FAQ
(Almost) everything you need to know
2. What information do I need to provide in my application?
We ask for information about you, your idea, your team and your company. Don’t hold back, let us know how great you are.
3. What happens once I’ve applied?
Once you’ve submitted your details via our application form on the F6S platform, a member of our team will review your responses to confirm your suitability for the program. Beta-i, the program manager, may be in touch to gather further details and answer any questions you have before your details are submitted to the Energy Starter committee for review. Up to 15 startups around the world will be selected for each Track to the Energy Starter program running in Brazil, the United States, Spain, and Portugal to engage with EDP.
4. I don’t live in the US, Spain, Brazil or Portugal. Can I apply?
Of course! Companies, entrepreneurs and startups from across the globe are encouraged to apply. Bear in mind that you may need a visa to participate in activities in these countries and that you will be required to travel during the program.
5. Is there a minimum age?
You must be at least 18 years old to enter Energy Starter.
6. What is the process for applying?
We ask you for information about you, your idea, your team and your company in an online form on the F6S platform. Once the application is submitted, Beta-i will get back to you on next steps.
7. What type of solutions are you looking for?
For the Future Grids Track we are looking to work on the future of energy networks and distribution, from production to consumers. Through this track, EDP is leveraging the existing infrastructure with innovative solutions, while looking for new growth adjacent opportunities.
For the Renewables & Green Hydrogen Track EDP is looking for innovative projects in hydrogen, with the aim to reach its targets on renewables and enable the transition in sectors with higher carbon intensity.
For the Client Solutions & Mobility Track, we are looking for new solutions that facilitate the transition to electric mobility and boost the development of distributed generation solutions that will support EDP’s customers in their decarbonization efforts.
8. Who can participate?
Companies, entrepreneurs and startups from across the globe who are prepared to develop their products and services in collaboration with EDP.
9. I have a good business idea – can I participate in Energy Starter?
Not exactly, we are looking for companies that have at least a prototype with paying customers.
10. I’m quite an early-stage startup – am I right for Energy Starter?
We’re open to businesses that have at least a prototype with paying customers. If you feel that your business and products would benefit from this collaboration we’d love to hear from you.
11. I’ve been in accelerators before and have customers – is this right for me?
We know that your needs will be very different from an early-stage business. Your time is precious and we won’t waste it. So long as you have the ambition to test out your product and ideas in Energy Starter, we can work together.
12. Do I need to give away equity to participate?
No, we do not ask for equity for participating in this program. However, we may ask you to keep us notified about future funding rounds.
13. Are you asking for exclusivity?
No, we’re not asking you to sign an exclusivity agreement. We want to build a relationship based on trust and, if we like each other, we hope that you’ll see us as the first port of call when you need feedback on your new products. Please be aware that we will ask you to sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA) which you will need to adhere to, even when working with other parties in the energy sector.
14. Will I need to disclose confidential information about my business?
If you are invited to join Energy Starter, we will ask you to sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA) – this means that we’ll keep your information confidential, and you’ll need to do the same for us. This will ensure we can work together productively on the program. However, when you’re applying to join, neither party will be under NDA, so please only share with us information about your product or business that you consider in the public domain.
15. What does the Energy Starter consist of?
The Energy Starter will happen in a cyclic approach, looping 3 different Tracks that cover key themes on the Energy Transition landscape, every 4 months. The top selected startups for each Track will develop their product/service use case in a 3-day intensive program with the help of
workshops, talks and mentoring sessions that will provide you with useful learnings about EDP and enhance your skills. The participating teams will also be invited to join the Innovation Showcase Day event in a knowledge sharing gathering for the community.
workshops, talks and mentoring sessions that will provide you with useful learnings about EDP and enhance your skills. The participating teams will also be invited to join the Innovation Showcase Day event in a knowledge sharing gathering for the community.
16. What are the terms of entry into Energy Starter?
Selected teams will be required to sign a participation agreement to join the program.
17. Are you offering any travel support or assistance?
There is a travel and accommodation grant to help cover part of these costs with the exceptions of locally based startups.
18. What do I need to attend in person?
The Energy Starter program was designed to be a physical experience during the 3-day Bootcamp and the Innovation Showcase Day.
19. What does the Piloting phase of the program involve?
Throughout the Energy Starter program, we will build on the initial use case you presented on the Bootcamp. The itinerary is designed to guide you on creating game-changing products that will hopefully be implemented with EDP. Along the way, you will receive essential guidance on key decisions in real-time from your mentors and other industry experts.
20. Will EDP invest in every company that joins the program?
We will decide which startups we invest in at the end of the program.
21. How many startups will be chosen for Energy Starter?
We will aim to select up to 15 startups for each Track to participate in the Bootcamp phase of Energy Starter.
22. What are the upsides of joining Energy Starter?
Energy Starter enables startups to trial their solutions at scale, network with industry experts, and receive mentoring from the leadership teams of EDP. Working directly with a partner like EDP, will likely increase opportunities in your industry sector for pilots, contracts and further introductions, which is directly inline with our mission.
23. Is Energy Starter like other accelerators?
We believe we are different. We’ll provide your business with opportunities to:
- Full exposure of your startup to EDP since the application phase;
- Trial your product with EDP;
- Receive mentoring from senior executives.
24. Who is Beta-i? What is their role in this accelerator?
Beta-i is a collaborative innovation consultancy with global reach, a team of experts with its own methodology, in designing and managing projects from strategy to pilot testing. Born in Lisbon in 2009 as a disruptive response to the financial crisis of the time, in 12+ years the company
has helped to turn Portugal into one of Europe’s most vibrant innovation hubs. It has grown to become globally based in Lisbon, São Paulo, Brussels and Boston, applying the innovation expertise in over 20 countries and working with international brands to create new solutions for a rapidly changing world.
has helped to turn Portugal into one of Europe’s most vibrant innovation hubs. It has grown to become globally based in Lisbon, São Paulo, Brussels and Boston, applying the innovation expertise in over 20 countries and working with international brands to create new solutions for a rapidly changing world.
25. Where will the mentors come from?
Mentors will include senior executives from EDP, experts within their wider business, entrepreneurs and external subject matter experts.
