Free Electrons

Connecting startups with the world’s leading energy utilities

Free Electrons, the ultimate Open Innovation program

Startups will work alongside leading energy utilities from around the globe to deliver cutting edge solutions and co-create the future of energy. The program will focus on working together to pilot projects, commercially deploy products,  facilitate investment opportunities, learning and development. Join us in accelerating the clean energy transition.

In its 9th edition, utilities and startups have collaborated on over 200 pilots resulting in USD $15million in pilots, $67million in deployments and $36million in direct investment – total deals to date exceed USD $118million.

 
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Our Offer

Why should startups join Free Electrons?

The program includes a series of modules held across the globe (physically and digitally), where startups work closely with The Utilities, local accelerators and experts to refine and test their solution and explore options to jump start their company’s growth.

Each module is structured to facilitate ongoing conversations between startups and utilities to refine value propositions, seed pilot projects, and explore investment opportunities.

Free Electrons offers the chance for startups to:

  • Test Solutions

    Test their solution in the energy sector in partnership with utilities

  • Develop Pilots

    Develop a viable pilot side by side with the utilities

  • Receive Feedback

    Receive input, feedback and insight into their product/service and business

  • Gain Exposure

    Gain exposure to American, European and Asia Pacific markets

  • Build Relationships

    Build relationships within the startup community to share learnings and explore startup-to-startup opportunities

  • Grow Networks

    Grow their networks by immersing themselves in local and global ecosystems

  • Contract and Receive Investment

    Promote their products/solutions and seek investment from utilities. Deals to date exceed USD $118 million

  • Work with Open Innovation experts

    Work with open innovation partner Beta-i on strategy and approach

  • Access Mentors & Experts

    Access a global pool of mentors and experts matched to their unique requirements

OUR CHALLENGES

Challenge yourself with Free Electrons

We envision a future where smart, clean and accessible energy will transform every aspect of our lives. To achieve this vision, we seek to join forces with startups who are dedicated to driving change.

The Utilities are committed to supporting startups that can reshape the energy market with next-generation ideas. We are looking for startups that have secured funding, developed a working prototype, and gained valuable experience along the way – companies with whom we can grow and learn together.

Free Electrons is tackling several challenges in the energy sector by embracing innovative solutions. The selected startups for Free Electrons 2025 will address these critical areas.

Learn more details about the categories of solutions we’re looking for.

  • Next Generation Renewables iconNext Generation Renewables
  • Energy management and data iconEnergy Management/Data
  • Asset Optimisation iconAsset Optimisation
  • Thermal Solutions iconThermal Solutions
  • Grid Planning, Optimisation and Stability iconGrid Planning, Optimisation and Stability
  • Energy Storage iconEnergy Storage
  • Connected and Engaged Customers iconConnected & Engaged Customers (B2B and B2C)
  • Mobility and Transport iconMobility & Transport Electrification
  • Other iconOther
“
If you want to grow your business, and get it out there to lots of customers across the globe, then go for it and submit an application.

Nicholas Woolley

ev.energy
“
It’s absolutely worth it, you learn a lot in just a very short amount of time.

Marcel Smit

Energyworx
“
Its quite important for our core strategy, to get in touch with The Utilities but it’s also quite important to meet with the other startups and companies to build our ecosystem.

Thorsten Heller

Greenbird Integration Technology
“
Talking to senior executives from the largest utilities around the world, developing close personal relationships and leveraging those to get real deals done.

Yoav Lurie

Simple Energy
“
We’ve connected into this amazing network of startup companies, we’ve also had the opportunity to meet some of the most innovative utilities in the world.

Sara Bell

Tempus Energy
“
We benefited mostly from the honesty and the candid answers that the utilities gave us.

Michael Shalyt

Aperio
“
We have made great friends and we have developed a proposition that is now really answering a need and we understand the challenges the utilities are facing.

Louise Rogerson

Howz
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The Utilities share their perspectives on why Free Electrons works

“
Opening up the utility world to the startups, providing them with a global customer base, accelerating deal execution with the utilities, that’s what Free Electrons is all about. I can’t think of a better opportunity for a startup operating in this space.

Luis Manuel

Executive Board Member,
EDP Innovation
“
Origin sees the enormous potential of combining the best ideas with those companies capable of delivering them at significant scale. By leveraging all the expertise of the many partners involved we are confident extraordinary outcomes will be reached.

Anthony Lucas

Executive General Manager, Future Energy and Business Development,
Origin Energy
“
It's a perfect match - smart startup ideas meet a transforming corporate that is re-inventing itself and has established lean and agile structures that speak “startup” and “corporate” language alike. We can help startups scale fast; startups can help us with the best possible products. We go outside to innovate from within.

Stefan Padberg

Managing Director,
E.ON Innovation Co-investments Inc
“
The Free Electrons Accelerator Program enables CLP to work with some of the world’s smartest and most dynamic innovators on solutions to 21st century, digital energy challenges. With our industry leadership across Asia Pacific markets spanning Greater China to Australia, CLP is excited by the opportunity to partner with the best startups to create transformative new energy technologies and applications for individuals, businesses, cities and governments.

David Simmonds

Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Governance Officer,
CLP Holdings Limited
“
At ESB we are driven to make a difference and have committed to bringing new cutting edge solutions to our customer base. Since its first edition the Free Electrons program has afforded ESB the opportunity to work with the world’s leading energy start-ups. The relationships and connections made during the program help us to innovate and collaborate in order to meet our ambitious goal of Net Zero by 2040.

Marguerite Sayers

Deputy CEO,
ESB
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