We will never stop creating a better energy world. That’s why The Grid Startup Challenge returns for yet another year, opening its doors for the innovators of tomorrow! 

This year, however, there’ll be a special highlight: all German distribution system operators of E.ON will come together under one roof to make a big impact for the future - together with you!

We are looking for startups with innovative solutions, technologies and business models that want to take a lead in the energy future.

The company with the solution that best solves the corporate's challenge will receive a paid pilot project with the respective system operator. 

Knowledge transfer is one of the core tasks in today's world, which is characterised by its complexity. That is why we are looking for new (digital) forms of knowledge transfer, especially experiential knowledge. 

We search for innovative approaches that can collect knowledge efficiently (e.g. gamification, nudging elements, voice control), and manage as well as transfer it to employees in a targeted way, such as through AR or AI based recommendation functions.

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects and makes the world around us more intelligent and responsive. We want to use this chance and are looking for IoT-based applications in the fields of sensor technology or smart cities.

Our goal is to find new ways of monitoring and tracking data, which can be used especially for measuring environmental data (e.g. CO2), low-voltage grids, or for providing innovative monitoring services in real estate in addition to submetering (e.g. room temperature or humidity).

Autonomous robot systems can reduce the amount of work for grid maintenance extensively. 

We need you to find approaches for (semi-) autonomous robot systems that can carry out inspection and repair work on the grid infrastructure, and facilitate work with high health, safety and environmental risks.

We aim to make work even safer and look for approaches that can prevent all kinds of accidents on the grid.

We are searching for startups that have solutions for new forms of protective clothing, wearables or assistance systems. We are also seeking new ways to prevent accidents or make DICE-training easier to implement. 

We use water every day, yet flowing water in pipelines is not used as an energy source. 

We want to change this by making full use of all resources available. That is why we are looking for new approaches (e.g. micro turbines) that can produce regenerative electricity, especially in down pipes.

We like to be surprised and look forward to any kind of ideas that can change tomorrow for better!

We can hardly wait to hear your innovative solutions.

Join the community of innovators and stay up to date on the latest news about the future of energy.