Start Up Energy Transition Award 2027

*Scroll down for application form*

Welcome to the submission page of the Start Up Energy Transition Award 2027. 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 (powered by the German Energy Agency (dena)) 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 10 years, the award has received around 4500 applications from over 100 countries. 

We recognise that engaging diverse voices and communities across the world in delivering impactful solutions is critical in progressing clean, just and inclusive energy transitions. 

Categories:

1. 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:

Generation & Storage Technologies: Hardware Solutions | Clean Energy Generation (Solar PV, Wind Onshore/Offshore, Hydropower) | Green Hydrogen & Applications | Waste to Heat/Energy | Power-to-X | Fusion & Fission (incl. Small Modular Reactors/SMR) | Geothermal | Energy Efficiency | Energy Storage | Next-gen Battery Technology | Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) | Green Ammonia

Infrastructure & Assets: Expansion and Modernisation of Energy Infrastructure | Power Grids (TSO/DSO) and Operation | Grid Flexibility & Balancing | Physical Asset Management | Predictive Maintenance | Circularity

Energy Access & Equity: Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Energy for All | Off-grid Communities | Micro Grids | Renewable Energy Integration | Last Mile Electrification | Decentralised Energy Systems | Energy Communities | Empowerment through Energy Access

2. Digital Energy, Markets & Economy

The energy transition doesn't just need cleaner power — it needs smarter systems to generate, distribute, trade, and protect it. This category is for start-ups building the digital backbone of the new energy economy: software, data, and intelligence that make energy systems more efficient, resilient, and transparent, paired with the market platforms, financing models, and regulatory tools that get technologies deployed faster and at scale. Your solution should show how digital and economic innovation translate into a quicker, safer, and more inclusive energy transition.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

Software, Intelligence & Platforms: Digitalisation in Energy and Storage | Software Solutions | Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Machine Learning (ML) | Virtual Power Plants (VPP) | Smart Grids | Digital Asset Management | Digital Twins | Demand Side Flexibility | DERMS | Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technologies

Security & Enabling Tech: Cybersecurity & Protection of Critical Infrastructure | Space-Energy-Nexus | Energy Efficiency of Data Centers | Data Spaces and Data Sharing | Quantum Technologies | Edge Computing

Market, Regulation & Enablement: Market Platforms for Trading Energy | IT Solutions for Energy Companies | Enabling Fast Rollout of Energy Technologies | Fast and Efficient Permitting | Green Job Creation | Financing the Energy Transition | New Business Models for the Energy Transition

3. 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 of those who inhabit them.

Areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

Heating, Cooling & Building Tech: Heating & Cooling Solutions | District Energy Systems | Heat Supply & District Heating | Building Efficiency | Smart Energy Management Solutions & HEMS | Building Automation Systems (BAS) | Drones

Sustainable & Resilient Built Environment: Urban Energy Transition | Energy Communities & Community Engagement | Affordable Housing | Climate Adaptation & Mitigation | Deep Retrofit & Renovation | Passive / Net-Zero Buildings

Materials & Life Cycle: Life Cycle of Buildings | Circular Solutions | New and Alternative Materials | Bio-based & Low-Carbon Construction Materials (e.g. Mass Timber)

4. Industry & Value Chains

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:

Decarbonisation & Process Technology: Industrial Process Heat Decarbonisation and Electrification | Green Hydrogen for Industry | Waste Heat Utilisation | Carbon Reduction & Accounting | Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) | Direct Air Capture (DAC) | ETS Solutions | Manufacturing | Energy as a Service (EaaS) | Affordable Energy for Industry

Circularity, Materials & Advanced Manufacturing: Efficiency and Circular Solutions | New Chemical Processes | Recycling and Circular Extraction of Critical Raw Materials | Value Chains | Circular and Alternative Materials | Green Steel & Green Cement | Semiconductors, Sensor and Chip Technologies | Robotics | Industrial AI/ML

5. 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:

Vehicle & Fuel Technology: Next-gen Battery Technology | Smart Mobility | Charging Technology | Vehicle-to-X (V2X) | Synthetic Fuels/Biofuels/E-fuels | EVs | Hydrogen Mobility & Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEV) | Circular Solutions in the Automotive Sector

Systems & Logistics: Public Transport & Rail | Affordable Mobility | Micromobility | Cargo & Fleet Management | Energy Efficiency in Logistics | Last Mile Transportation

Heavy & Autonomous Transport: Maritime & Aviation Sector | Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) | Autonomous Vehicles | Drones | Robotics

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 August 2016. 
• The application, including any attached documents, must be entirely in English. Our jury is mainly English speaking. 
• The start-up must be registered or be in the process of becoming registered and the applicant must be able to present a proof of concept and a client, or an industrial/ corporate/ institutional partner or a functioning prototype (TRL 4 or higher). 
• 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 2027: 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 2027 | 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 2027 | Content creation: interviews & articles | Access to exclusive partner events globally
• Winners of each Category: €10 000 Prize money per winner | Opportunity to attend events organised by our partners (occasionally inlcuding speaking opportunities or a free booth at the events) |  Extra visibility and PR

Selection Process & Timeline

• 1 October, 2026 – 30 November, 2026: Application phase 
• Until January 2027: Applications ranked and evaluated; high-level jury evaluations
• Until February 2027: Top 15 finalists announced; SET 100 announced
• 22 March, 2027: final Jury Meeting in Berlin
• 23 March, 2027: SET Tech Festival/ Winners announced 

Partner Program - Free Electrons

Within this year’s application form, applicants have the opportunity to apply for the 10th 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.