The energy transition leads to rapidly increasing fundamental changes in the energy industry. Adopting new solutions alongside traditional ones requires both courage and an understanding of the opportunities presented by emerging technologies. The Network trade fair and Grid.vc are bringing these new innovations into the spotlight through an innovation challenge and a dedicated Smart Network exhibition area for startup companies.
The Smart Network innovation challenge seeks solutions that ensure reliable and efficient operation of energy networks during the energy transition. Successful innovations in the competition are expected to have significant international business potential and impact on the transformation of the energy system.
Finalists of the innovation challenge will have the opportunity to present their business ideas to an expert audience at the Network trade fair on January 22–23, 2025, and discuss potential investments with the venture capitalists represented on the competition jury. The winner will be selected during the final round based on combined scores from the audience and the jury, with the announcement taking place on January 23, 2025.
The jury consists of Finland’s leading energy sector venture capitalists and representatives from the energy industry. All participants will receive feedback from the jury, with finalists receiving individualized coaching to further develop and commercialize their innovative solutions. Additionally, the visibility gained by the finalists at Finland’s largest network industry event provides an excellent opportunity to quickly scale their business to market.
Register for the competition if you have a new business idea that brings significant added value to energy networks. In line with the theme of the Network trade fair, the competition particularly emphasizes innovations that help energy networks improve their efficiency and ensure the safe distribution of energy in a rapidly changing energy system.
The competition is intended for innovative companies that are developing or commercializing their first product or service.
The innovation challenge and Smart Network area are now open for entries by start-up companies. All you need is an innovation that improves the efficiency, reliability or safety of networks.
To apply, please fill out the attached entry form, and we also encourage you to submit presentation slides and/or a pitch video of up to five minutes in length.
Please fill in the entry form here before November 15th.
In addition to the entry form below, we encourage you to submit a pitch deck and/or video pitch (max 5 minutes) to info@grid.vc.
Tuomas Oksanen
tuomas.oksanen@grid.vc
+358 50 444 720