Energy Sector startups sought for EDF Energy’s 2019 Pulse Innovation Challenge

by Startacus Admin

From solutions for businesses and consumers transitioning to electric vehicles, to innovative ideas to accelerate the electric future through emerging AI, EDF Energy’s innovation accelerator, Blue Lab are on the hunt for startups, innovators and entrepreneurs with the best new ideas that could spark innovation in the energy sector.

Part of EDF Group’s Pulse Awards, the 2019 Pulse Innovation Challenge will offer young companies with the best ideas, the chance to gain expert support and advice, as well as attract investment, to help develop their concepts for the mass market.

Blue Lab, are on the lookout for entries to fit key areas of focus for the organisation:

• Electric Vehicles – products and ideas for businesses and consumers transitioning to electric vehicles

• Improving Customers’ Lives - innovations to make life better for EDF Energy customers

• Electric future through Artificial Intelligence - Solutions to accelerate the electric future and make EDF Energy the supplier of choice through emerging AI.

• Wildcard - Fresh ideas outside the scope of the other three categories but which still fit with the EDF Energy brand and have the potential to energise the sector.

Jean-Benoit Ritz, Director of Innovation and Blue Lab, said: “This challenge offers the most innovative start-ups a unique gateway into the world of energy to help us, jointly, deliver a powerful future for the benefit of society. EDF Energy has a strong history of promoting innovation and we want to ensure we continue to gain a fresh perspective by collaborating with an even wider range of young companies.”

Short-listed organisations will work closely with the company over a 12-week period, with mentoring from senior leaders within EDF Energy and access to experts. They will be given an opportunity to validate their products, trial and test them in live environments to gain valuable customer feedback and consumer insights, and gain free office space at IDEALondon, an innovation centre in the heart of London’s Tech City, run by EDF Energy, Cisco and UCL Engineering.

The challenge also gives startups the chance to gain investment from EDF Energy, along with a £10k cash prize for one overall winner.

The challenge is the third run in partnership with L Marks, the UK’s largest network of corporate accelerators, who have to date collaborating with some of the world’s best-known brands, including BMW, Lloyd's of London, Arsenal FC, and British Airways.

Previous winners of the challenge include Powervault – a British company that designs and manufactures smart energy storage systems for the home which store solar energy and cheap electricity from the grid to reduce household energy bills and increase energy efficiency – and smart home monitoring system, Howz, which supports independent living.

Louise Rogerson, Chief Operating Officer at Howz, said: “Working with EDF Energy has been a great opportunity for us. Our partnership has provided access to a broad customer base, along with their ongoing support and expertise.”

To read over all the key details, T&Cs, timescales for the 2019 programme and to apply, visit Energy Pulse Innovation Challenge 2019.

Applications close 21st May 2019.

Best of luck and we look forward to seeing which ideas spark the interest of the Blue Lab team.

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Published on: 9th May 2019