UK energy company EDF energy has launched an exciting new innovation challenge!

by Startacus Admin

UK energy company EDF energy has launched an exciting new innovation challenge!

The EDF Energy Pulse Awards are made up of 4 challenges calling for start-ups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to get on board with energy innovation.

• Blue Lab’s connected home and business challenge

• Inspiring young people into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)

• Data solutions for improving health and safety

• Monitoring and inspection solutions for energy generation assets (in partnership with Innovate UK)

The competition team is searching out innovative ideas which could help to address some of the key challenges facing the UK energy industry.  For startups and innovators, the awards offer the opportunity to access expert support and advice, and attract investment to make their ideas into a reality.

 

EDF Energy Blue Lab’s Connected Home and Business Challenge

Of particular interest to the team here at Startacus HQ is the Blue Lab Connected Home and Business Challenge, which has been created with support from our colleagues at corporate innovation partners L Marks.

The challenge will take place at EDF Energy’s newly launched innovation accelerator ‘Blue Lab’ and will welcome startups that have a focus on making energy customers’ lives easier through innovation.

What is on Offer?

For entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators working within the energy market this could be an excellent opportunity to work with a leading figure from the industry.  Some of the specific things that are included in the Blue Lab’s Connected Home and Business Challenge include:

• The chance to work with energy experts to fast track their ideas to the next stage of development

• Office space in the Blue Lab

• Access to expert mentoring and coaching from L Marks and industry experts

• Potential investment from L Marks and EDF’s own Electranova Capital

• Access to consumer insight

• A cash prize of £30,000 for the top performing startup!
  
  

Who Should Apply?

The Connected Home and Business Challenge is calling for pitches from innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups with ideas in 3 categories.  For ideas which don’t quite fir into these categories but have the potential to improve customer experiences there is also a Wildcard category.

The 3 main challenge categories include:

• Data and display- Ways to help customers understand, interpret and plan their energy use from anywhere.

• Switched on- ideas which allow customers to actively control when and how they use energy,  or to finely tune energy consumption in different parts of their home or small business.

• Customer engagement- this category is about making energy interesting and relevant for customers, as a way of helping to change the way they consume energy.
  
  

Director of Innovation at EDF Energy Jean-Benoit Ritz had this to say about the challenge:

“This is a brilliant opportunity for startups, small companies across the globe to collaborate with EDF Energy and to bring new business ideas to life”

Applications are now open for The Connected Home and Business Challenge, as well as the other challenges within the EDF Energy Pulse Awards.  The closing date is 30th of September, so now is the time to take a look.

Good Luck!

This post was created with support from the team at L Marks.

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Published on: 7th September 2016