Accelerate your business at the heart of Asia's energy transition

Energy Tech Challengers Asia is the region’s startup competition for companies building in energy and climate technology.

Selected challengers get direct exposure to Asia’s most active climate investors, leading regional energy corporations, and the industry leaders who decide what gets funded next. This year, ABB joins as our startup innovation partner – actively scouting the Challenger tracks for solutions they’re looking to back, pilot, and partner with.

The competition culminates at Energy Tech Summit Asia in Kuala Lumpur, where finalists pitch live in front of a panel of expert judges, competing for category recognition and investor attention.

Open tracks: Green Energy Infrastructure, AI for Energy, Energy for AI, Climate Hardware X, Climate Software X, Wild Card.

Applications close August 10.

Startup Innovation Partner

ABB
Green Energy Infrastructure
GREEN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

This track is ideal for climate innovators developing low-carbon infrastructure that delivers reliable, resilient, and scalable energy systems, with opportunities to connect with investors seeking clean energy solutions.

Applicable technologies

– Long-duration and seasonal energy storage
– Flexible transmission and HVDC technologies
– Deployment tech: drones, digital twins, site planning
– EV fleet/grid integration, charging networks

ABB is scouting for:

– Grid stabilization and interconnection innovations
– Smart energy management platforms
– Virtual power plants (VPPs), DER orchestration
– Technologies that support DC grid development
– Breakthrough Medium Voltage hardware
– Grid Automation hardware
– Core technology providing safe and reliable power: core areas (e.g. DC, Critical Power), enhancing from products to solutions (e.g. Smart Breaker)

AI for Energy
AI FOR ENERGY

Focused on AI-driven tools for energy systems optimization, intelligence, and automation, this track gives founders the opportunity to pitch investors transformative AI energy solutions.

Applicable technologies

– AI-based load balancing and DSM tools

ABB is scouting for:

– Grid intelligence and forecasting platforms
– Predictive maintenance for power infrastructure
– AI-enhanced renewable energy forecasting
– Computer vision for asset monitoring
– Energy consumption anomaly detection
– Grid automation software

 

Energy for AI
ENERGY FOR AI

Centered on clean energy, infrastructure, and digital solutions, this track invites startups driving the sustainable growth of computing and AI to showcase technologies powering a more efficient digital future.

Applicable Technologies:

– Clean energy infrastructure for compute
– AI/Compute energy optimisation tools
– Next-gen low-energy compute hardware
– Advanced cooling & thermal systems
– Sustainable data center infrastructure
– Green compute platforms

ABB is scouting for:

– Increased efficiency and footprint reduction of power distribution in data centers

hardware
CLIMATE HARDWARE X

Focused on tangible, physical innovations that drive deep decarbonization and emissions removal, this track offers founders the opportunity to raise investment for hardware-based climate solutions.

Applicable Technologies:

– Direct air capture (DAC), CCUS hardware
– Sustainable fuels production (SAF, e-fuels, methanol)
– Electrolyzers, micro-reactors, solid oxide fuel cells
– Low-carbon heating, heat pumps, advanced HVAC
– Robotics & IoT for emissions reduction
– Carbon mineralization and reactor engineering
– Smart sensors for environmental diagnostics

software
CLIMATE SOFTWARE X

For startups building software platforms that power, measure and transact the climate economy. This track offers exposure to investors seeking digital-first climate solutions. 

Applicable Technologies:

– Carbon & ESG accounting platforms
– MRV for carbon removal (tech + nature-based)

ABB is scouting for:

– Digital registries, carbon exchanges
– PPA contracting, climate risk modeling
– Fintech infrastructure for offsets and sustainability-linked assets
– Insurance, regtech, and climate compliance tools

wildcard
WILD CARD - CLIMATE X

This track spotlights startups addressing climate challenges beyond the energy sector – offering investors a window into emerging, undercapitalized opportunities.

Applicable Technologies:

– Steam Venting Recovery / Energy Utilisation: technologies capable of recovering, converting, or upgrading vented steam into reusable forms (e.g. LP steam, hot water, or condensate)
– Cooling System Efficiency Enhancement (Fin Fan / Subcooling): solutions enhancing fin fan cooler performance and reliability, including hybrid or adiabatic cooling, subcooling systems
– Heat tracing efficiency and insulation ecosystem: smart self-regulating heat tracing, advanced insulation (aerogel, nano-coating), modular insulation kits
– Circular economy tech (recycling, upcycling, reuse platforms)
– Supply chain emissions & traceability platforms
– Clean water access, desalination, treatment
– Resilience tools (flood, drought, wildfire risk platforms)
– Agri-tech (soil carbon, methane tracking, vertical farming)
– Low-emissions food systems & cold chain tech

ABB is scouting for: 

– Smart buildings and built environment tools
– New and sustainable materials for electrical components (e.g. wire and cable management)
– Ease of install & operate: pre-fab, modular solutions reducing total cost of ownership
– Sustainability and efficiency along the entire value chain: quality inspection, supply chain and procurement platforms