SET Award 2026\n\nThe application phase is closed!\n\nThe climate tech start-up competition that brings your sustainable energy solutions to the world stage. And guess what? Your equity stays intact.\n\nSET the pace. SET the future!\n\n## Celebrating 10 Years of Energy & Climate Tech Start-up Innovation\n\nFor ten years, the SET Award has been recognising the world’s most pioneering energy & climate tech start-ups driving the energy transition forward. We are celebrating a decade of disruptive solutions, visionary founders and global impact. Now it’s your chance to become part of this thriving start-up innovation community.\n\n- 10 Years\n- 4000+ Innovations\n- 100+ Countries\n- 97 Finalists\n- 47 Winners\n\nImages: photothek/Jule Sonntag\n\n## We want to showcase your unique technology & sustainable innovation!\n\nThe Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Award is the ultimate sustainability start-up competition that empowers climate tech innovators and clean energy start-ups 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.\n\nTen years of the SET Award mean ten years of pioneers in the energy transition: start-ups that develop breakthrough technologies, transform markets and accelerate the global Climate Tech movement.\n\n## The 2026 SET Award Categories\n\n### Clean Energy & Storage\nClean 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!\nTake a look at the 2025 finalists\n\n### Industry\nThe 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!\nTake a look at the 2025 finalists\n\n### Buildings & Construction\nBuildings aren’t just structures—they’re where we live, work, and thrive. We need start-ups that can redefine how we build, with energy-efficient materials and smarter systems. Can your innovation shape sustainable spaces for tomorrow? Show us!\nTake a look at the 2025 finalists\n\n### Quality Energy Access & SDG-7\nIf changing lives through clean energy is your mission–this is your moment. We’re on the hunt for start-ups bringing affordable, reliable, and sustainable power to communities most affected by climate change. You in?\nTake a look at the 2025 finalists\n\n### Mobility & Transportation\nThe road to a greener future starts here. From electric vehicles to digital mobility innovations, we’re seeking bold start-ups transforming how we move people and goods. If you’re driving sustainability and cutting energy use, let’s roll!\nTake a look at the 2025 finalists\n\n## Meet the Global Energy Leaders Jury\n\nBehind one of the world’s longest-running climate tech start-up competitions stands an interdisciplinary and international jury of world-class experts in energy, business, finance, and technology. Each year they select the top start-ups in each category. The current jury is not yet final, as we are still in the selection process, and additional members may be announced until the end of October.\n\nCorinna Enders – CEO, German Energy Agency (dena)\nCorinna 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.\nRead more\n\nMichael Hackethal – Head of Division | Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy\nMichael has been working with the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy 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 BMWE 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.\nRead more\n\nFelix Krause – Partner, Vireo Ventures GmbH\nWith 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.\nRead more\n\nJulia Padberg – Partner, SET Ventures\nJulia 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.\nRead more\n\nLuis Sperr – Managing Partner, kopa ventures\nLuis 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.\nLuis 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.\nRead more\n\nPavina Adunratanasee – Founder at Recalibrate Climate\nPavina 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.\nPrior 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.\nPavina 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.\nPavina 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.\nRead more\n\nAndreas Kuhlmann – Initiator SET\nAndreas 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. Until end of 2025 he was CTO/COO in charge of operations and all issues around Energy, climate change and CleanTech at Christ&Company.\nRead more\n\nDr. Anne-Kathrin Hinze – Investment Manager, DeepTech & Climate Fonds\nAnne 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.\nAnne 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.\nRead more\n\nGary Soleiman – Manager, Global Partnerships at Startup Nation Central\nGary 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.\nRead more\n\nMarie-Line Vaiani – Secretary General, French Committee of the World Energy Council\nMarie-Line Vaiani is since January 2023 Secretary General of the Conseil Français de l’Énergie, the French committee of the World Energy Council (WEC).\nIn 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.\nInternationally, 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.\nShe 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.\nRead more\n\nFreerk Bisschop – Venture Partner, Inven Capital\nFreerk 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.\nRead more\n\nJane Wu – Executive Director, Venture Cup\nJane 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.\nBefore returning to her hometown, she has over ten years international management experiences in USA, Europe and Hong Kong.\nRead more\n\nGlory Oguegbu – Founder & CEO, Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI)\nGlory Oguegbu is an Obama Scholar, award-winning climate specialist, energy-transition entrepreneur, and author promoting clean, renewable energy access. As founder and CEO of the Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI) and the RETTI Virtual University for Energy Education, she drives workforce development to deliver sustainable electricity to 600 million Africans. Under her leadership, RETTI has trained over 4,200 engineers and provided solar power to 25,000 homes and businesses.