The next breakthrough starts with energy
Join one of the world’s leading competitions for energy and climate tech startups. Gain global visibility, connect with investors and industry leaders, and compete for €10,000 in equity-free prize money.
Apply for the SET Award 2027
The SET Award empowers climate tech innovators and clean energy startups to catapult their businesses to the frontlines of the energy industry. Your solutions have the power to reshape industries, uplift communities, and accelerate the global shift to clean energy and we’ll make sure the world knows it.
For more than ten years, the SET Award has been recognising the world’s most pioneering energy & climate tech startups driving the global energy transition forward. We are celebrating the next decade of disruptive solutions, visionary founders and global impact. Now it’s your chance to become part of this thriving startup innovation community. We take your application until 30 November 2026.
We want to showcase your unique technology & sustainable innovation!
Images: photothek/Ute Grabowsky & Dominik Butzmann | Claudius Pflug
The Road to SET Award 2027
SET27 Award Applications Now Open: Enter Your Climate Tech Startup Today
Game On! The SET27 Award application phase starts October 7. Deadline is 30 November 2026. Don’t wait until the deadline, apply right away! No SET Award Applications accepted after the Deadline zu Applications close on 30 November 2026. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
SET27 Award Applications Now Open: Enter Your Climate Tech Startup Today
Game On! The SET27 Award application phase starts October 7. Deadline is 30 November 2026. Don’t wait until the deadline, apply right away! No SET Award Applications accepted after the Deadline zu Applications close on 30 November 2026. Late submissions cannot be accepted.
Startup Screening
Our evaluation partner and judges rate all the entries to determine who moves forward. The top startups will be handpicked for the SET List 2027.
Startup Screening
Our evaluation partner and judges rate all the entries to determine who moves forward. The top startups will be handpicked for the SET List 2027.
Who Made The Cut?
The SET List for 2027’s most promising energy and climate tech startups is out! The top three startups in each category will be the finalists of SET Award 2027. Our 15 finalists are invited to Berlin for the jury meeting with C-level investors and corporates.
Who Made The Cut?
The SET List for 2027’s most promising energy and climate tech startups is out! The top three startups in each category will be the finalists of SET Award 2027. Our 15 finalists are invited to Berlin for the jury meeting with C-level investors and corporates.
The Final Showdown
During their trip to Berlin, the finalists pitch at the SET Tech Festival hosted by the German Energy Agency on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in March 2027.
The Final Showdown
During their trip to Berlin, the finalists pitch at the SET Tech Festival hosted by the German Energy Agency on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in March 2027.
The SET Award 2027 Categories
Discover the most suitable SET Award category for your energy innovation
The SET Award is presented annually in five categories, all of which are fundamental to the energy transition. These are: Clean Energy & Storage; Digital Energy, Markets & Economy; Buildings & Construction; Industry & Value Chains; and Mobility & Transport. You will find detailed information on each category below. If your startup doesn’t fit into any of the categories 100%, that’s absolutely fine – it just demonstrates your startup’s innovative nature. Always apply to the category that you feel is the best fit. If our expert jury thinks you’d be better suited to another category, we’ll let you know. We want to see your innovation, even if it doesn’t fit neatly into the categories – after all, which innovator ever does fit into a box?!
Clean Energy & Storage
The generation, storage, and distribution of clean energy is not just a technical challenge — it’s a human one. This category seeks startups and scaleups addressing the decarbonisation of energy-intensive sectors through renewable energy generation, advanced storage technologies, and sustainable distribution methods. Your solution should demonstrate technical innovation with the potential for real-world impact, helping communities and industries transition to a net-zero future.
Areas of focus for the Clean Energy & Storage Category include, but are not limited to:
Generation & Storage Technologies: Hardware Solutions | Clean Energy Generation (Solar PV, Wind Onshore/Offshore, Hydropower) | Green Hydrogen & Applications | Waste-to-Heat/-Energy | Power-to-X | Fusion & Fission (incl. Small Modular Reactors/SMR) | Geothermal | Energy Efficiency | Energy Storage | Next-gen Battery Technology | Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) | Green Ammonia
Infrastructure & Assets: Expansion and Modernisation of Energy Infrastructure | Power Grids (TSO/DSO) and Operation | Grid Flexibility & Balancing | Physical Asset Management | Predictive Maintenance | Circularity
Energy Access & Equity: Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Energy for All | Off-grid Communities | Microgrids | Renewable Energy Integration | Last Mile Electrification | Decentralised Energy Systems | Energy Communities | Empowerment through Energy Access
Digital Energy, Markets & Economy
The energy transition doesn’t just need cleaner power — it needs smarter systems to generate, distribute, trade, and protect it. This category is for startups and scaleups building the digital backbone of the new energy economy: software, data, and intelligence that make energy systems more efficient, resilient, and transparent, paired with the market platforms, financing models, and regulatory tools that get technologies deployed faster and at scale. Your solution should show how digital and economic innovation translate into a quicker, safer, and more inclusive energy transition.
