Over the coming decades, the world will need much more energy to meet the growing demand required to ensure quality of life for people across the world. But this is only one part of the story. We need to produce all that energy while emitting much less CO2. This is the challenge we must meet as a society.
Collaboration between start-ups, (energy) companies and (local) government can fast-track the development and introduction of cleaner fuels for transport, bolster the generation of cleaner power and integrate digital technologies that can help us reduce our carbon footprints. It will help pave the way to more economically, environmentally and socially acceptable energy options, along with more efficient delivery systems.
The New Energy Challenge is open to young entrepreneurs in Europe and Israel who are developing advanced technologies and disruptive solutions that could be vital to meeting future energy needs. The focus is on start-ups and scale-ups that offer innovative, low-carbon energy solutions related to the future of mobility, energy management, energy storage, hydrogen and the retail station of the future.
The 2019 edition of the New Energy Challenge has two distinct tracks for companies that could contribute to a lower-carbon energy system – and have a strong scalable potential:
- Track One offers early-stage start-ups an intensive programme designed by YES!Delft for finalists to validate their business plans and exchange ideas with coaches and experts. The winning finalist receives at least €100,000 towards a proof of concept within the Shell GameChanger programme, giving them a quick and cost-effective way to test the technical and commercial viability of their solution.
- Track Two is all about the retail station of the future. The track offers the opportunity to design a pilot, as well as the opportunity to engage with experts from Rockstart. The winner will further develop the pilot together with Shell’s Retail business, ultimately launching it at a Shell retail site!
The deadline for application was 24 May 2019 and submissions are now closed. Finalists will be invited to join the Finals Week in October in the Netherlands. At the Finals Day event, finalists will make their final pitch before a jury of experts who will select the winners of the New Energy Challenge 2019.