\nGlory founded The Africa Fellowship for Young Energy Leaders which has invested in 210 engineers across the Engineering, Finance and Economics of hydropower, offshore wind, solar, and bioenergy technologies. To advance local manufacturing, she established RETTI Energy Innovations Company and its flagship Solar Panel Factory, creating jobs, improving access, and reducing reliance on imports. Author of five Africa-focused books on climate and energy transition, her climate education toolkits have reached 60,000 students and 123,000 community members. She also founded the Climate Leadership Fellowship and has held 6 cohorts adopted and funded by Access Bank, Nigeria, empowering 200 youths.\nRead more\n\nDavid Arinze – Senior Portfolio Officer, Energy Transition Challenge Funds (ETCF)\nDavid Arinze is an Electrical Engineer, Innovator, and Energy Policy Expert with over a decade of experience advancing renewable energy solutions in Nigeria and internationally. He currently serves as the Senior Portfolio Officer, Energy Transition Challenge Funds (ETCF) at the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), where he leads the management of a dynamic portfolio of renewable energy companies driving energy access for households and institutional clients.\nRead more\n\nAnn Mettler – Co-Chair, Energy Resilience Leadership Group\nAnn has more than 25 years of experience in public policy, working at the intersection of technology, innovation, investment and industrial policy.\nFrom 2020-2025, she served as Vice President Europe at Breakthrough Energy, an organization founded by Bill Gates. In March 2025, the organization decided to discontinue its policy work and Ann is currently in the process of winding down Breakthrough’s Europe operation.\nFrom 2014-2019, Ann was Director-General and Head of the European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC), the European Commission’s in-house think tank. In 2016, the EPSC was named ‘Best New Think Tank’ by the Global Go-To Think Tank Index. In 2017-2019, it was ranked in the global top ten ‘Government-Affiliated Think Tanks’.\nIn 2025, Ann was recognized as one of the TOP 100 Europe’s Women in Startups and VCs, and in 2019, Politico named her as one of the top five women shaping Brussels.\nPreviously, Ann was Executive Director of The Lisbon Council, a Brussels-based knowledge economy think tank. Ms. Mettler co-founded the organization in 2003. From 2000-2003, Ann worked at the World Economic Forum, where she last served as Director for Europe. Prior to this appointment, she was responsible for the WEF’s activities in the United States and Canada. From 1997-2000, Ms. Mettler held positions on the Governmental Affairs Committee of the United States Senate, a strategic advisory firm in Washington, DC and the foreign policy division of the European Commission, Brussels.\nAnn has been widely published and quoted in key media outlets, such as the FT, Politico, The Economist, Wall Street Journal and New York Times. She has provided analysis of current affairs on CNBC, Bloomberg TV and BBC, and is a frequent speaker at high-level conferences.\nA dual citizen of Germany and Sweden, Ann has lived and worked in Greece, the United States, Switzerland and Belgium. She holds Masters degrees in political science and European law and economics, and graduated with distinction from University of New Mexico, USA, and Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University in Bonn, Germany. In 2016, Ann completed the executive education program ‘Innovative Technology Leader’ at Stanford Graduate School of Business.\nRead more\n\nDavid Wortmann – Founder & managing director, DWR Eco\nDavid 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.\nRead more\n\nDr. Isabelle Canu – Partner, GET Fund\nIsabelle/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.\nPreviously, 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.\nShe studied International Relations at Sciences Po in Paris and holds a PhD from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich.\nRead more\n\nUlderico Ulissi – Principal – Head of Global Climate Ventures, CATL\nUlderico leads CATL investment in early stage climate tech startups outside China. Before, he worked as a head technologist in downstream market analysis and consulting, led battery technology research in Nissan Europe, and led product development in a next-generation battery startup. He has a PhD in electrochemistry from Karlsruhe University in Germany.\nRead more\n\nRobina von Stein – Investor, Contrarian Ventures\nRobina 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.\nRobina holds an MSc in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy from the University of Zurich and ETH and recently joined the advisory board at dena.\nRead more\n\nJanayna Bhering Cardoso – Executive coordinator of PNME & Business Development at Fundep\nEngineer 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.\nShe 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.\nRead more\n\nVeronika Brandmeier – Head of UnternehmerTUM Energy\nVeronika Brandmeier has been head of the Energy division at UnternehmerTUM since August 2025. The aim of UnternehmerTUM Energy is to promote new business models and technologies for a resilient, decarbonised and affordable energy system. To this end, start-ups and established players in the energy industry are brought together to jointly develop and implement practical solutions.\nPrior to this, Veronika spent eight years at the electric mobility and energy service provider The Mobility House, most recently as Head of Corporate Strategy.