Areas of focus for the Digital Energy, Markets & Economy Category include, but are not limited to:
Software, Intelligence & Platforms: Digitalisation in Energy and Storage | Software Solutions | Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Machine Learning (ML) | Virtual Power Plants (VPP) | Smart Grids | Digital Asset Management | Digital Twins | Demand Side Flexibility | DERMS | Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technologies
Security & Enabling Tech: Cybersecurity & Protection of Critical Infrastructure | Space-Energy-Nexus | Energy Efficiency of Data Centres | Data Spaces and Data Sharing | Quantum Technologies | Edge Computing
Market, Regulation & Enablement: Market Platforms for Trading Energy | IT Solutions for Energy Companies | Enabling Fast Rollout of Energy Technologies | Fast and Efficient Permitting | Green Job Creation | Financing the Energy Transition | New Business Models for the Energy Transition
Buildings & Construction
Buildings consume 30% of global energy, from construction materials to the energy used for heating and cooling. This category seeks startups and scaleups developing innovations that reduce energy waste and transform how we construct and maintain our buildings. Your innovation should enable energy-efficient buildings that contribute to a sustainable future, minimising environmental impact while improving the well-being of those who inhabit them.
Areas of focus for the Buildings & Construction Category include, but are not limited to:
Heating, Cooling & Building Tech: Heating & Cooling Solutions | District Energy Systems | Heat Supply & District Heating | Building Efficiency | Smart Energy Management Solutions & HEMS | Building Automation Systems (BAS) | Drones
Climate-Resilient Communities & Housing: Urban Energy Transition | Energy Communities & Community Engagement | Affordable Housing | Climate Adaptation & Mitigation | Deep Retrofit & Renovation | Passive / Net-Zero Buildings
Materials & Life Cycle: Life Cycle of Buildings | Circular Solutions | New and Alternative Materials | Bio-based & Low-Carbon Construction Materials (e.g. Mass Timber)
Industry & Value Chains
The industry sector, responsible for one-third of global emissions and 38% of energy use, faces decarbonisation challenges due to complex materials, regulatory and administrative barriers, and high costs. Innovation is critical to making industrial processes cleaner and more sustainable, benefiting both the planet and the people who rely on them. This category seeks startups and scaleups developing breakthrough technologies that overcome these obstacles, helping industries transition to more efficient, low-carbon operations with the potential for large-scale adoption.
Areas of focus for the Industry & Value Chains Category include, but are not limited to:
Decarbonisation & Process Technology: Industrial Process Heat Decarbonisation and Electrification | Green Hydrogen for Industry | Waste Heat Utilisation | Carbon Reduction & Accounting | Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) | Direct Air Capture (DAC) | ETS Solutions | Manufacturing | Energy as a Service (EaaS) | Affordable Energy for Industry
Circularity, Materials & Advanced Manufacturing: Efficiency and Circular Solutions | New Chemical Processes | Recycling and Circular Extraction of Critical Raw Materials | Value Chains | Circular and Alternative Materials | Green Steel & Green Cement | Semiconductors, Sensor and Chip Technologies | Robotics | Industrial AI/ML
Mobility & Transportation
As one of the largest consumers of global energy, transportation is ripe for disruption. This category is for startups and scaleups reimagining how we move people and goods, with solutions that cut emissions and improve energy efficiency. We’re looking for technologies that not only drive the sector towards a low-carbon future but also redefine mobility in a way that benefits both people and the planet.
Areas of focus for the Mobility & Transportation Category include, but are not limited to:
Vehicle & Fuel Technology: Next-gen Battery Technology | Smart Mobility | Charging Technology | Vehicle-to-X (V2X) | Synthetic Fuels/Biofuels/E-fuels | EVs | Hydrogen Mobility & Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEV) | Circular Solutions in the Automotive Sector
Systems & Logistics: Public Transport & Rail | Affordable Mobility | Micromobility | Cargo & Fleet Management | Energy Efficiency in Logistics | Last Mile Transportation
Heavy & Autonomous Transport: Maritime & Aviation Sector | Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) | Autonomous Vehicles | Drones | Robotics
SET Award’s got something waiting for you at every stage
“Two for One” Opportunity
Dual Exposure: One application automatically qualifies your startup for both the prestigious SET Award and the Free Electrons Program.
Diverse Opportunities: Compete at the SET Tech Festival while also gaining the chance to partner with energy utilities on real-world projects.
Mentorship & Support: Benefit from expert guidance in both the SET Award and Free Electrons networks.
Global Networking: Build connections with global energy leaders, investors, and ecosystems, opening doors to collaborations and partnerships worldwide.
