Sustainable development, the environment, and innovation. All in one place.
The main areas of this bid concern the energy sector and sustainable development, as well as innovation related to mobility, cyber security, smart city solutions, and technologies that make the reduction of emissions and pollutants into the atmosphere possible.
In addition to the first prize for first place, in the amount of 30,000 euro, funds have also been secured for second and third place (10,000 euro and 5,000 euro). The authors of the most interesting projects will be invited to the prestigious EIT InnoEnergy Highway® accelerator, which provides funding of up to 150,000 euro.
As explained by Jakub Miler, Executive Director of EIT InnoEnergy for Central Europe, Participation in this bid gives the best participants the opportunity to take advantage of the unique knowledge and experience of EIT InnoEnergy: “We’re different from other companies that invest in startups. Not only do we fund projects, but we support them until the moment of commercialisation. We offer services such as the strengthening of the development team, training, teaching and mentoring. In addition, we’re making it easier for foreign institutions to access financing, we help develop co-operation with risk capital networks, and we also develop the very product – we cooperate with research institutes and universities, which opens the possibility of cooperation with engineers from different areas.”
Dalibor Marijanović, founder and partner of Invento Capital Partners, a local HUB in charge of supporting the bid in Croatia adds: “This bid is a great opportunity for domestic entrepreneurs and their development projects because it gives them the opportunity, with the support of a mentor, to prepare to have a chance on the European start-up scene.
Participation in the bid is a valuable experience for every participant because, apart from the opportunity to acquire new practical knowledge, it represents an exciting networking event, it opens up new business opportunities and generates fresh business ideas. The possibility of winning valuable prizes shouldn’t be ignored either, aside from cash prizes in PowerUp’s finals in Prague, Invento Capital Partners will take care of the valuable prizes awarded to the three best competitors in Zagreb.”
Michał Kraszewski, of EIT InnoEnergy, points out that PowerUp! an opportunity to contribute to the improvement of the environment and its protection. The winners of previous bids have been awarded exactly that chance – to successfully develop and commercialise their solutions: “One example is Bin-e, which was developed by a Polish team – a smart waste container that recognises and classifies waste itself. So far, the startup has sold more than 100 devices and has recently been subsidised with almost 500,000 euro!”
The participants of PowerUp! on April the 25th and 26th, will participate in a bootcamp in Zagreb, while the state final will take place on May the 7th, also in Zagreb. The winners will be invited to Prague to the final bootcamp with European mentors, with a grand finale to be held on June the 19th.
To participate in this bid, you need to have a prototype, your team, and will need to fill out the form provided here.
About EIT InnoEnergy:
EIT InnoEnergy is a driver of innovation in the field of sustainable energy across Europe.
It supports innovation and invests in it at all stages of development – from the beginning to customer purchase.
With its network of partners, it build links across Europe, gathering inventors and the industry, students and employers, researchers and entrepreneurs, the business world, and the market.
It works in three key areas of innovation:
– Education that helps create an informed and ambitious workforce which understands both sustainability requirements and industry needs.
– Innovative projects that connect ideas, inventors and the industry to create market-attractive technology that gives users concrete results.
– Services to create business support for entrepreneurs and startups who, with their innovative offers, boost the European energy ecosystem.
Linking these disciplines increases the overall impact of each of them, accelerates the development of market solutions, and creates a fertile environment in which the innovative results of the work can be sold on.
