Start Up Energy Transition (SET)

What Start Up Energy Transition (SET) does

Start Up Energy Transition (SET) is a Berlin-based, non-profit global innovation platform organized as an initiative of the German Energy Agency (dena). It serves energy and climate-tech startups, venture and growth investors, innovation-driven corporates, and public-sector policymakers by curating deal-flow and convening the ecosystem around a recurring annual cycle of activities. The platform has been running continuously for a decade and has aggregated more than 4,500 startup applications from over 100 countries across that period.

SET's product surface is built around three pillars: the SET Award, an annual competition for energy and climate-tech startups; the SET Tech Festival, an annual flagship event (the 2026 edition marked the 10th anniversary and was hosted at the Colosseum in Berlin on 17 March 2026); and SET Spotlights, which combines the SET100 database of selected startups with a dedicated Newsroom. In 2026, SET also launched the SET Network, a year-round online platform built in partnership with Innoloft that extends the in-person Award and Festival into a continuous digital community for matchmaking and content distribution.

SET's business model is structured as a non-profit initiative rather than a revenue-generating company. The initiative is financed through dena, through partnership and sponsorship arrangements with corporate and institutional partners (including E.ON, EnBW, Siemens, Shell, TotalEnergies, Vattenfall, Microsoft, the European Space Agency, European Investment Bank, IEA, IRENA, SEforALL, and GIZ), through event participation fees, and through supporting organizations. The organization operates with a small team of approximately eight employees and has no disclosed revenue, making the parent-entity sponsorship base the dominant funding mechanism.

Name

Start Up Energy Transition (SET)

Legal name

Start Up Energy Transition (SET)

Website

https://startup-energy-transition.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Start Up Energy Transition (SET) is a Berlin-based, non-profit global innovation platform run as an initiative of the German Energy Agency (dena) that connects energy and climate-tech startups with investors, corporates, and policymakers through an annual award, a tech festival, and the SET100 database.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Innovation Platform

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUABAEAJ

Benchmarking, Ratings & Stakeholder Reporting Portals (Scorecards, Dashboards)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/Carbon Accounting, Reporting & Climate Data Platforms (GHG Inventories, ESG/Disclosure)

SECONDARYEUABAEAF

Climate Target-Setting, Transition Planning & Performance Management Platforms

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/Carbon Accounting, Reporting & Climate Data Platforms (GHG Inventories, ESG/Disclosure)

Keywords

• Clean energy innovation
• Climate tech startups
• Energy transition platform
• Startup award programs
• Sustainability ecosystem

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Platform Services & Partnerships: SET operates as a platform connecting startups with investors, corporates, policy makers, and public organisations. Revenue is derived from partnership arrangements with sponsors, supporting organizations, and event participation fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SET is a global innovation platform that supports energy and climate tech startups through three pillars: the annual SET Award competition (5 categories, €10,000 cash prize per category winner), the annual SET Tech Festival in Berlin, and the SET Spotlights (SET100 List, SET100 Database, and SET Newsroom). The platform connects startups with investors, corporates, policy makers, and public organizations, and has received 4,500+ applications from 100+ countries over the last 10 years. It is powered by the German Energy Agency (dena).

Product overview

Start Up Energy Transition (SET) is a global innovation platform powered by the German Energy Agency (dena) that supports innovation in energy & climate tech for the global energy transition. The platform consists of three core pillars: (1) SET Award - an annual international competition for start-ups in energy transition with 5 categories and €10,000 prizes per winner; (2) SET Tech Festival - an annual one-day event connecting start-ups, corporates, policy makers, and investors; and (3) SET Spotlights - which includes the SET100 Database and Newsroom featuring articles, videos, and insights on energy & climate tech. The SET100 List is an annual compilation of the 100 most innovative energy and climate tech start-ups, from which the 5 SET Award winners are selected. The SET Network Online Platform (powered by Innoloft) provides an additional matchmaking and networking tool for the ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SET Award: Annual international competition for start-ups and young companies innovating for the global energy transition across five categories
• SET Tech Festival
• SET Spotlights
• SET100 List

Products and services

• SET Award Annual international competition for start-ups and young companies innovating for the global energy transition, structured in 5 categories (Clean Energy & Storage, Mobility & Transportation, Industry, Buildings & Construction, Quality Energy Access & SDG-7). Each category winner receives a €10,000 cash prize. Over 10 years the award has received more than 4,500 applications from 100+ countries.
• SET Tech Festival Annual one-day event in Berlin bringing together innovators shaping the future of energy: the best start-ups in energy and climate tech, innovation-driven corporates, policy makers, investors, and public organisations. The 10th edition was held on March 17, 2026 at Colosseum Berlin and includes panels, keynotes, workshops, and pitch sessions on topics such as critical energy infrastructures, grid-to-network transition, and funding opportunities.
• SET Spotlights (Newsroom & SET100 publications) Ongoing content pillar featuring articles, videos, posts, insights, SET100 publications, and event coverage from the energy and climate tech world. Spotlights the successes and challenges of SET start-ups and other trending topics valuable to the global energy transition.
• SET100 List Annual list of 100 of the most innovative energy and climate tech start-ups, compiled from SET Award applicants and presented jointly by the German Energy Agency (dena) and the World Energy Council. From this group, 5 outstanding innovators are honored with the SET Award in the five transformative categories. The list amplifies visibility and connects selected start-ups to a global network of partners, experts, and investors.
• SET100 Database Comprehensive searchable database of all SET100 List companies across multiple years (2017–2026), providing a directory of innovative energy and climate tech start-ups recognized by the SET initiative. Used by investors and corporates as a reference for innovation scouting.
• SET Network Online Platform Free intelligent online platform powered by Innoloft that allows start-ups to promote their company and meet potential partners. Established companies and investors gain access to hundreds of innovative energy start-ups. Features include personalized feeds, business contact requests, intelligent matching, and messenger functionality.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500+ applications received from 100+ countries in 10 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, minor, gold and silver.

