EDP has just launched the seventh edition of Energy Starter, the programme created with the mission of joining energy sector startups to EDP specialists, to develop innovative solutions in the sector. In this edition, the program was rethought to maximize the productivity of the relationship between startups and EDP's business units. Therefore, it will be divided into three specialized acceleration modules - Networks of the Future, Renewable Energies and Client Solutions. Applications for the first module of this edition, Future Grids, are open until June 1, through theprogramme's website.

In this first cycle, startups from all over the world are invited to present innovative solutions related to new energy networks, network management and operation, market interaction, customer experience, asset management, smart cities, among others. After the application and evaluation process, the selected startups will participate in a bootcamp developed in partnership with Beta-i. For four months, they will work together with EDP to develop pilot projects. These teams will also have access to a wide range of mentors and experts who will support the development of relevant proofs of concept and will also have the expertise of EDP Ventures.

Every four months, the programme will move on to the next module, thus covering the entire EDP value chain. The second module will focus on renewable energy - an area in which EDP has the ambitious goal of developing an additional 20GW by 2025 - and hydrogen. The last module will focus on client solutions and mobility, where the aim is to identify and develop solutions targeted at consumers, facilitating the transition to electric mobility and the adoption of distributed generation solutions. The programme will end in an event where the solutions developed in the various modules will be shared with the ecosystem.

"This year's edition of Energy Starter is disruptive in the way EDP has been evolving its open innovation programmes. We are launching three phases that will allow us to go deeper in the search for solutions for each of our strategic pillars," states Luís Manuel, director of EDP Innovation.

Throughout the six editions already held, more than 150 startups have participated in Energy Starter, having carried out more than 80 deals (pilots, rollouts, and investments). In the last edition, the programme received more than 700 applications.

Programme website: Edition 2022 - Landing | STARTER Business Acceleration (theenergystarter.com)