ASIA'S #1 PITCH COMPETITION FOR ENERGY TECH STARTUPS
Get in front of the APAC region's leading energy investors, build your brand in one of the world's fastest-growing clean energy markets, and make connections that convert into partnerships and funding.
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!
Challengers
6
Tracks
60
Finalists
1
Winner
Accelerate your business at the heart of Asia's energy transition
Energy Tech Challengers Asia is the region’s premier competition for startups and entrepreneurs pushing the boundaries of energy and climate technology.
Challengers will gain direct exposure to Asia’s most active climate investors, leading regional energy corporations, and a network of industry leaders who have the mandate — and the capital — to back what’s next. It’s a rare opportunity to accelerate growth on a stage that the Asian energy industry actually watches.
The competition culminates at Energy Tech Summit Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — the region’s defining energy industry conference — where finalists pitch live before a panel of expert judges, competing for category recognition, investor attention.
EXPLORE CATEGORIES
GREEN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
AI FOR ENERGY
ENERGY FOR AI
CLIMATE HARDWARE X
CLIMATE SOFTWARE X
WILD CARD - CLIMATE X
Partner calls
ABB call for participation
As part of ETC Asia, we’ve partnered with ABB Ventures, the venture capital arm of ABB, a global technology company specializing in electrification and automation. ABB Ventures invests in startups developing industrial technologies and works closely with ABB’s business units to identify and commercialize innovations with real-world impact.
For this challenge, ABB is looking for startups developing solutions for grid modernization, electrification, Al-enabled energy systems, efficient power infrastructure for data centres, and more sustainable electrical technologies. Selected startups will have the opportunity to directly engage with ABB’s innovation and venture teams to explore collaboration and investment opportunities.
Petronas call for participation
We are also collaborating with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), a leading global energy company committed to delivering responsible and sustainable energy solutions that drive societal
progress.
Through its corporate accelerator programme, PETRONAS works with high-potential technology innovators to identify, validate, and scale breakthrough solutions for real-world industrial applications. The programme provides startups with the opportunity to pilot their technologies in operational environments, accelerate commercial adoption, and unlock pathways to global market opportunities through collaboration with PETRONAS and its industry partners.
Current innovation priorities include technologies that enhance industrial energy efficiency and support decarbonisation efforts, particularly in the areas of waste heat recovery, advanced cooling systems, smart heat tracing, and next-generation insulation solutions.
How does it work?
A distinguished jury of investors, corporate innovators, and ecosystem builders selects ten standout companies in each competition track — with the top finalists earning the opportunity to pitch live at Energy Tech Summit Asia, taking place in September 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
As the Asia-Pacific’s most forward-looking energy industry gathering, the Summit offers unmatched media exposure, networking, and direct access to the decision-makers driving the region’s energy transition. One exceptional company will be crowned the ultimate ETC Asia winner — a milestone that opens doors across the Asian investment and corporate landscape.
APPLICATION CRITERIA
TIMELINE
FINALISTS
Meet the climate tech startups pitching live at Energy Tech Summit Asia 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, across seven categories from Climate Software X to the PETRONAS Call.
JURY MEMBERS OF 2026
Matt Gleeson
Vice President, Energy Transition & Water Conservation @ Oracle
Bruce Niven
Chief Investment Officer @ Aramco Ventures
Ahmad Redzuan Sidek
Managing Director @ Bahtera Strategic Advisory & Former CEO @ VentureTech
Jane Zhang
Head of Southeast Asia, Fellows @ Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV)
Spencer Low
Head of Regional Sustainability, APAC @ Google
Chee Ho Woo
Partner @ Twin Towers Ventures
Mike Lim
Partner @ TRIREC
Genevieve Ding
Head of APAC Sustainability @ JPMorgan Chase
Thana Slanvetpan
Head of CVC, Xplor Ventures @ PTT Exploration and Production
Mathieu Geze
Executive Director APAC @ HDF Energy
Takeshi Kodama
Head of JERA Ventures and Managing Partner @ JERA
Ben Lindsay
Principal @ Investible
Athip Tantivorawong
Chief Executive Officer @ InnoPower
Dr. Yukihiro Maru
Managing Director and Founder, Group CEO @ UntroD Capital Asia & Leave a Nest Group
Bhupesh Kumar
Director - Investment @ Temasek
Simone Grasso
Chief Investment Officer & Global Head of Vena Nexus @ Vena Group
Frederico Bilelo Goncalves
Managing Director @ EDP Ventures
Kristin Vaughan
Managing Partner @ Virescent Ventures
Jill Tully
Chief Investment Officer @ Shell Ventures
Jim Bullock
Managing Director, Power Utilities & Energy Transition @ Microsoft
Stephen Panizza
Partner @ Federation Asset Management
Calvin Lam
Head of Group Ventures & Investments @ CLP
Toby Chan
General Partner @ Audacy
Zhou YU
Head of Startup Ecosystem @ New Energy Nexus China
Eizzar Supiar
AVP, Head of Evaluation Unit @ Cradle Fund
Amanda Coutinho
Managing Director @ ISA Capital
Carl Guan
Partner @ NIO Capital
Chayoot Chatunawarat
Principal @ Innopower
Anandhi Gokhale
Investment Director @ Emerald Ventures
Daiki Kumamoto
Executive Director & CEO @ UntroD Capital Asia
Hendrik Bohne
Chief Asset Officer @ Aquila Clean Energy APAC
Itaru Shiraishi
Venture Partner @ Energy & Environment Investments, Inc.
Luck Saraya
Managing Director @ TOP Ventures
Umer Sadiq
Analyst @ BloombergNEF
Vaiva Palma
Founder and Managing Director @ Climate Confessions
Vinamra Srivastava
Partner, Asia Sustainable Investment Lead @ ERM
Dieter Billen
Partner, Head of Energy practice South-East Asia @ Roland Berger
Deane Criddle
Senior Services Director, Electrification Software, APAC @ GE Vernova
FOUNDED BY
