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The call for proposals for the SET Award 2027 for innovation in the field of energy transition is open

We are pleased to inform you that applications for the SET Award 2027 (The Start Up Energy Transition Award) are open.

The SET platform is a global innovation platform that supports breakthrough solutions in the field of energy transition. It is based on the belief that a sustainable future is directly linked to innovative business models and political will. In the last ten years, the award has received more than 4,500 applications from more than 100 countries.

In its 11th edition, the SET Award seeks start-ups and scale-ups in the field of energy and climate technologies that develop solutions for the systems, industries and technologies of the future.

Renewed categories for 2027

As challenges change

as the energy transition evolves, the organizers have updated the 2027 call categories. These now better reflect the technologies, infrastructure, and market conditions needed to accelerate the deployment of solutions across the board.

This year, applicants can compete in five categories:

  • Clean Energy &

  • StorageIndustry & Value ChainsBuildings

  • & ConstructionDigital

  • Energy, Markets &

  • EconomyMobility & Transportation

What does collaboration bring?

The SET Award offers innovators the opportunity to gain international visibility, connect with leading investors, corporations and policymakers, and join the global community that is co-creating the energy transition.

Key benefits for applicants:

  • Possibility of inclusion in the prestigious SET100 list for 2027.

  • Free tickets to the SET Tech Festival for selected start-ups.

  • Invitations to exclusive events of global partners.

  • Promotion and media exposure (PR and social networks) within the SET network.

  • For the winners of the five categories: a cash prize of EUR 10,000 (excluding equity-free), a trip to Berlin for two people, an exhibition space at the SET Tech Festival, workshops, a live pitch and meetings with leading investors and corporate representatives.

  • Stronger signal for investors: A new analysis of five past generations of awardees by SET and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has found that inclusion in the SET100 list is associated with a higher likelihood of obtaining venture capital (VC) funding.

Application deadline and more information

Applications are open until 30 November 2026.

Contact for further information:

If you have any questions about applications, please contact the German Energy Agency (Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH – dena):

Deborah Bartel

Expert Startup Ecosystem

Digital

and Startup Ecosystem Department of

Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena), Chausseestr. 128 a, 10115 Berlin

📧 E-mail: Deborah.Bartel@dena.de