SET Award 2025

The climate tech startup competition that brings your sustainable energy solutions to the world stage. And guess what? Your equity stays intact.

Ready 🔌   SET 🔋   Go! 💡

Leverage Our Global Network through the SET Award

The Climate Tech Startup Competition Connecting You to Top Innovators, Investors and Partners in Sustainable Energy Innovation!

  • 8
    Years

  • 3500+
    Innovations

  • 100+
    Countries

  • 82
    Finalists

  • 42
    Winners

Images: photothek/Ute Grabowsky & Dominik Butzmann

  • Magnotherm, SET24
  • Roam Electric, SET24
  • SolCold, SET24
  • VIDA, SET24
  • Cling Systems, SET24

The Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Award is the ultimate sustainablity startup competition that empowers climate tech innovators and clean energy startups to catapult their businesses to the frontlines of the energy industry. Your breakthrough 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 the past eight years, we’ve seen over 3,500 applications from more than 100 countries. Will you be next?

Let’s START UP the ENERGY TRANSITION for a ninth time—your ticket to transforming the future of energy.

⚡️🏆⚡️🏆⚡️🏆⚡️🏆⚡️

We want to showcase your unique technology & sustainable innovation!

“SET has been fantastic. Already within a few minutes of being here, we developed opportunites and closed two deals through the B2b matchmaking.”

Arjun Sethunath, CMO, Navalt, SET Award 2023 Winner

The 2025 SET Award Categories

 

Clean Energy & Storage Clean Energy Generation Icon Orange

Clean energy powers our future—and it’s about more than just tech. We’re looking for innovators whose solutions in renewable energy generation, storage, and distribution can scale to meet the evolving needs of both people and the planet. Got what it takes? Let’s see it!

Take a look at the 2024 finalists
Industry Industry category orange

The backbone of modern life, industry touches everything—but it’s also one of our biggest challenges. We need game-changing tech to decarbonize, reduce emissions, and create a cleaner future for industries and the people who rely on them. Got the innovation to transform it all? Step up!

Take a look at the 2024 finalists
  • Clean Energy & Storage Clean Energy Generation Icon Orange

    Clean energy powers our future—and it’s about more than just tech. We’re looking for innovators whose solutions in renewable energy generation, storage, and distribution can scale to meet the evolving needs of both people and the planet. Got what it takes? Let’s see it!

    Take a look at the 2024 finalists
  • Industry Industry category orange

    The backbone of modern life, industry touches everything—but it’s also one of our biggest challenges. We need game-changing tech to decarbonize, reduce emissions, and create a cleaner future for industries and the people who rely on them. Got the innovation to transform it all? Step up!

    Take a look at the 2024 finalists
Buildings & Construction

Buildings aren’t just structures—they’re where we live, work, and thrive. We need startups that can redefine how we build, with energy-efficient materials and smarter systems. Can your innovation shape sustainable spaces for tomorrow? Show us!

Take a look at the 2024 finalists
Quality Energy Access & SDG-7 Quality energy access & SDG-7 icon in orange

If changing lives through clean energy is your mission–this is your moment. We’re on the hunt for startups bringing affordable, reliable, and sustainable power to communities most affected by climate change. You in?

Take a look at the 2024 finalists
Mobility & Transportation Smart mobility & transportation icon in orange

The road to a greener future starts here. From electric vehicles to digital mobility innovations, we’re seeking bold startups transforming how we move people and goods. If you’re driving sustainability and cutting energy use, let’s roll!

Take a look at the 2024 finalists
  • Buildings & Construction

    Buildings aren’t just structures—they’re where we live, work, and thrive. We need startups that can redefine how we build, with energy-efficient materials and smarter systems. Can your innovation shape sustainable spaces for tomorrow? Show us!

    Take a look at the 2024 finalists
  • Quality Energy Access & SDG-7 Quality energy access & SDG-7 icon in orange

    If changing lives through clean energy is your mission–this is your moment. We’re on the hunt for startups bringing affordable, reliable, and sustainable power to communities most affected by climate change. You in?

    Take a look at the 2024 finalists
  • Mobility & Transportation Smart mobility & transportation icon in orange

    The road to a greener future starts here. From electric vehicles to digital mobility innovations, we’re seeking bold startups transforming how we move people and goods. If you’re driving sustainability and cutting energy use, let’s roll!

