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energy programs

The worldwide transition to sustainable energy would not be possible without innovative startups that are working towards making buildings, cities, mobility, or grids smarter. From energy-efficient houses to AI-powered smart meters to enterprise-grade solutions for solar and wind power, the industry is teeming with exciting opportunities. We have been working in the energy ecosystem since 2013, leveraging its network of mentors and investors to bring the best support for the most promising startups.

Rockstart Smart Energy

Rockstart Smart Energy is a high-intensity program for seed-stage energy startups using data and digital technologies as a driver and enabler. We help startups build, validate and scale their business, find the best product and market fit to grow internationally and get ready for funding.

STATUS: Continuous Track

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Shell New Energy Challenge

The startup competition by Shell that calls for game-changing solutions shaping the energy transition. The winning startup receives €100K and year long business advice from Shell Ventures.

STATUS: Program Complete

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Green Challenge DeepDive

The Postcode Lotteries Green Challenge is one of the largest annual sustainability competitions in the world, with a total of €1 million in combined prize money for the five best start-ups, who also receive over six months of expert coaching by Rockstart to optimize their business opportunities.

STATUS: Applications Open March 1

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alumni

Lightyear

Graduated Green Challenge DeepDive 2017

 

Lightyear: the electric car that charges itself. The mission of Lightyear is to accelerate the introduction of electric cars around the globe. Having closed a Series A round soon after having participated in the Green Challenge DeepDive program, Lightyear is well on its way building the Lightyear One: the company’s first solar electric car that can drive for months without grid-charging or CO2 emissions.

 

The partnership with LeasePlan Netherlands brings the Lightyear One closer to the market and accessible for consumers. Visitors can already discover a real size model of the Lightyear One and experience driving the car through virtual reality.

 

Website

Sympower

Graduated Rockstart Smart Energy 2016

 

Sympower is a demand response aggregator that enables smarter energy use for a carbon-free future. They aim to provide a sustainable solution to fluctuations in energy supply and demand, by aggregating energy consuming systems and appliances onto their cloud-based platform. During moments of stress on the grid, Sympower can temporarily switch on or off the devices locally, without impairing the functionality of the appliances.

 

In September 2017, Sympower raised one million euros from angel investors and investment fund Enfuro Ventures. At the beginning of 2018 Simon Bushell, Co-Founder of Sympower, has been named as both one of the “Forbes 30 under 30” in Europe and as one of the “50 talents under 35” in the Netherlands by the Financieele Dagblad.

 

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SolarCreed

Graduated Rockstart Smart Energy 2017

 

SolarCreed empowers farming communities in Africa to use the most of the sun to grow, preserve, package and distribute food in a sustainable way. SolarCreed achieves this mission by providing next generation solar systems ensuring long-life and usage. Adopting a subscription based business model, SolarCreed is able to remove the upfront cost barrier and provide longer term guarantee of support and performance.

 

SolarCreed was accelerated in Amsterdam at RockStart Smart Energy Accelerator 2017, and has raised €250k in funding. They have made over 220 installations in South Western Nigeria and continue to expand in other territories

 

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