EPIC PITCH BATTLE FOR ENERGY TECH STARTUPS

Get in front of leading industry VCs to increase brand awareness, secure funding and make connections that convert into partnerships.

400+

Challengers

7

Tracks

70

Finalists

1

Winner

Accelerate your business with Energy Tech Challengers

Energy Tech Challengers is a platform that spotlights startups and visionary entrepreneurs at the forefront of the energy sector. This annual competition brings together the most innovative minds to pitch new technologies and solutions that will redefine the future of energy. 

Challengers benefit from unparalleled exposure to industry leaders, investors, and potential collaborators, making it a prime opportunity to accelerate growth and drive impactful change. 

Each year, the event culminates in a grand finale where startups present their groundbreaking solutions to a panel of esteemed judges, competing for recognition, investment, and the chance to make a significant mark on the energy landscape.

Green Energy Infrastructure
GREEN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Green Molecules
GREEN MOLECULES
Scaling Computing
SCALING COMPUTING
AI Applications
AI APPLICATIONS
Climate Finance & Risk
CLIMATE FINANCE & RISK
Carbon Tech
CARBON TECH
wildcard
DECARBONIZATION OF X (WILD CARD)

How does it work?

A distinguished panel of industry-leading experts from top corporations, venture capital firms, ecosystem builders, and media partners selects ten standout companies in each of the five tracks.

These Top 70 startups earn the opportunity to pitch live at Energy Tech Summit, taking place on April 9-10, 2025, in Bilbao, Spain.  As Europe’s top industry conference, the summit offers unparalleled media exposure and networking opportunities. 

One exceptional company will be crowned the ultimate winner of the Energy Tech Challengers award, marking a significant milestone in their journey to revolutionize the energy sector.

APPLICATION CRITERIA

TIMELINE

1

Application deadline

The deadline for submitting the application has passed
2

Top 70 announced

February 27, 2025
3

Top 70 pitches

April 9-10, 2025 @ Energy Tech Summit conference
4

Top 7 pitches & Winner announced

April 9-10, 2025 @ Energy Tech Summit conference

Startup applications are closed

Each of the 70 finalist Companies (10 per each track) are granted 1 complimentary ticket to Energy Tech Summit 2025. It’s an event that you don’t want to miss!

MEET THE WINNERS

Each of the 70 finalist Companies (10 per each track) are granted 1 complimentary ticket to Energy Tech Summit 2025. It’s an event that you don’t want to miss!

MEET THE WINNERS

WINNERS of 2025

ULTIMATE WINNER

VEIR is a superconducting power solutions company. Their advanced conductors & cooling systems eliminate the restrictions that delay new data center construction: increasing transmission capacity, removing power delivery bottlenecks, and enabling better performing solutions with simpler designs.

TOP 7 CHALLENGERS

Podero works on creating a software that steers energy devices like heat pumps to generate new revenue streams for utilities, cut consumer electricity costs, and reduce CO2 emissions. Their goal is to enable the orchestration of the world’s largest device fleet using software automation, machine learning forecasts, and trading algorithms to help the energy transition.

OXCCU has developed a platform catalytic technology for CO2 to aviation fuel, chemicals or biodegradable plastics. In the future, they’re striving to focus on aviation fuel production technology and helping to decarbonise air transportation, before moving to the other sectors.

VEIR is a superconducting power solutions company. Their advanced conductors & cooling systems eliminate the restrictions that delay new data center construction: increasing transmission capacity, removing power delivery bottlenecks, and enabling better performing solutions with simpler designs.

Eneryield is an innovative startup seeking to revolutionize the traditional and unfortunately reactive approach, by introducing a proactive methodology – Eneryield IntelliView™. Focusing on predictive surveillance and maintenance in power grids and systems.

Members of the jury

Rajesh Swaminathan

Rajesh Swaminathan

Partner @ Khosla Ventures

Mindaugas Gogelis

Mindaugas Gogelis

Energy Transition Director @ Mercuria Energy Group

Claudine Emeott

Claudine Emeott

Partner @ Salesforces Ventures Impact Fund

Ashwin Shashindranath

Ashwin Shashindranath

Partner @ Energy Impact Partners

Kieran Mahanty

Kieran Mahanty

Director @ Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP)

Christian Patiño

Christian Patiño

Head of Impact Tech @ UBS

Serhat Aydogdu

Serhat Aydogdu

Private Equity Investor

Gabriel Scheer

Gabriel Scheer

Senior Director of Innovation @ Elemental Impact

Henk Both

Henk Both

Principal @ Anzu partners

Ryan Macpherson

Ryan Macpherson

Director, Climate Innovation and Investment @ Autodesk

Christian Jolck

Christian Jolck

Co-Founder & Partner @ 2150

Amit Peri

Amit Peri

Investor @ SE Ventures

Nathaniel Krivine

Nathanaël Krivine

Co-founder & Managing Partner @ TiLT Capital Partners

Benjamin Tincq

Founding Partner @ Marble

Harry Gilbert

Investor @ bp Ventures

Jutta Wuebken

Jutta Wuebken

Director, Climate & Industrial Technology @ Bryan, Garnier & Co

Petra Sokolova

Petra Sokolova

Investment Director @ Inven Capital

Julian Wessing

Julian Wessing

Senior Startup Program Manager @ BRYCK

Ashley Klapwijk

Ashley Klapwijk

Investment Manager @ Eneco Ventures

Kateryna Ovechenko

Kateryna Ovechenko

Head of Product Management & Partner @ HBM.ai

Ekain Laka Zelaia

Ekain Laka Zelaia

Project Manager @ BEAZ (Regional Government of Bizkaia)