    Take a look at the 2024 finalists
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SET Award’s got something epic waiting for you at every stage.

 

Category Winners

  • €10,000 Cash Boost: Walk away with equity-free prize money to turbocharge your startup

  • Global Spotlight: Your startup gets celebrated across the World Energy Council’s network in 100+ countries—now that’s global exposure!

  • Insider Access: Connect with Industry leaders at the World Energy Leaders’ Summit

  • PR Powerhouse: Crank up your visibility with top-tier media buzz and extra visibility in the energy sector.

  • Mic Drop Moment: Take the stage and own it at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2025.

Finalists

  • Trip to Berlin: We’ve got the flights and accomodation 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 Energy Frontrunners series, putting your startup on the global map.

SET100

  • Spotlight in 2025’s SET100 List of Pioneering Climate Tech Startups: Get your name in lights with our prestigious SET100 startup list, seen by investors, corporates, and policymakers worldwide.

  • Festival Freebies: Grab complimentary tickets to the SET Tech Festival & BETD 2025—because why pay when you’re in the top 100?

  • 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.

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, amplifying your visibility and increasing your chances of success.

  • Diverse Opportunities: Compete for a €10,000 cash prize and international recognition at the SET Tech Festival while also gaining the chance to partner with energy utilities on real-world projects.

  • Mentorship and Support: Benefit from expert guidance in both the SET Award and Free Electrons networks, helping you scale your innovation faster.

  • 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.

  • Category Winners

    • €10,000 Cash Boost: Walk away with equity-free prize money to turbocharge your startup

    • Global Spotlight: Your startup gets celebrated across the World Energy Council’s network in 100+ countries—now that’s global exposure!

    • Insider Access: Connect with Industry leaders at the World Energy Leaders’ Summit

    • PR Powerhouse: Crank up your visibility with top-tier media buzz and extra visibility in the energy sector.

    • Mic Drop Moment: Take the stage and own it at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2025.

  • Finalists

    • Trip to Berlin: We’ve got the flights and accomodation 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 Energy Frontrunners series, putting your startup on the global map.

  • SET100

    • Spotlight in 2025’s SET100 List of Pioneering Climate Tech Startups: Get your name in lights with our prestigious SET100 startup list, seen by investors, corporates, and policymakers worldwide.

    • Festival Freebies: Grab complimentary tickets to the SET Tech Festival & BETD 2025—because why pay when you’re in the top 100?

    • 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.

  • 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, amplifying your visibility and increasing your chances of success.

    • Diverse Opportunities: Compete for a €10,000 cash prize and international recognition at the SET Tech Festival while also gaining the chance to partner with energy utilities on real-world projects.

    • Mentorship and Support: Benefit from expert guidance in both the SET Award and Free Electrons networks, helping you scale your innovation faster.

    • 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.

The Road to SET Award 2025

9 September, 2024 – 29 October, 2024

SET25 Award Applications Now Open: Enter Your Climate Tech Startup Today

Game On! The SET25 Award is now open and accepting entries until 29 October 2024. No SET Award Applications Accepted After This Date. Apply now!

Game On! The SET25 Award is now open and accepting entries until 29 October 2024. No SET Award Applications Accepted After This Date. Apply now!

Evaluations begin from end of October

Startup Screening

Our evaluation partner and judges rate all the entries to determine who moves forward. The top 100 startups will be handpicked for the SET100 list 2025.

Our evaluation partner and judges rate all the entries to determine who moves forward. The top 100 startups will be handpicked for the SET100 list 2025.

February 2025

Who Made The Cut?

The SET100 list for 2025’s most promising energy and climate tech startups is out! The top three startups in each category will be the finalists of SET Award 2025. Our 15 finalists are invited to Berlin for the jury meeting with C-level investors and corporates.

The SET100 list for 2025’s most promising energy and climate tech startups is out! The top three startups in each category will be the finalists of SET Award 2025. Our 15 finalists are invited to Berlin for the jury meeting with C-level investors and corporates.

18-19 March, 2025

The Final Showdown

During their trip to Berlin, the finalists pitch at the SET Tech Festival and Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue in March 2025. Winners are crowned at the SET Award 2025.

