Apply Now For Digital Energy Challenge 2024

The search for Africa’s brightest minds in clean energy solutions is underway. The Digital Energy Facility, established in 2021, has commenced applications for the 2024 edition of its Digital Energy Challenge. This annual competition recognizes promising start-ups developing innovative digital technologies poised to revolutionize energy access, grid management, and decarbonization across the continent.

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The Digital Energy Challenge provides a platform for early-stage ventures to gain recognition, connect with potential investors, and effect real-world change.

This year’s challenge focuses on three critical areas:

1.Universal Electricity Access and Mini-Grids: Innovative digital solutions to enhance efficiency, optimize clean energy utilization, and facilitate the integration of productive assets in mini-grids.

2. Efficient Grid Management: Digital tools and services ensuring smooth power grid operation, enhancing information sharing, and streamlining business practices.

3. Resilience and Decarbonization of Power Systems: Digital-based solutions promoting a greener and more reliable power infrastructure, including additional renewable energy capacity, grid stability improvements, and energy savings.

Annually, up to eight winning startups are selected to receive a comprehensive support package valued at €150,000. This package includes:

-Financial Backing: Grant funding to alleviate costs associated with equipment, software, training, and recruitment.

– Expert Guidance: Technical assistance and mentorship opportunities from seasoned professionals to facilitate scaling of innovations.

– Collaborative Bootcamp: A joint program led by cross-sectorial experts supporting project implementation, offering industry insights, fostering collaboration among winners, and encouraging the sharing of best practices.

– Widespread Exposure: AFD spearheads communication campaigns to promote winning startups’ projects during selection, award ceremony, bootcamp, and beyond.

Startups eligible for this challenge must be dynamic companies founded within the past decade, in the early stages of growth, having secured less than €1 million in funding, and generating annual revenue under €1 million.

Moreover, the project itself should align with at least one of the program’s core themes:

• Digital: Utilizing innovative technologies like telecom, computer, or cloud-based solutions.
• Innovative: Intrinsically groundbreaking or a significant leap forward compared to existing solutions in the local market.
• Local: Headquartered or actively managing the project within the target country, fostering a strong local presence.

The application period commenced on March 4, and the final day for submissions is May 15, 2024. The Award Notification and Bootcamp details will be disclosed in Autumn 2024.

Entrepreneurs across Africa with digital solutions for the energy sector are encouraged to apply.

For more information and to apply, visit the Digital Energy Challenge website.