New ideas for the global energy transition at the SET Tech Festival
Innovative business models from 17 start-ups in the energy partnerships
The bilateral partnerships promote new technologies and approaches to the energy transition. They have enabled start-ups from eight countries to take part in the festival. These start-ups were able to present themselves and network in Berlin.
Four minutes for the pitch. Three minutes for questions from the audience. Then it’s straight on to the next start-up. Things move quickly during the so-called silent pitches. On a mezzanine level above the main auditorium at the Colosseum cinema, the buzz of conversation at the SET Tech Festival is so loud that the 30 or so members of the audience can only follow the speakers via headphones. Interested visitors drop by, grab a pair of headphones and listen intently to the innovative approaches, new technologies and digital solutions with which the founders, CEOs and engineers aim to reduce emissions and drive the energy transition forward worldwide.
Seventeen start-ups from South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Israel, Georgia, the USA and Turkey presented themselves in this way at the SET Tech Festival, the global hub for energy and climate tech innovations. They were selected as part of the so-called energy partnerships.
Energy partnerships: collaboration with 34 countries worldwide
The Federal Republic of Germany maintains energy partnerships with 34 countries worldwide. On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), dena manages five of these partnerships, both in terms of organisation and content. dena also supports a further eleven with technical expertise.
Energy partnerships are regarded as one of the most important instruments of Germany’s global energy policy. This is because, within these partnerships, countries share key experiences they have gained in the course of the energy transition. They learn from one another and discuss innovative approaches. Support for building a start-up ecosystem and the promotion of start-ups are central components of this.
The pitches covered a wide spectrum: from founders developing new approaches with just a handful of staff, to start-ups with promising pilot plants where new technologies are being tested in practice. Right through to deep-tech companies with an already established business model and turnover in the millions. They are active in various sectors of the energy transition, such as renewable energy, e-mobility, energy-efficient construction and climate protection.
In addition to dena, Adelphi, Guidehouse and GIZ, which also manage energy partnerships, were involved in the selection of the start-ups.
CO₂ membranes, electric trolleys, AI platforms: a wide range of solutions
For example, OOYOO from Japan is working on a new type of membrane designed to significantly reduce the cost of separating carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases. Hergele Teknoloji from Turkey offers electric trolleys complete with digital fleet management. These electric trolleys are designed to streamline operations in warehouses, hospitals and laundries, thereby helping to save energy and reduce emissions. Vinity from Georgia is developing a digital platform. Using data analysis and AI, it aims to make the operation of hydroelectric power stations, solar parks and wind turbines more efficient and profitable.
Participating companies
- OOYOO Ltd, Japan, https://www.ooyoo.co.jp/en/
- Muno Battery, South Africa, https://munobattery.com/
- Spacelis, Türkiye, https://spacelis.com/
- FortyGuard, UAE, https://www.fortyguard.com/
- Agami Zero, USA, https://agamizero.com/
- LAVA Power, Israel, https://lavapower.com/
- Inovate MX, Mexico, https://www.inovate.mx/
- HVB Energy, Brazil, https://hvbenergy.com.br/
- Hergele Teknoloji, Turkey, https://www.hergele.co/
- WERER Energy, Turkey, https://wererenergy.com/
- ICARBON, Turkey, https://www.icarbon.com.tr/
- CarbonNinja, Turkey, https://carbon.ninja/
- Filament Tech, Turkey, https://www.filamentechnology.com/
- iwrobotx, Turkey
- Bio Nova, Georgia, https://www.bionovadigesters.com/
- Eco Team Kutaisi, Georgia
- Vynity, Georgia, https://www.vynity.com/
For the start-ups, the SET Tech Festival offered a great opportunity to network. Whether via the matchmaking platform or simply over a casual cup of coffee, they struck up conversations with other start-ups, potential business partners and investors.
Workshop with GTAI: Business opportunities, market access and financing
The start-ups discussed access to the German and European markets the following day during a workshop. This was organised by dena in collaboration with Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The start-ups were given an overview of the German energy transition and market trends in the fields of
- renewable energy,
- storage,
- hydrogen and
- heating, as well as
- the resulting business opportunities.
The workshop also offered practical advice on setting up a business, as well as visa and residency requirements. Funding options were also discussed, such as grants, venture capital and public funding programmes at national and EU level.
In the future, these innovative solutions could find their way to Europe and help drive the energy transition here too.