Eriz Sainz Gurtubay

Eriz Sainz Gurtubay

Director @ BAT & PwC

Christian Adelsberger

Christian Adelsberger

Founder & CEO @ NECTURE

Francisco Tejedor Basarrate

Francisco Tejedor Basarrate

Investment Associate @ Repsol Energy Ventures

Alfonso Carranza

Alfonso Carranza De Las Heras

Investment Manager @ Elewit Ventures

Jake Van Koevering

Jake Van Koevering

Executive Director @ Morgan Stanley

Aurianne Legris

Aurianne Legris

Principal @ Honda Xcelerator Ventures

Cecile Calmet

Cecile Calmet

Investment Director @ TiLT Capital Partners

Koldo Atxutegi

Koldo Atxutegi

Chief Innovation Officer @ Ormazabal

Rosario Cannata

Rosario Cannata

Principal @ EDP Ventures

Rhea Hamilton

Rhea Hamilton

Managing Director @ General Atlantic | BeyondNetZero

Neha Manaktala

Neha Manaktala

Global Head of Climate Tech Investments @ JP Morgan

Vikram Raju

Vikram Raju

Managing Director, Head of Climate Investments @ Morgan Stanley

Rajan Shah

Rajan Shah

Vice President @ Morgan Stanley

Arvin Amiry

Arvin Amiry

Chief of Staff @ Instagrid

Olga Peters

Olga Peters

Head of Motion Ventures @ ABB

Anton Kotov

Anton Kotov

Head of Corporate Strategy and M&A @ ABB

Chao Wu

Chao Wu

Head of Group Investment and Portfolio @ ABB Ventures

Jakub Przybylski

Jakub Przybylski

Strategy Manager Ventures, Electrification Smart Power @ ABB

Lisa Schneider

Lisa Schneider

Investment Associate @ Aramco Ventures

Quentin Dupont

Quentin Dupont

Investment Manager @ Korys

Ides Vandorpe

Ides Vandorpe

Investment Analyst @ Korys

Nathaniel Krivine

Nathanaël Krivine

Co-founder & Managing Partner @ TiLT Capital Partners

Sebastien Berning

Sebastian Berning

CEO @ Instagrid

Rosario Cannata

Rosario Cannata

Principal @ EDP Ventures

Chris Holcroft

Chris Holcroft

Growth Equity Investor @ Energy Growth Momentum

Shon Dana

Shon Dana

CEO @ Ignite the Spark

Alesssandro Gambarotta

Alessandro Gambarotta

Principal @ Adara Ventures

Jan de Dreu

Jan de Dreu

Executive Director Debt Investments @ BBVA Spark

Sebastien Berning

Sebastian Berning

CEO @ Instagrid

LinkedIn,https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-berning/

Mario Jankovic

Mario Jankovic

Associate, Ventures @ Axpo Group

Ruben Devogelaer

Ruben Devogelaer

Principal advisor, Cleantech Equity & growth capital division @ EIB

Jonas Wolff

Jonas Wolff

Principal Advisor & Lead Engineer, Innovative Supply Chain and Process Industries @ EIB

Alvaro Gonzalez Rueda

Álvaro González Rueda

Investment Associate @ Repsol

Mark Daly

Mark Daly

Head of Technology & Innovation @ BloombergNEF

Guillermo Garcia-Miguel

Guillermo García-Miguel

Head of Product @ H2Site

Would you like to connect with some of Spain's most iconic energy-related corporations as part of the Energy Tech Challengers initiative?

To encourage the adoption of open innovation in the Biscay region, BAT – B Accelerator Tower, a globally recognized entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem based in Bilbao, is seeking startups that are developing new technologies in the energy sector with the goal of connecting them with top-tier corporate partners such as Iberdrola, Arteche, Enagas and many more.

Selected applicants who capture the interest of these corporations will have the opportunity to participate in a sponsored trade mission to the region. During this visit, they will meet with the corporate innovation and venturing teams. BAT will cover the costs of flights and accommodation*.

*Disclaimer: The outlined conditions will pertain solely to the selected startups. The financial assistance provided will cover up to €400 for each company established in Spain, €1,000 for European companies, and €2,000 for companies situated in other regions. These amounts encompass both hotel accommodations and flight expenses for a single individual. Detailed conditions will be communicated to the applicant companies following the selection of the finalists.

An initiative of

An initiative of

Bizkaia forualdundia
Bilbao
Gobierno Vasco

Led By

PWC

Participating companies

Mondragon
Enagas
elecnor grupo
Iberdrola
arteche
Altuna y Uria
Gertek
Viuda de Sainz
Ayesa
Tubacex

Participating companies

Mondragon
Enagas
elecnor grupo
Iberdrola
arteche
Altuna y Uria
Gertek
Viuda de Sainz
Ayesa
Tubacex

ENERGY TECH CHALLENGERS 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Watch Pitches

FOUNDED BY

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ENERGY TECH CHALLENGERS?

contact usSubscribe

OTHER INITIATIVES FOR STARTUPS