DE
German Energy Agency (dena)

Start Up Energy Transition Award

Awards €10,000 per category to energy-transition startups founded within the last 10 years.

Applicants pick one category and submit a complete application between 1 September and 30 October 2026; a jury ranks and evaluates entries through December, and the top 15 finalists plus the wider SET100 list are announced by February 2027. Winners are chosen per category at a final jury meeting in Berlin and announced at the SET Tech Festival on 17 March 2027, each receiving €10,000 in prize mone

Looking for startups and young companies, founded within the last 10 years, building solutions for the global energy transition across five categories: clean energy and storage, mobility and transportation, industrial decarbonization, buildings and construction, or energy infrastructure and digitalisation. Applicants need a proof of concept plus a client or partner, or a working prototype at TRL 4 or higher.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.30 Oct 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.-

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