Who we are

Start Up Energy Transition (SET) is a global innovation platform supporting innovation in energy transition.

SET is implemented with the conviction that a sustainable future is directly linked to innovative business models and political will. The SET platform is powered by the German Energy Agency (dena), in cooperation with the World Energy Council.

Our mission

‘’Strengthening the impact that energy innovators have in reaching climate neutrality’’

Through our activities, we support, promote, and create opportunities for start-ups in the energy sector to scale-up impact and accelerate the global energy transition in order to reverse climate change.

Our work

Since its inception, SET continues to enable connections through dena’s and World Energy Council’s unique position at the crossroads of the private and public sector. At its core, the SET platform is built on three pillars: the SET Award, the SET Tech Festival, and the SET Newsroom.

Our activities make SET an important and well-recognized international platform for innovation in the energy transition.

SET Award

An annual international competition for start-ups and young companies innovating for the global energy transition. In the last eight years, the award has received more than 3,500 applications from more than 100 countries.

The SET Award Winners 2024

SET Tech Festival

An annual one-day event bringing together innovators shaping the future of energy: the best start-ups in the field of energy solutions, innovation-driven corporates, investors, and public organisations leading the energy transition.

Relive the #SETTF24

SET Newsroom

The SET team produces unique content (articles, videos and events) featuring news from the energy world, the successes and challenges of SET start-ups and other trending topics valuable to our network.

You want to share some good news? Feel free to contact us!

Learn more

SET Award

An annual international competition for start-ups and young companies innovating for the global energy transition. In the last eight years, the award has received more than 3,500 applications from more than 100 countries.
The SET Award Winners 2024
SET Tech Festival

An annual one-day event bringing together innovators shaping the future of energy: the best start-ups in the field of energy solutions, innovation-driven corporates, investors, and public organisations leading the energy transition.
Relive the #SETTF24
SET Newsroom

The SET team produces unique content (articles, videos and events) featuring news from the energy world, the successes and challenges of SET start-ups and other trending topics valuable to our network.

You want to share some good news? Feel free to contact us!
Learn more

“We urgently need to push forward with the energy transition to reach net zero. The only way we will get there is through innovation on a massive scale. Start-ups and entrepreneurs, investors and corporates, policy makers as well as the entire innovation eco system all play a crucial role here. The SET Award has been bringing these innovators together for nearly ten years.”

Pia Dorfinger, Director Start-up Ecosystem, SET (dena)

Who we are

Our mission