During their trip to Berlin, the finalists pitch at the SET Tech Festival and Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue in March 2025. Winners are crowned at the SET Award 2025.

See Where 2024’s Top Climate Tech Startups Call Home

Now It’s Your Turn to Join the SET Award Alumni!

 

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!

  1. 1

    Founding Year: Your startup needs to be ten years young or less. If you were founded before 2014,unfortunately, you’re out of the running.

  2. 2

    Application language: This is a global startup competition, so all applications and documents must be in English. We want everyone on the same page!

  3. 3

    Company registration: Make sure your startup is officially registered, or at least on its way to getting there.

  4. 4

    Technology Readiness Level: Your startup should be beyond the idea stage, with at least a TRL of 4 or higher. We’re looking for functional prototypes, proof of concept, or a solid partnership that proves your tech is ready to make an impact.

  5. 5

    Completed Form: Fill it out, all of it. Partially completed forms? They go straight to the “nope” pile.

Terms & conditions

Download the official conditions and legal terms for taking part in the competition.

Terms & conditions (PDF)

Meet the Global Energy Leaders Jury

Behind one of the world’s longest-running climate tech startup competitions stands an interdisciplinary and international jury of world-class experts in energy, business, finance, and technology. Each year they select the top startups in each category.

Corinna Enders, dena

Corinna Enders

CEO, German Energy Agency (dena)

Corinna Enders has been Chairwoman of dena’s Management Board since October 2023. In this role, she is responsible for dena’s operational and strategic development as well as its content. Her work focuses on supporting the German government and all stakeholders involved in the transformation to climate neutrality.

Corinna studied law in Germany and Italy and is an expert in environmental and climate policy, working briefly as a lawyer before spending many years as a government civil servant. Before joining dena, Corinna established and expanded Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH, a non-profit, in Berlin as Managing Director.

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Angela Wilkinson

Dr. Angela Wilkinson

Secretary General and CEO, World Energy Council

Angela is one of the world’s leading global energy futures experts, an experienced energy executive, a distinguished Oxford scholar and a published author. She has 30 years of experience in leading national, international and global multi-stakeholder transformation initiatives on a wide range of economic, energy, climate and sustainable development related challenges. Angela has worked as a senior executive in the public-, private-, academic- and civic sectors. She joined the World Energy Council in 2017 to create a practical energy transition leaders toolkit and direct a new strategic insights programme. Prior to that Angela led an upgrade in strategic foresight at the OECD, based in Paris. Prior corporate experience includes decades in Royal Dutch Shell and British Gas plc. Angela is an Associate Fellow, Said Business School, Oxford and a Strategic Foresight Fellow of the GOA, USA. She sits on two international advisory boards (HSE, Russia; ECI, Oxford) and is a Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Science. She has published four books and numerous articles. Angela has a PhD in Physics.

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Jane Wu, Venture Cup

Jane Wu

Executive Director, Venture Cup

Jane is the Managing Director for Venture Cup China which is an international Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Platform based in Shanghai. It specializes in global competition, talents attraction and STI transformation primarily in Green & Sustainable Technology. The current operating projects include University Startup World Cup and Nordic Innovation Centre (Shanghai).  She is also the Executive Secretary General for World Young Scientist Summit as an academic event held once a year for the world young talents. The summit is jointly sponsored by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province. It highlights the importance of integrating science with industries, venture capitals, arts and other societal endeavors as well as encourages multidisciplinary innovation among young scientist.

Before returning to her hometown, she has over ten years international management experiences in USA, Europe and Hong Kong.

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Robina von Stein, Contrarian Ventures

Robina von Stein

Investor, Contrarian Ventures

Robina is an Investor at Contrarian Ventures, the pan-European climate tech venture firm focusing on early-stage companies that work on innovations to decarbonize the energy sector, transportation industry, heavy industry, and urban space. Next to these industries, Contrarian looks at Carbon & Climate as markets separately. Robina has joined the team recently and manages the DACH market after founding and building the first circular economy software start-up in Germany for the last five years.

Robina holds an MSc in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy from the University of Zurich and ETH and recently joined the advisory board at dena.

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Small image of Freerk Bisschop, Venture Partner at Inven Capital

Freerk Bisschop

Venture Partner, Inven Capital

Freerk Bisschop is a seasoned investor and advisor in energy transition innovation. He has a long background in the energy industry, as a scientist, strategist, consultant, manager, entrepreneur, executive, non-executive, investor and advisor. Currently he acts as Venture Partner to Inven Capital and as an independent advisor to startups, scale-ups and investors.

