Work with Shell to shape the energy transition via the New Energy Challenge

Potential Pilot, Shell GameChanger Programme, access to Shell Ventures network, expert coaching by Rockstart and YES!Delft Deadline passed

“The world’s energy system is going through a complex transition to meet the targets set in the Paris Agreement. Start-ups and scale-ups have a key role to play in driving this transition.”

 

 

 

The New Energy Challenge is a start-up competition, jointly organized by Shell Ventures, Rockstart, YES!Delft and Get in the Ring. The competition is designed for entrepreneurs in Europe and Israel who are developing advanced technologies and disruptive solutions that could be vital in accelerating the energy transition and will shape the low-carbon energy infrastructure of the future.

 

In the coming decade, the world will need an increasing amount of energy to meet the growing demand that is required to ensure the quality of life for people across the world. At the same time, we need to lower our CO2 emissions to tackle climate change. An energy carrier that can significantly accelerate the energy transition is hydrogen. Besides hydrogen, other sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels such as ammonia, advanced biofuels, and synthetic fuels also possess the ability to reshape the current fuel market. Together with fuels, the chemicals industry also holds much potential for decarbonisation.

The deadline for this Challenge has passed, please check out our other Challenges

The Challenge

The New Energy Challenge 2020 calls for European and Israeli startups and scaleups to come forward and work with Shell, and its partners Rockstart, YES!Delft and Get in the Ring, to make a material difference in the new energies space. The competition provides two tracks, one for startups and one for scaleups, thereby offering companies with different levels of maturity collaboration possibilities, coaching, expertise, and access to the Shell network. We’re looking for innovative hardware, production processes, and underlying digital solutions in the following domains:

Hydrogen

The New Energy Challenge is looking for solutions that can fast track the adoption of hydrogen, including novel low-carbon production methods, compression or liquefaction technologies, storage solutions, supply chain tracking software, novel user-centric services and business models.

Future Fuels

We are looking for solutions that can reduce emissions and can be used within the existing infrastructure or provide a step-change improvement to justify new refuelling infrastructure. Interesting solutions are, for example, sustainable ammonia production, direct ammonia fuel cells, novel routes to produce and distribute waste-based advanced biofuels and synthetic fuels, power-to-liquids technology and renewable natural gas process applications.

Sustainable Chemicals

We are looking for ‘low carbon intensity’ solutions which are relevant to Shell’s current product portfolio. These may include feedstock or product substitutions, novel routes or unit operations, as well as digital solutions such as predictive analytics for production improvement and transparent supply chain tracking.

What's in it for you

Track 1 - Startups

  • Access to Shell’s GameChanger programme (including seed funding)

  • € 100.000 for proof of concept when entering GameChanger

  • Intensive Validation Lab designed by YES!Delft

  • Access to Shell’s network and experts

  • Access to YES!Delft’s network and experts

What's in it for you

Track 2 - Scaleups

  • Pilot design and potential execution with Shell Ventures and Shell’s Hydrogen, New Fuels or Chemicals business

  • Training and coaching designed by Rockstart

  • Access to Shell’s network and experts

  • Access to Rockstart’s network and experts

Additional Criteria

  • Startups must be in TRL 2-5 stage, up until and including seed stage

  • Scaleups must be in TRL 6-9 stage with early revenues, market validation by pilot(s), Series A and higher

  • Have a solution that is focused on the transition to a sustainable energy future, with an explanation on how Shell connects to this solution

  • Have a unique scalable product or service

  • Be a registered company in Europe or Israel (equivalent to the Dutch B.V. (eg UK – Ltd., Germany – GmbH).

  • Have at least 2 founders

Timeline

22 May 2020

Deadline to Apply


The deadline for applications is 22 May, at midnight (UTC+2).
End June

Announcement of Selected Startups


Top 10 finalists per track will be announced at the end of June.
End August

Deep-Dive Interviews


Selected startups and scaleups will be invited for deep-dive skype interviews taking place at the end of August
September

Selection


The Top 10 finalists (5 per track) will be announced in September and invited for Finals Week in the Netherlands.
End October

Finals Week and Pitch Event


All 10 finalists will pitch in front of a jury of experts who will select the winners of the New Energy Challenge 2020 taking place end of October in the Netherlands.
Deadline passed

The deadline for this Challenge has passed, please check out our other Challenges