Accelerated Growth: Test, refine, and scale your solution through Free Electrons’ pilot programs and the recognition and funding opportunities from SET.
SET’s yearly international list of the most promising startups
Spotlight in 2027’s SET Publication of Pioneering Energy & Climate Tech Startups: Get your name in lights with our prestigious SET startup list, seen by investors, corporates, and policymakers worldwide.
Festival Freebies: Grab complimentary tickets to the SET Tech Festival, because why pay when you’re in the top energy & climate tech list?
Social Buzz: Be front and center in our social media highlights and newsroom updates.
Access All Areas: Score invites to exclusive global partner events and expand your network.
Better chances for VC funding: SET recognition was associated by TUM study with a 14.4 percentage higher probability of VC funding at 12 months, and 18.0 percentage points at 24 months after getting featured in the list.
Finalists
Trip to Berlin: We’ve got the flights and accommodation covered for two — just bring your A-game.
Meet the Mavericks: Get face time with our C-level jury of investors and corporates. Make those connections count.
Showcase Your Stuff: Rock your own booth at the SET Tech Festival.
Live Pitch Battle: Pitch your startup live to the industry’s biggest movers and shakers.
Get Featured: Shine in our SET Spotlights series, putting your startup on the global map.
Category Winners
€10,000 Cash Boost: Walk away with equity-free prize money to turbocharge your startup
Insider Access: Connect with Industry Leaders at the SET Tech Festival 2027 in Berlin
PR Powerhouse: Crank up your visibility with top-tier media buzz and extra visibility in the energy sector.
Mic Drop Moment: Take the international stage and own it.
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![Free Electrons]()
“Two for One” Opportunity
Dual Exposure: One application automatically qualifies your startup for both the prestigious SET Award and the Free Electrons Program.
Diverse Opportunities: Compete at the SET Tech Festival while also gaining the chance to partner with energy utilities on real-world projects.
Mentorship & Support: Benefit from expert guidance in both the SET Award and Free Electrons networks.
Global Networking: Build connections with global energy leaders, investors, and ecosystems, opening doors to collaborations and partnerships worldwide.
Accelerated Growth: Test, refine, and scale your solution through Free Electrons’ pilot programs and the recognition and funding opportunities from SET.
-
SET’s yearly international list of the most promising startups
Spotlight in 2027’s SET Publication of Pioneering Energy & Climate Tech Startups: Get your name in lights with our prestigious SET startup list, seen by investors, corporates, and policymakers worldwide.
Festival Freebies: Grab complimentary tickets to the SET Tech Festival, because why pay when you’re in the top energy & climate tech list?
Social Buzz: Be front and center in our social media highlights and newsroom updates.
Access All Areas: Score invites to exclusive global partner events and expand your network.
Better chances for VC funding: SET recognition was associated by TUM study with a 14.4 percentage higher probability of VC funding at 12 months, and 18.0 percentage points at 24 months after getting featured in the list.
-
Finalists
Trip to Berlin: We’ve got the flights and accommodation covered for two — just bring your A-game.
Meet the Mavericks: Get face time with our C-level jury of investors and corporates. Make those connections count.
Showcase Your Stuff: Rock your own booth at the SET Tech Festival.
Live Pitch Battle: Pitch your startup live to the industry’s biggest movers and shakers.
Get Featured: Shine in our SET Spotlights series, putting your startup on the global map.
-
Category Winners
€10,000 Cash Boost: Walk away with equity-free prize money to turbocharge your startup
Insider Access: Connect with Industry Leaders at the SET Tech Festival 2027 in Berlin
PR Powerhouse: Crank up your visibility with top-tier media buzz and extra visibility in the energy sector.
Mic Drop Moment: Take the international stage and own it.
Ready to throw your hat in the ring?
Here’s the lowdown on the SET Award criteria!
We’re calling all climate tech and energy startups that meet our criteria. Remember, you can only apply to one category, no double-dipping. And if you’ve applied before, we’d love to see you back in the game!
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1
Applicants may only apply to one category. All subsequent applications to other categories will be disqualified.
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2
For the 2027 edition, eligible companies must have been founded in August 2016 or later.
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3
The application, including any attached documents, must be entirely in English. The jury works primarily in English.
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4
The company must be registered, or in the process of registration. The solution must go beyond the idea stage and demonstrate at least a proof of concept.
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5
Applicants must also provide evidence of either (a) a client or industrial/corporate/institutional partner, or (b) a functioning prototype. Hardware solutions should generally be at TRL 4 or above.
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6
The applicant must fill out the entire form. Partially completed applications will not be accepted.
Still not convinced?
Check out what the SET community has to say!
Terms & conditions
Download the official conditions and legal terms for taking part in the competition.