• German Energy Agency (dena)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partnerdena is the powering force behind SET, providing institutional backing, governmental credibility, and operational support. SET is implemented as dena's global innovation platform for energy and climate tech.
• World Energy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launched in 2017 to present the SET100 List and support the global energy transition initiative with international network and expertise.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner for SET Tech Festival 2026; hosts workshops on space-based applications supporting energy sector; powers Critical Energy Infrastructures panel.
• European Innovation CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Ann Mettler participates in keynotes and panels at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• IRENA – Innovation and Technology CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeputy Director Norela Constanternescu participates in The Global Energy Race panel at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• International Energy AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy Technology Analyst Simon Bennett participates in panels at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior Director Anita Otubu delivers keynote at SET Tech Festival 2026; focus on universal energy access and SDG-7.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership enabling impact of innovators; hosts sessions at Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts workshop on unlocking business success through IP at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts ESA BASS Funding Opportunities workshop at SET Tech Festival 2026 on space-based applications for energy sector.
• PLAN-B NET ZEROgoldGTM or Marketing PartnerGold partner for SET Tech Festival 2026; powers Deep Dive session on From Grid to Network.
• Swedish Energy AgencygoldGTM or Marketing PartnerGold partner for SET Tech Festival 2026; country partnership supporting Swedish energy innovations.
• VERBUND XgoldGTM or Marketing PartnerGold partner for SET Tech Festival 2026; corporate innovation perspective in energy transition.
• E.ONsilverStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner for SET Tech Festival 2026; major European energy company driving innovation.
• EnBW AGsilverStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner for SET Tech Festival 2026; innovation management participation.
• SiemensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate participant at SET Tech Festival 2026 representing industrial innovation.
• MicrosoftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner participating at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• VattenfallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean energy company participating at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• 50HertzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman transmission system operator participating at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• TenneT TSOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean transmission system operator participating at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• InnoloftcoreTechnology or IntegrationPowers the SET Network online platform enabling startups to promote and meet potential partners; provides intelligent matching and messenger functionality.
• Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry providing official support for SET initiative; powers workshops at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• Berlin PartnersilverStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner; Berlin's economic development agency supporting startups and innovation ecosystem.
• SpinLabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeipzig-based startup hub and innovation ecosystem partner at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• Impact HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of innovation hubs participating at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• Smart>Green AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen technology accelerator program partner at SET Tech Festival 2026.
• Enterprise Europe NetworksilverStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner; hosts pitch sessions and provides European business support network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cleantech Group: Established cleantech research, data, and events firm (Cleantech Forum, i3). Comparable as a long-standing ecosystem builder in climate/cleantech, though operating more as a research and events business rather than a startup competition platform.

Direct peers

• Greentown Labs: Largest US-based cleantech incubator, running accelerator cohorts and community programs for climate and energy startups. Directly comparable as a curated energy/climate tech startup platform providing visibility, networking, and corporate connections.
• Creative Destruction Lab (Climate Stream): Canada-based accelerator with a dedicated climate-tech stream supporting science-based and climate-aligned startups. Comparable as a structured program combining cohort-based support, networking, and visibility within the climate transition ecosystem.
• EIT InnoEnergy: Europe's flagship sustainable energy accelerator/investor, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Directly comparable as a European energy transition innovation platform that connects startups with corporates, investors, and policy stakeholders, though it also deploys capital.
• Plug and Play (Sustainability & Energy vertical): Global startup accelerator and innovation platform with dedicated sustainability/energy verticals. Comparable as an enterprise-focused platform running cohorts, partner matching, and demo days for energy and climate tech startups, with broader scale and venture backing.
• Elemental Excelerator: US-based climate tech accelerator funding and supporting startups across energy, mobility, and built environment. Comparable in mission (energy transition startup support), with the key distinction of deploying larger checks versus SET's prize-and-visibility model.
• ClimateLaunchpad: Global green business ideas competition operating in 60+ countries, with national and international rounds culminating in a global final. Directly comparable as a global competition platform surfacing early-stage clean energy and climate ventures, similar to SET's award model.
• Techstars Sustainability: Techstars' sustainability-focused accelerator programs (e.g., Techstars Sustainability). Comparable as a structured accelerator providing visibility and corporate connections to climate/energy startups, with deeper capital deployment than SET's prize model.

Regional players

• Cyclotron: European cleantech startup hub and accelerator, primarily active across Belgium and the EU. Comparable as a European energy/climate tech ecosystem builder connecting startups with corporates and investors, though more regionally concentrated than SET's global scope.
• Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAI) Innovation Programs: Ireland's national sustainable energy authority running innovation and accelerator support programs. Comparable as a government-backed energy innovation platform, though nationally focused rather than globally scoped like SET.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StartUpGET
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/start-up-energy-transition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Start Up Energy Transition (SET)