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Felix Krause

Felix Krause

Partner, Vireo Ventures GmbH

With over 15 years of experience in the energy, mobility, and sustainability sectors, I am passionate about supporting innovative start-ups that drive electrification and decarbonization. As a Partner at Vireo Ventures, an early-stage VC firm, I leverage my expertise in business development, strategy, and marketing to identify, evaluate, and mentor highly scalable ventures that align with our mission and vision. I am also a certified business trainer, with a proven track record of delivering impactful training and coaching programs to entrepreneurs, executives, and teams.

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Julia Padberg

Julia Padberg

Partner, SET Ventures

Julia Padberg is Partner at SET Ventures, Europe’s leading energy VC that is currently investing from its 4th fund (€200m). SET aims to create a carbon-free energy system by endorsing pioneering founders with the capital, community, and insights to deliver financial and impact returns. Julia joined SET 8 years ago after 6 years being a corporate finance advisor in the energy & climate tech sectors. She is a director on the supervisory boards of FlexiDAO, Trunkrs and Sensorfact.

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David Wortmann

David Wortmann

Founder and managing director, DWR Eco

David Wortmann is the founder and managing director of the cleantech consulting agency DWR Eco, co-founder and board member of Leaders for Climate Action, and venture partner and investor in Proptech 1 and Planet A. At the same time, David Wortmann is co-managing director of the non-profit Global Eco Transition gGmbH, is regularly active as a podcaster, is a jury member of start-up awards and supports cleantech start-ups as a mentor, board member and investor.

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David Arinze

David Arinze

Off-Grid Energy Portfolio lead, Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI)

David Arinze is an Electrical Engineer, Innovator, and Energy policy expert with over a decade of experience working in the renewable energy sector in Nigeria and Internationally.  He currently serves as the Off-Grid Energy Portfolio lead at Diamond Development Initiatives (DDI), where he manages the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) funded Off-Grid Energy Program. 

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Niclas Carlsson

Niclas Carlsson

Director of International Market Development at the Swedish Energy Agency

Niclas Carlsson is the Director of International Market Development at the Swedish Energy Agency, which is
responsible for the agency´s strategical activities globally –both in terms of business and investment promotion.

Before joining the Swedish Energy Agency, he represented the Government of Sweden in various international positions, most recently as the Trade Commissioner of Sweden to Saudi Arabia at the Embassy of Sweden in Riyadh.

Apart from representing the Government of Sweden on three continents, Niclas Carlsson has vast experience as a company advisor having supported over three hundred companies in their international pursuits.

Niclas Carlsson has a background in Business Administration as well as International Relations from Stockholm University and Free University of Berlin.

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Luis Sperr

Luis Sperr

Managing Partner, kopa ventures

Luis is managing partner at kopa ventures, a Germany- and UK-based early-stage VC with a focus on the most promising European climate tech startups in the fields of Energy, Mobility and Nature & Carbon Tech.

Luis has more than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, manager and investor in mobility and energy with a broad network to entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporates, investors, and the public sector. In addition to his consulting experience, he co-founded a company in the AI sector. At EIT InnoEnergy, Luis was part of the early-stage DACH investment team and also restructured and further developed the global mobility portfolio.

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Patricia Tatto

Patricia Tatto

Vicepresident ATA Renewables América (ATA)

As President of Women in Renewable Energy Mexico AC, (MERM) she co-founded MERL, the Latin American Network of Women in Energy that seeks the inclusion of more women in the energy sector, empowering and promoting initiatives with triple impact in the field of renewable energies in LATAM. 

She is part of the boards of directors; Mexican Solar Association (ASOLMEX), Path to 100# by Wartzila, Latin American Council of Renewable Energy LACOORE, member of the MX Alliance and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.  

She has been named 100 Powerful Women in Mexico by Forbes, 200 Important Women in Mexico by Executive World, 10 Women in Energy 2021, among other publications where she writes opinion articles, and actively participates in international conferences and forums as a speaker. 

She is a delegate for Mexico in the official women’s group W20 G20 working group that forms a transnational network of women’s organizations, associations. 

