YOUR TIME IS NOW

Starter is bringing innovation to the energy industry.
The best startups are the ones leading it.
The top energy utilities are the ones enabling it.

Welcome to the 2021 edition of Starter.

About

Why we created starter

Starter was created for Startups and SMEs working in the energy industry or with solutions that can be applied in it.

With pilot projects development as the main focus, the 2021 edition of the program connects participants with different business units and technology experts from EDP and EDP Renewables in Portugal, Spain, Brazil and USA.

In the previous Edition, Starter attracted over 800 startups from 74 countries. Throughout the program, more than 40 pilots have been discussed, scoped or kicked-off with more than 20 of the participant startups.

Startups participating in the program will be able to attend to the Global Module, exposing the most innovative startups to deal opportunities, in a direct and personal connection with the EDP partners.

how it works

startup journey

Participant startups: once it starts, it’s an exciting journey.
And this year, the whole journey is digital.

Apply

By applying to Starter you already guarantee one thing: the unique opportunity to showcase to us your startup solution, which means you’ll be reaching EDP’s experts in four different countries. Our innovation teams and business units will look into every application to discover innovative solutions and find the ones with the best fit for the program.

Online Pitch

At the Online Pitch you get the chance to interact with our teams and better detail what collaboration you aim to develop with us. Only 30 startups will have this opportunity.

Global Module

This is the moment for 10 startups to turn potential into actual collaboration. You will (digitally) meet face-to-face our business units and co-design pilots. Prove that your solution is the ONE we need to address our challenges and we are interested in closing the deal!

Grand Finale

Be among the finalists joining us virtually for the celebration. Not only you’ll be able to share about your collaborations with the different areas of EDP, but also you’ll get the chance of winning 50K, no strings attached.

startup journey

timeline

benefits

MAKE THE MOST OF THIS OPPORTUNITY

From the moment you apply, you are already out there, showing off to the right people.

For you, this is an opportunity to go global without a life of traveling.
The selected startups will be in contact with experts from several areas of EDP, no matter the location.

You’ll have the chance to develop a pilot with a major energy utility: EDP has been around since 1976 a global energy company and a leader in value creation, innovation and sustainability.

The best startups will have the opportunity to compete for the 50.000€ winner prize.

A chance to test your solution in the energy sector in partnership with EDP (Portugal, Spain, Brazil, USA).

Access to a wider pool of mentors and experts matched to your unique requirements.

Going global: the opportunity to grow your network within the global energy sector and the potential to be invested from the partners.

Input, feedback and insight into your product/ service and business.

Time to develop a relevant proof of concept with senior stakeholders.

Be evaluated by EDP Ventures to receive financial support and/or know-how for your startup.

50.000€ prize for the winner and besides the award, the 10 startups selected for the Global Module will join EDP at the Web Summit 2021 and will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions in the largest tech conference in the world

Solutions

Solutions we are looking for

Starter wants to tackle several challenges in the energy sector.
Here are the solutions the program is looking for:

CLIENT FOCUSED SOLUTIONS

E-mobility, decentralized energy systems or energy management systems, always with a solid digital layer to boost new business models and new revenue streams.

DIGITAL INNOVATION

Focusing on data collecting, extracting value from it, maintain it safe and leveraging on cloud computational resources and other emerging technologies.

ENERGY STORAGE

Design and optimization tools for energy storage integration, preventive and predictive analytics for energy storage technologies, management of systems and platforms for energy storage and DER integration, energy storage solutions for behind the meter residential and C&I, solutions for electrical vehicles.

CLEAN ENERGY

New renewable energy technologies, new retrofitting technologies to improve renewable energy generation assets’ performance, solutions to improve energy generation operations & maintenance and asset management, new business models for the energy sector.

SMART GRIDS

Improving the infrastructures technical and economic efficiency, keeping the distribution grid up to date with the sector’s emerging needs.

Impact Innovation

We’re looking for impact, access to energy and other solutions that can help improve communities’ quality of life and have a positive social and environmental impact.

INNOVATIVE INTERNAL PROCESSES

Support in the areas such as: finance, legal, management, human resources, marketing and others, impacting workflows, deal flows and similar.

Utilities

who you will work with

EDP aims at leading the energy transition to create superior value. The EDP Group produces, distributes and generates power to around 12 million customers. With 27GW of power production capacity of which around 75% are wind, solar and hydro, EDP is the 4th largest wind power producer in the world. Active in 20 countries including USA, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and the UK, and employing about 12.000 people, EDP bets in Open Innovation through a combination of Corporate Venture Capital, Startup Engagement, Intrapreneurship and hands-on project collaboration.

www.edp.com

EDPR is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the world’s fourth-largest wind energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first-class assets and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is currently present in 14 markets.

www.edpr.com

Supported by

Beta-i is a collaborative innovation consultancy with a global reach. A team of experts in managing corporate open innovation, pilot-oriented projects with highly-curated startups, and designing products and services alongside in-company teams.

www.beta-i.com