EDP is launching this week the third and last module of Energy Starter, its collaborative innovation program, which aims to discover startups and fast-growing technology companies (scaleups) and present them to EDP specialists from all over the world. After a first module focused on energy grids and a second dedicated to renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, this third module is now looking for companies in the areas of mobility and customer solutions.

The main goal of Energy Starter, which is already in its 7th edition, is to find and promote projects with innovative solutions that contribute to accelerate the energy transition on a global scale. Comprising three phases, which take place every four months, the program seeks to respond to various challenges in the energy sector and in alignment with areas that are also strategic for EDP.

In the first phase, the focus was on the energy grids of the future and aimed to leverage the existing distribution network infrastructure with innovative solutions. This was followed by the module dedicated to renewable energies and green hydrogen in which EDP sought solutions that, on the one hand, help consolidate its renewable energy installed capacity goals – where it is already a world leader – and, on the other hand, contribute to energy transition in sectors where this process is more difficult, through a commitment to hydrogen.

This latest stage of Energy Starter now focuses on client solutions and mobility, with the ambition of supporting EDP customers in their decarbonization and carbon neutrality efforts – a process that involves developing solutions and promoting their adoption in the transition to electric mobility and distributed energy generation, areas that are also strategic for EDP.

EDP currently has more than 3,500 charging points in operation or under development in the Iberian electric mobility network, as well as several private charging solutions and innovation projects linked to mobility, such as smart charging or vehicle-to-grid technology. In distributed solar, the company has customers in Europe, Asia, Brazil and the United States and a portfolio of over 1.6 GW for families and companies.

Applications for this third module run until 12th March and can be made on the program's website. After the evaluation process, the selected startups participate in a bootcamp in Lisbon between 26th and 28th June, when they can present their proposals and work on pilot projects together with experts from different business areas of the EDP group who will advise them and help them develop their businesses. In the two previous modules, the bootcamps took place first in Oviedo (Spain) and then in Houston (USA).

At the end of the Energy Starter edition, the startups will also have the opportunity to test their solution in the energy sector, in partnership with EDP, in the different geographies where the group is present, as well as have access to potential financial support and know-how from EDP Ventures. The program ends with an Open Day, on 29th June, where the projects developed over the last few months will be presented to the global innovation and energy ecosystem.

Developing and finding innovative solutions for the energy sector has been a pillar of the EDP group that, by 2025, intends to invest €1 billion in innovation. EDP has teams dedicated to Startup Engagement and Ventures (venture capital) in some of its main markets and is dedicated to the development of Open Innovation, making part of its innovation ecosystem dozens of startups, academic partners, among others.
Over the last six editions, Energy Starter has empowered more than 160 innovative startups, having carried out more than 80 deals (from pilot projects, rollouts and investments). In the last edition of the program, EDP received more than 700 applications.

EDP ENERGY STARTER – 3rd module

How to apply: on the Energy Starter website
Until 12th March 2023
Areas: Customer solutions and mobility
Find out more inwww.theenergystarter.com
Bootcamp: Lisbon, 26-28 June 2023
Open day: Lisbon, 29 June 2023