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Isabelle Canu

Dr. Isabelle Canu

Partner, GET Fund

Isabelle/Dr. Isabelle Canu is a partner of the Green European Tech Fund (GET Fund) with a target of 150-250 M EUR to invest in European cleantech start-ups with a potential for high financial returns and a high positive impact on the environment.

Previously, she developed her own business in the field of sustainability strategies for VC and PE funds. She has also built up and managed the public VC fund coparion with 275 M EUR AUM. She is an experienced investment and fund manager and, with 19 years of practical experience in sustainable finance, including at the Federal Chancellery and KfW, she is a recognized pioneer and shaper of sustainable finance in the field of venture capital and start-ups. She is member of the Sustainable Finance Committee of the German Government.

She studied International Relations at Sciences Po in Paris and holds a PhD from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich.

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Marie-Line Vaiani

Marie-Line Vaiani

Secretary General, French Committee of the World Energy Council

Marie-Line Vaiani is since January 2023 Secretary General of the Conseil Français de l’Energie, the French committee of the World Energy Council (WEC).

In France, she has overseen multi-use water management of EDF’s hydroelectric dams, has developed new dispatching systems for the Electricity Transmission Network, as well as worked on local economic development and management for the “Une rivière, un territoire” programme’s investment fund.

Internationally, she has steered development and diversification strategies, from the regulation and design of energy markets to the development of national industry standards for renewable energies, hydrogen and batteries.

She is an ENSTA Paris-certified engineer, specialising in mathematical engineering, and holds a degree in corporate finance and capital markets from Sciences Po Paris as well as an executive MBA from HEC Paris. She is Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur.

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Daria Saharova

Daria Saharova

Founding Partner, World Fund

Daria is a Founding Partner at World Fund, Europe’s leading climate tech VC. She has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and investor. In addition, Daria sits on the boards of trustees of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition and is the member of the extended board of the German Startup Association. She is the co-founder of the think tank 1E9 Denkfabrik, and has close ties with global tech thought leaders.
Her expertise guides World Fund’s investments. She advises as a board member Customcells, IQM, Space Forge, Vaeridion, ecoworks and Planet A Foods.

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Stefan Mager

Stefan Mager

Head of Infrastructure – Energy, Water, Mobility, GIZ

Stefan Mager studied political science in Germany and the UK. He joined GIZ in 2008, starting as a project manager for EU Twinning Projects in the environmental sector. Over the years, Stefan has taken on various roles within GIZ, including secondments to KfW and the German Ministry for Environment. He led a project advising the international department of the Ministry on key issues such as the global phase-out of fossil fuels, Just Transition, local climate action, decentralized renewable energy, and digitalization. Before assuming his current role as Head of Section for Infrastructure, Energy, Mobility, and Water, Stefan managed a program in Kosovo, focusing on waste management and circular economy.

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javiera aldunate

Javiera Aldunate

Representative of the MIT Sloan Latin America Office (MSLAO)

Javiera Aldunate is the representative of the MIT Sloan Latin America Office, which supports the creation and transfer of knowledge and the advancement of management education and practices in the region.

She previously served as the head of the International Affairs Office at the Chilean Ministry of Energy, where she was responsible for strategically promoting the country’s position in the energy sector. Before that, she worked as the Executive Director of the World Energy Council Chile, a global non-profit organization fostering dialogue to encourage sustainable energy development. She also founded the leadership development program “Women in Energy-Chile” and is a mentor in WoomUp and Comunidad Mujer, networks that promote women’s professional growth.

Javiera is a Designer from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, holds an MBA from Universidad del Desarrollo, and has completed executive training programs at Stanford University and Babson College. She has extensive experience in creative strategy development, interdisciplinary project management, and user-centered projects. Additionally, she has taught design methodology and social innovation for over 15 years.

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Pavina Adunratanasee

Pavina Adunratanasee

Founder at Recalibrate Climate

Pavina Adunratanasee’s work has been focused at the intersection of clean energy financing and technology innovation. Pavina is the Founder and CEO of Recalibrate Climate, an innovation platform focused on bridging emerging climate tech solutions and industries to accelerate global decarbonization. Additionally, she serves as the Founding Member of  Catalyze Climate; a first-of-a-kind Climate Finance Lab that aims to mobilize innovative financing mechanisms, accelerate technology deployment, and scale climate infrastructure via fostering cross-sector collaboration across finance, policy, and industries. The initiative spun out of Vectors Capital, a deeptech climate Venture Capital firm from San Francisco.

