EPIC PITCH BATTLE FOR ENERGY TECH STARTUPS
Get in front of leading industry VCs to increase brand awareness, secure funding and make connections that convert into partnerships.
Challengers
7
Tracks
70
Finalists
1
Winner
Accelerate your business with Energy Tech Challengers
Energy Tech Challengers is a platform that spotlights startups and visionary entrepreneurs at the forefront of the energy sector. This annual competition brings together the most innovative minds to pitch new technologies and solutions that will redefine the future of energy.
Challengers benefit from unparalleled exposure to industry leaders, investors, and potential collaborators, making it a prime opportunity to accelerate growth and drive impactful change.
Each year, the event culminates in a grand finale where startups present their groundbreaking solutions to a panel of esteemed judges, competing for recognition, investment, and the chance to make a significant mark on the energy landscape.
How does it work?
A distinguished panel of industry-leading experts from top corporations, venture capital firms, ecosystem builders, and media partners selects ten standout companies in each of the five tracks.
These Top 70 startups earn the opportunity to pitch live at Energy Tech Summit, taking place on April 15-16, 2026, in Bilbao, Spain. As Europe’s top industry conference, the summit offers unparalleled media exposure and networking opportunities.
One exceptional company will be crowned the ultimate winner of the Energy Tech Challengers award, marking a significant milestone in their journey to revolutionize the energy sector.
APPLICATION CRITERIA
TIMELINE
TOP 70 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Each of the 70 finalist Companies (10 per each track) are granted 1 complimentary ticket to Energy Tech Summit 2026. It’s an event that you don’t want to miss!
MEET THE FINALISTS
Each of the 70 finalist Companies (10 per each track) are granted 1 complimentary ticket to Energy Tech Summit 2026. It’s an event that you don’t want to miss!
MEET THE FINALISTS
FINALISTS of 2026
JURY MEMBERS OF 2026
Gaetan Bonhomme
Partner @ Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Andrew Beebe
Managing Director @ Obvious Ventures
Veery Maxwell
Partner @ Galvanize Climate Solutions
Gabriel Kra
Managing Director and Co-Founder @ Prelude Ventures
Neha Manaktala
Global Head of ClimateTech Investments & Innovation @ JP Morgan
Gabriel Scheer
Senior Director of Innovation @ Elemental Impact
Christian Patino
Executive Director, Global Technology Team, Consumer Internet & Impact Tech @ UBS
Vikram Raju
Head of Climate Investments @ Morgan Stanley
James Lockyer
Director, Climate Innovation Fund @ Microsoft
Léo Fillion
Investment Manager @ EDF Pulse Ventures
Stephane Lauzon
Head of Oil, Gas & Energy @ SAP
Hussein Shel
Director, Chief Technologist, Energy and Utility @ AWS
Jon Slowe
Partner @ LCP
Hans Middelthon
Managing Director, Europe @ Aramco Ventures
Julien Cristiani
General Partner @ SE Ventures
Edouard Bulteau
Operating Partner @ Marble
Jonathan Foiret Hurbin
Managing Director @ Stifel
Georg Schumacher
Head Innovation and Ventures @ Axpo Group
Mario Jankovic
Associate, Innovation & Ventures @ Axpo Group
Mayank Kapoor
Principal @ Carbon Direct Capital
Isaac Charlton
Consultant – Strategy & Transactions @ LCP Delta
Christian Adelsberger
Founder & CEO @ NECTURE
Raffaele Giaquinto
COO @ NECTURE
Bala Nagarajan
Managing Director @ S2G Ventures
Irena Spazzapan
Founder and Managing Partner @ Systemiq Capital
Takeshi Kodama
Head of JERA Ventures and Managing Partner @ JERA
Min Dhillon
Principal @ Carbon13
Maciej Lehmann
Associate @ Future Energy Ventures
Kristyna Machova
Investment Director @ Inven Capital
Tushar Kumar
Head of ICS @ Just Climate
David Janashvili
Managing Partner @ Surami Partners
Anaïs Leleu
Investment Manager @ TiLT Capital
Nathanaël KRIVINE
Co-Founder & Managing Partner @ TiLT Capital
Jan van der Velde
Investment Director @ Eneco Ventures
Lisa Schneider
Investment Manager @ Aramco Ventures
Talia Rafaeli
Partner @ Kompas VC
Arfa Karani
Investment Director @ Alantra Energy Transition
Alfonso Carranza
Investment Manager @ Elewit Ventures
Mahmoud Dhimish
Senior Lecturer @ University of the Built Environment
Derek Higashihara
Principal @ Acario Innovation
Andy Bradley
Partner @ LCP Delta
David Leiva Fuente
Account Manager Energy @ Google Cloud
Eriz Sainz Gurtubay
Partner PwC & Director BAT @ BAT & PwC
Max Werny
Investor @ Zero Carbon Capital
Jose M. Garcia
Business Development Executive Director @ SETT
James Garcia
Deeptech Investor @ Speedinvest
Paul Eisenberg
Principal @ Extantia
Iris ten Have
Principal @ Visionaries Tomorrow
Would you like to connect with some of Spain's most iconic energy-related corporations as part of the Energy Tech Challengers initiative?
To encourage the adoption of open innovation in the Biscay region, BAT – B Accelerator Tower, a globally recognized entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem based in Bilbao, is seeking startups that are developing new technologies in the energy sector with the goal of connecting them with top-tier corporate partners such as Iberdrola, Arteche, Enagas and many more.
Selected applicants who capture the interest of these corporations will have the opportunity to participate in a sponsored trade mission to the region. During this visit, they will meet with the corporate innovation and venturing teams. BAT will cover the costs of flights and accommodation*.
*Disclaimer: The outlined conditions will pertain solely to the selected startups. The financial assistance provided will cover up to €400 for each company established in Spain, €1,000 for European companies, and €2,000 for companies situated in other regions. These amounts encompass both hotel accommodations and flight expenses for a single individual. Detailed conditions will be communicated to the applicant companies following the selection of the finalists.
An initiative of
An initiative of
Led By
Participating companies
Participating companies
FOUNDED BY
OTHER INITIATIVES FOR STARTUPS
