Cleantech Camp is looking for startups in Porto that are working on clean energy projects to compete in an entrepreneurial initiative starting in March.

The deadline to apply to this year’s Cleantech Camp is February 18, and the program runs between March 13 and June 21.

Cleantech Camp, which takes place in Porto, Portugal and Barcelona, Spain, is a program to support entrepreneurship in the field of clean energy with the aim of transforming projects into business realities. It looks for solutions with a high impact potential and supports them in the technological transfer to the market.

In the Cleantech Camp’s third edition, the main partner, Gas Natural Fenosa, in partnership with InnoEnergy, seeks solutions related to the following challenges: automation and control of energy distribution networks, distributed generation and self-consumption, infrastructure for sustainable mobility, and virtual and augmented reality for energy infrastructures.

“Cleantech Camp is a very interesting initiative that has great potential to value the ideas and projects of innovative entrepreneurs and research groups,” said Mónica Puente, director of technological innovation at Gas Natural Fenosa.

“The program is made up of high-level professionals and at Gas Natural Fenosa we believe they can help us develop initiatives that add value to our customers and contribute to the promotion of clean energy,” she added.

The ultimate goal is for participants to validate their business ideas with the market and create the appropriate implementation and launch strategies.

Out of all the applicants a maximum of 15 projects related to the following themes will be selected:

1. IoT & AI energy.
2. Energy efficiency.
3. Smart Cities.
4. Renewable energies.
5. Sustainable mobility.
6. Smart grids.
7. Cybersecurity & blockchain in energy.

The three projects with the greatest potential impact on the market will receive a financial contribution and support for acceleration and business growth valued at more than €50,000.

The winner will receive €20,000 while the runners-up will receive €10,000 and €5,000 respectively.

Cleantech Camp participants will also be eligible for InnoEnergy’s investment program and will be able to access an investment valued at 500,000 euros in different phases.

“After more than six years of accelerating and investing in start-ups and SMEs in the energy and clean technology sectors, we are using our experience and everything we have learned to design a program that contains training and workshops necessary for any entrepreneur to validate and launch a new product or service on the market,” said Josep Miquel Torregrosa, business creation officer at InnoEnergy Iberia.

The costs of travel and accommodation in the cities where the program will be developed are covered by the organization. In addition, participants will have a space at the Barcelona Activa agency and at UPTEC, as well as access to the Gas Natural Fenosa Innovation Hub for workshops.

“Porto’s commitment to this program reinforces the city’s concern and commitment to the issue of climate change, and the role that cities can play in supporting the development of technologies and businesses that help us build a more sustainable future,” said Filipe Araújo, Vice Mayor of Porto and City Councilor for Innovation and Environment.