 

Prior to founding her own venture, Pavina served as Emerging Technology Manager at Iberdrola where she led the commercialization of new technologies to drive decarbonization of the commercial and industrial sectors in Australia. Her work has been focused on bringing decarbonization products to market across distributed energy, energy storage, and electric mobility. Before joining Iberdrola, Pavina achieved significant strides in the realm of renewables development with Siemens Financial Services, where she worked on mobilizing funding for power and onshore wind projects across the APAC markets.

 

Pavina is a thought leader advocating for leveraging decarbonization technologies to address the progressive impacts of climate change and is frequently invited to share her perspectives across industry leading conferences globally. Among her many accomplishments, Pavina was selected for a global women’s leadership program sponsored by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), a leading clean energy industry body. Furthermore, she has served as an advisor to early-stage startups in the climate innovation ecosystem spanning across the US, EU, and APAC.

 

Pavina’s journey into the realm of clean energy and sustainability began during her graduate studies in New York she focused her research on bridging solutions to improve access to clean energy in the global south. During this period, she delved into the intricacies of sustainable development, policy design, and development capital mobilization, setting the foundation for her impact driven career. Pavina holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), with a specialization in Sustainable Urban Policy.

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Emet Zeitz

Emet Zeitz

Head of Ecosystem Development and Strategic Partnerships, Net Zero Insights

Emet, a trained Energy Engineer, is deeply passionate about the intersection of sustainability and technology. At Net Zero Insights, he shapes strategic partnerships and steers business strategies to empower stakeholders in the climate tech industry. His engineering background enriches his approach to fostering data-driven insights for a sustainable future. A firm believer in the synergy between technology and sustainability, Emet envisions a future where both elements work hand in hand to drive positive change for our planet.

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Aneri Pradham

Aneri Pradhan

Climate Ecosystem Builder, One of a Kind Ltd

Aneri is an award-winning climate & clean energy ecosystem builder with experience building and overseeing 10 entrepreneur support programs while living and working in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. She founded the largest energy access accelerator in Africa called ENVenture that was acquired by New Energy Nexus. She then served on the Board of Directors, and then as their Chief Operating Officer overseeing their people & culture, strategic planning, and technology teams. Her previous experiences include corporate startup partnerships, designing and implementing energy access programs, and growing and running professional clean energy ecosystem networks.

Aneri has been recognized as Renewable Energy World’s Top 40 under 40 in solar, Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst, 2021 Ashden Awards winner for Energy Access Innovation, Nasdaq Milestone Maker, an American Express Emerging Innovator, Cordes Fellow, and member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council. She has a Masters in Environment & Development from the London School of Economics and a BA in International Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill.

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Andreas Kuhlmann

CTO/COO, Christ&Company

Andreas Kuhlmann was dena’s Chief Executive from July 2015 – June 2023. Among others, the graduate physicist has held positions at the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), the German Embassy in Stockholm and the European Parliament, the German Parliament and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. He worked as a consultant and office manager at various political organisations and establishments, including the Environmental Committee of the European Parliament. As CTO/COO he is now in charge of operations and all issues around Energy, climate change and CleanTech at Christ&Company.

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Asimina Syriou

Asimina (Mina) Syriou

Business Applications & Partnerships Officer/ Energy Lead at the European Space Agency (ESA)

Mina Syriou is a passionate advocate for space technology and sustainability, with over a decade of experience spanning business development, project management, and leadership roles across NGOs, academia, government, the United Nations, and the space sector. With a strong foundation in Earth sciences and a background in Earth observation, Mina currently leads the Energy & Utilities Working Group within ESA’s Business Applications – Space Solutions (BASS) department, focusing on space-based innovations that drive sustainability and the green energy transition. A Chartered Geographer and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, she is also a business mentor to several EU accelerators, supporting start-ups in leveraging space technology. She has lectured on space-related topics at institutions such as the University of Oxford and UCL.

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Iris Jensen, senior associate, Senior Associate at BayWa r.e.

Iris Jensen

Senior Associate at BayWa r.e.

