge the energy gap, particularly for those most affected by climate change, fostering inclusion and sustainability in the global energy transition.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Energy for All | Off-grid Communities | Micro Grids | Expansion and Modernisation of Infrastructure | Energy Storage Solutions | Renewable Energy Integration | Decentralised Energy Systems | Humanising the Energy Transition | Empowerment through Energy 

Participation Guidelines

• Applicants may only apply to one category. All subsequent applications to other categories will be disqualified.
• The start-up must not have been founded longer than ten years ago. In other words, the date of foundation cannot exceed 2014.
• The application, including any attached documents, must be in English.
• The start-up must be able to present a functioning prototype. In addition, the company must be registered or be in the process of becoming registered and the applicant must be able to present a proof of concept or a client, and/or an industrial/ corporate/ institutional partner.
• The applicant must fill out the entire form. Partially completed applications will not be accepted.

Benefits & Prizes 

No matter how far you go into the SET process, there is always a value-added for your start-up. Many of our start-ups have gone on to gain new investors, mentors and customers, received invitations to energy events around the world and won even more awards and recognition for their inspiring work.

• For the #SET100 2025: Feature in our annual SET100 list publication, which is circulated to investors, corporates, and political stakeholders across the globe | Free tickets to the SET Tech Festival 2025 | Free tickets to the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) 2025 | Content creation | Access to exclusive partner events globally
• For all 15 Finalists: Feature in our annual SET100 list publication, which is circulated to investors, corporates, and political stakeholders across the globe | Free tickets to the SET Tech Festival 2025 | Free tickets to the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) 2025 | Content creation: interviews & articles | Access to exclusive partner events globally
• Winners of each Category: €10 000 Prize money per winner | €5000 for non-winning SGD-7 Finalists | Profile of start-up celebrated across the World Energy Council’s global energy network in 99 countries | Opportunity to attend events organised by World Energy Council |  Extra visibility and PR | Speaking slot at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2025

Selection Process & Timeline

• 09 September, 2024 – 29 October, 2024: Application phase 
• December 2024: Applications ranked and evaluated; high-level jury evaluations
• March 2025: Top 15 finalists announced; SET 100 announced
• 17 March, 2025: final Jury Meeting in Berlin
• 18 March, 2025: SET Tech Festival/ Winners announced 
• 19 March, 2025: Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue Day 2

Partner Program - Free Electrons

Within this year’s application form, applicants have the opportunity to apply for the 9th edition of the Free Electrons program. 

Free Electrons is a global innovation program, where some of the largest energy utilities and start-ups from around the globe work together to deliver pioneering solutions and co-create the future of energy. The program focuses on working to pilot projects, commercially deploy products, and facilitate investment opportunities, learning and development. Learn more about the Free Electrons program here and discover how you can disrupt the market with your solution.

Terms and Conditions

Download the official conditions and legal terms for taking part in the competition here.