Decarbonising Cities Pitching Competition

Make your online submission to the challenge via the form at the bottom of this page. Your submission should consist of the following parts:

• start-up name;
• brief description of the problem your start-up solves;
• explanation on how your solution is better than current technologies or practices (;
• pitch deck (non-confidential) which describes the start-up and the proposed solution in more detail and can include a link to a video elevator of your pitch;
• description of what your start-up would do with seed funding;
• description of go-to market strategy;
• TRL level;
• specification of IP or other mechanisms are in place to protect your solution;
• description of customer validation if applicable
• summary of key technical challenges and opportunities;
• company and contact details; and
• information if your start-up is already linked to other incubator, accelerator programmes or academic institutions.
  

Please ensure that your application does not include any confidential information. Any applications received that contain confidential information will be deleted.

The judges will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

• Scalability – If your solution is proven, how scalable is it?
  
• Novel – Is the idea fundamentally different and unproven in this industry?
• Valuable – Could the idea create substantial new value if it works?
• Doable – Is there a plan to prove the concept quickly and affordably?
• Relevant – Is the idea relevant to the future of energy?

In this competition we seek solutions that:

1. allow city stakeholders to effortlessly understand energy usage and waste;
2. empower city stakeholders to minimise waste; and
3. gamify solutions to incentivise city stakeholders to make the best use of renewable sources.

The technology levers which could be potentially used are (but are not limited to):

• data analytics and AI;
• proven deployed principles of ML across industry;
• data technologies which are “quick to scale”;
• simplicity to use and deploy;
• extendibility to other input parameters when valuable for the industry;
• solutions that use technologies boosting automation, uniform governance and user experience; and
• intelligent curation algorithms.

Out of scope:

• proposals on or related to policies and regulations;
• use of restricted access data or data that is not in the public domain;
• commercial data (e.g., price);
• information that cannot be independently verified;
• consultancy projects (we are looking for a technical solution and a partner that can turn the proposal into reality); and
• use of obsolete or niche technologies that cannot be (self-)sustained.

The judging process will take place in two stages, each led by a group of industry experts.

• Judging Stage 1: A select panel of judges will review and score the submissions based on predefined criteria. The judges’ scorecards will be averaged to determine the shortlisted teams. In the event of a tie, the lead judge has the tie-breaking vote. 10 best teams will advance to the next judging stage. The shortlisted start-ups will be invited to private virtual meetings to share more details of their start-up and answer relevant questions.
  
• Judging Stage 2: The top three start-ups, as selected by the judges in Stage 1, will be given an opportunity to present their ideas in a live online pitch to a panel of industry expert judges on stage at the CogX festival. A 5-minute pitch will be followed by a round of quick-fire questions from the judges. The select panel will evaluate and discuss the pitch and select the winner.

The winners will be announced directly following the pitch at the COGX festival in London (June 13-15) and communicated by Shell and COGX. Exact date to be announced soon.

The deadline for submissions is 15th May 2022.

The three shortlisted start-ups will be selected to take part in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitch session, live on stage at the CogX Festival in London, June 13-15, 2022. The start-ups will be invited to pitch their technology or solution to a panel of experts and investors including Shell GameChanger and Shell Ventures . To participate in the pitching competition final, a representative of the start-up will need to be present at the COGX festival in London June 13-15.

Format:
Each start-up will deliver a 5-minute pitch followed by 3 minutes of quick-fire questions from the judges. The judges will then vote for start-ups based on the judging criteria. The winner will be announced directly after judging, following a brief discussion amongst judges in their positions near the stage.

Attendees:
The session is open to all attendees at CogX Festival, with expected attendees including corporate senior executives, city solutions focused start-ups and scale-ups, and (VC) investors.

Yes, you will need to be present at the event in person to pitch your solution.

The Social Impact Programme is a track under Shell Startup Engine, supporting energy-related startups which address global critical socio-economic causes. This programme exists to support and scale business models and technologies that protect the planet for future generations and provide access and benefits to all, supporting people and their communities. The Social Impact programme is delivered in partnership with Microsoft, AVL, and Startupbootcamp. The curriculum helps develop business models that resonate with investors, tests the commercial viability of the business, and strengthens credibility with customers, partners, and investors globally. The focus for the 2022 programme is Mobility and the areas of impact are:

• Reduce Carbon Emissions;
• Zero-waste;
• Vitality Access and Inclusion; and
• Lifetime wellbeing.

Visit the Social Impact Programme website for the details on eligibility for the programme and its offer.

Shell StartUp Engine Golden Ticket which provides access to Shell Startup Engine, Microsoft, AVL and Startupbootcamp networks, live pitches, investor meet-ups and other valuable interactions within these organisations including:

• Access to the key programme events and networks of the Shell StartUp Engine Social Impact Programme run by Shell together with Microsoft, AVL and Startupbootcamp with the potential to be part of the 2022 cohort of the Shell StartUp Engine Social Impact Programme or the Shell StartUp Engine UK programme, if criteria are met;
• Access to Microsoft’s startup networks and resources as part of the social impact programme with the potential to be part of one of their own startup programmes if criteria are met;
  
• Access to AVL’s Creator’s Expedition Startup Programme networks and resources and in addition, potential to be part of the programme if criteria are met;
  
• Direct entry to the final selection days of the Startupbootcamp Decarbonize programme starting in June 2022.

The Creators Expedition focuses on early and growth stage auto tech startups in the following three technology areas:

1. Electric mobility & alternative fuels - Alternative Fuels, Battery Management and Energy Storage
2. Autonomous driving - Self Driving Software, Radar & Sensors, Connected Vehicle
3. Artificial Intelligence - Big Data & Analytics and Data-Driven Business Models

By partnering with the AVL startup program, start-ups gain a key expert in your expedition team, able to support in everything from maturing prototypes to supporting international industrialization ambitions. Translating concept to automotive application – AVL can be your world-class guide to help startups succeed.

During Startupbootcamp Decarbonize programme, selected startups receive hands-on mentorship from over 100 industry experts, seed funding and access to a global network of investors with the ultimate goal of scaling their businesses and becoming industry-leading companies. The program is structured around three pillars of growth: SHAPE, BUILD, & SELL. There is a high focus on business development and proof of value (POV) or proof of concept (POC) projects with MC and NYK Line. Each month Startupbootcamp put emphasis on identifying the needs of each start-up and providing tailored support. By the end of the program, we want your start-up to be in a position to scale globally. 

For questions on the competition, please contact ai@shell.com.