Iris has worked for innovation and business development in the energy and environment sectors across Europe, focusing on a wide range of topics from grid optimisation and e-Mobility to environmental management systems and lifecycle assessment. Iris holds a M.Sc. double degree in energy engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

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Mike Mulcahy

Mike Mulcahy

CEO of GreenCape

Mike Mulcahy is the CEO of GreenCape, in Cape Town, South Africa. GreenCape’s work has typically focused on understanding and then removing barriers to commercially viable projects across energy, water and waste. Over the last decade Mike and his team have supported hundreds of companies, projects and entrepreneurs to understand the green economy landscape and accelerate their businesses. GreenCape has pioneered projects in Energy, including a GreenTech Special Economic Zone, a Green Outcomes Fund as well as significant startup and accelerator support.

Mike is the Chairman of the International Cleantech Network – a network of some 16 000 SMMEs across 4 continents. Mike serves on the board of the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa.

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Lars Eiermann

Lars Eiermann

Chief Sustainability Officer TUM Venture Labs

Lars Eiermann is a tech-savvy entrepreneur with a profound background in R&D and logistics, particularly in the automotive industry. His expertise lies in advancing sustainable business models within the sustainability and circular economy sectors. With nearly two decades of executive experience in strategic product development and organizational change, Lars has successfully led initiatives for decarbonization, compliance, and cybersecurity. He is strongly adept at mentoring startups, focusing on their growth and sustainable practices, making him a valuable asset to any forward-thinking venture in the realm of sustainability and technology.

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Lucy Yu

Lucy Yu

CEO and founder, Centre for Net Zero

Lucy Yu is CEO and founder at Centre for Net Zero, Octopus Energy Group’s not-for-profit AI and data-driven research institute advancing tech-driven energy systems that benefit humanity. Centre for Net Zero’s research has been accepted by leading global proceedings including What Works Climate Solutions Summit, and the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR), the world’s leading gathering of deep learning professionals.

Lucy has 20 years’ experience building and scaling global consumer-facing and deeptech ventures in artificial intelligence; and developing tech policy and regulation for the UK government, European Commission, and the UN.

In 2024 Lucy was appointed a Clean Power 2030 Commissioner by the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). In addition to this role, she chairs ADViCE (AI for Decarbonisation Virtual Centre of Excellence), a DESNZ-funded programme for the development of innovative artificial intelligence technologies that support the transition to net zero.

Lucy is a non-executive director at E3G and Connected Places Catapult, and co-founder of the Institute for Ethical AI & Machine Learning. She sits on the Russell Group’s Industrial Strategy Expert Advisory Group.

 

Lucy has been named an Asian Tech Pioneer (2024), Top 5 Star in GreenTech (2021) and Financial Times Top 100 Leader in Tech (2019). She studied computational and physical chemistry at Imperial College, and public leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.

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Gary Soleiman

Gary Soleiman

Manager, Global Partnerships at Startup Nation Central

Gary Soleiman is a strategic connector in the Israeli climate innovation ecosystem, currently serving at Startup Nation Central. He specializes in linking global stakeholders—including corporations, investors, and governments—with Israeli climate-tech solutions, fostering impactful partnerships. Prior to joining Startup Nation Central, Gary held various product management and business positions in SaaS startups (in climate-tech and cyber security) and worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on climate projects in Africa and the Middle East. Gary’s expertise lies in the fostering climate innovation at the nexus between government and the private sector. He holds a Bsc. in Atmospheric Physics from Tel Aviv University.

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Samuel Gerlach

Samuel Gerlach

Senior Innovation & Venture Development Manager E.ON Strategy, Sustainability and Innovation

Samuel is a senior innovation & venture development manager in the Startup Partnerships team at E.ON Innovation. In his current role, he explores and develops pioneering solutions and partnerships for the future of energy. With open innovation programs like Free Electrons or the E.ON Grid Startup Challenge, he initiates and develops a diverse portfolio of innovation projects and successfully scaled several large scale partnerships. Before joining E.ON, he worked in different internet startups and in venture capital. Samuel holds a M.Sc in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and currently lives in Regensburg.

