Record-high number of submissions to the biggest competition for energy start-ups

Over 100 start-ups have shown interest in participating in PowerUp! by InnoEnergy – the biggest competition in Central Europe for start-ups that is working on solutions in the energy sector. Candidates with an energy-related project, a prototypical device, a dedicated team and the forecast time of marketing of maximum two years, can take part in the competition.

“The variety of submissions to this competition shows, how young companies are responding flexibly to the changes in the energy sector and adjust their projects to the market needs. Many of the candidates focus on saving and reducing costs of energy production and environmental protection. We support development and marketing of companies that aim at creating solutions with global reach,” said Jakub Miler, CEO InnoEnergy Central Europe, organiser of PowerUp!.

Today, the winners of the previous two editions are global companies that have been developing and commercialising their projects quickly with support of InnoEnergy, entering the European market as well as the markets of Asia and the US. The best participants of PowerUp! can hope for an offer of participating in the Highway® programme with access to funds with the value of €150,000 for the support of team building, technology development, creation and verification of a business model as well as commercialisation on global markets, and financial prizes.

“An innovative idea is no longer enough. The energy market is very demanding, and time is what matters in the case of start-ups and entrepreneurs. Potential customers should be contacted as early as possible to find out what their expectations are. The need that a product meets and the value offered by its use is more important than the product itself” was the advice given to beginning start-ups by Mateusz Lisowski, CEO Enetech, a company offering a unique tank used for storage and transport of heat at small distances (up to 30 km), lined with Phase Change Material.

The grand finale will take place in Budapest, while regional finals will be preceded by intense workshops, when the finalists will have the opportunity of working on the details of their offer and improving their presentation skills. Until today, as many as 108 startups from 16 countries have joined the competition. The top companies, similarly to last year’s edition will take part in workshops with such coaches as the cofounder of pracuj.pl, Rafał Szczepanik. This year, start-ups from 23 countries in Central Europe can apply to take part in the event.

PowerUp! is waiting for courageous visionaries, designing new technologies that can generate benefits for their users, manufacturers and energy suppliers on a global scale.

The deadline for submitting projects is 11 September 2017.

To take part in the competition, fill out the form available at www.powerup.innoenergy.com