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Dr Anne Hinze

Dr. Anne-Kathrin Hinze

Investment Manager, DeepTech & Climate Fonds

Anne is an investor at the DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF) a Germany-based, early-growth VC aiming to fund ground-breaking technologies in Europe with a total investment volume of up to 1 billion €. Focused on the next generation of technology champions, the DTCF supports companies with extended development cycles and substantial financial needs in implementing sustainable growth strategies. The DTCF invests in innovative, high-growth startups in 4 verticals: climate, computing, industry, and life science (and their intersections) – while in the climate segment especially looking for new energy & smart grid as well as storage and decarbonization technologies.

Anne has extensive experience in venture capital and the energy industry. Prior to joining DTCF, Anne worked at EIT InnoEnergy, where she was part of the DACH investment team and honed her skills in identifying and supporting early-stage green energy ventures. She also worked in consulting as a Manager in the M&A Advisory department at PwC, where she focused on corporate valuation and venture deals.

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Axel Dickenbrok

Dr. Axel Dickenbrok

Investment Director – DACH, InnoEnergy GmbH

Axel has a strong background in Management/Finance and Transformation. Before joining InnoEnergy three years ago, he worked at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he was a core member of the Corporate Finance & Restructuring Task Force. Most of his projects have been related to corporate finance topics, transformation, turnaround, restructuring, due diligences for private equity and venture capital clients, etc. In the last three years at InnoEnergy, Axel invested in breakthrough technology ventures in the Climate Tech space, while creating valuable business cases for early-stage ventures as well later-stage growth cases. Further, he successfully helped building turnaround programs for challenging ventures, supported ventures to the next big step (e.g. going to US), as well as realizing first exits. Axel studied Management & Finance Universität Mannheim and did his PhD in Private Equity at HHL Leipzig.

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Halimah Badioze Zaman FASc.

Halimah Badioze Zaman FASc.

Holder of Tan Sri Leo Moggie Chair in Energy Informatics at UNITEN

Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr. Halimah Badioze Zaman is currently the Holder of the Tan Sri Leo Moggie Distinguished Chair in Energy Informatics at the Institute of Informatics and Computing in Energy (IICE), and Director of the newly established National Energy Centre (NEC), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). She is currently also one of the independent (non-executive Director), in the Board of Directors of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) since 2019. Prior to this, she has served in various
capacities and roles for four decades at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and worked very closely with the Government, and industry, both nationally and globally. She received the Professor Emeritus title from UKM for her contribution to knowledge in Computer Science and ICT nationally and globally. She is also fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. She has won many accolades for her research at many Research and Exhibitions Conventions nationally and globally. Over the years, she has had tremendous experience in organising symposiums, conferences, and congresses in the field of Computer Science, ICT and Energy. She is currently advisor to one of the renowned research universities in Malaysia to spearhead together with the Ministry of
Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) on the establishment of the National AI Centre (NAIC) for Malaysia.

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Michael Hackethal

Michael Hackethal

Head of Division | Multilateral cooperation on climate and energy Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Climate Action

Michael has been working with the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs (since early 2022 Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) since 2008. Before joining the Energy Department in 2014 he worked on bilateral trade relations with Eastern European countries and in the ministry’s central administration. He has been leading the team on multilateral energy and climate cooperation at the ministry since 2019. Before joining BMWK Michael worked for several years for the EU Commission’s delegation in Moscow and, between 2001 and 2004 for a network of microfinance and small business banks in Russia and Georgia.

 Michael holds a master’s degree in business administration from Passau University, Germany, and a Master of Arts in Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies from Harvard University.

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Janayna Bhering Cardoso

Janayna Bhering Cardoso

Executive coordinator of PNME & Business Development at Fundep

Engineer with a master’s degree in Science and Technology, specialist in statistics applied to processes (Six Sigma Black Belt) and innovation management, PhD student in Innovation Technology at UFMG.

She has been working in the innovation ecosystem for more than 20 years, in public and private efforts to generate a positive impact on people’s lives through innovation, seeking to contribute to the construction of public State policies. More than 1000 startups mentored, plus 100 large companies served on the innovation theme. Some examples of projects with a national scope: Mover Program, National Electric Mobility Platform, executive coordination Anuário Mobilidade Elétrica, Mentora Programa Mulheres Inovadoras Finep.  At Fundep, he works to raise funds and form strategic alliances between multiple partners — such as government, science and technology institutions, startups, industries and social organizations — to address priority issues on the national scene.

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