Startup competition focuses on decarbonisation

BoostUp! Iberia empowers Spanish and Portuguese startups to contribute achieving net zero in industry

This startup competition, organised by EIT Manufacturing, is casting innovative solutions to help industry players make the transition to net zero emissions. The call, launched today, focuses on renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency improvements and will be open until 23 September 2024. The top three solutions will benefit from internationalisation and economic support, visibility and access to an extensive European network. 

The transition to net zero emissions is both urgent and complex. In particular, industry, responsible for 21% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021*, is under pressure to meet the ambitious target set by the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. That’s why EIT Manufacturing, the largest European innovation industrial community supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, has chosen this topic for this new edition of BoostUp!. This competition series aims to identify and support promising European startups contributing to a more sustainable and competitive industry. The purpose of the first Iberian edition, focus on “Net Zero Industry”, is to act as a catalyst for tangible, scalable innovations to reduce industrial carbon emissions. 

Spain and Portugal, two promising countries

EIT Manufacturing aims to foster a bi-national community that promises to be at the forefront of industrial sustainability efforts. The BoostUp! Iberia startup competition provides a focused platform for discussion, ideation and action, where partnerships between startups, established SMEs, corporates and industry stakeholders from both countries can be initiated and strengthened.  

“Spain and Portugal, with their robust industrial base and commitment to climate action, are fertile ground for cultivating new technologies and methodologies aimed at reducing industrial emissions,” argues Javier González, Business Development and Innovation Manager at EIT Manufacturing West. While Portugal is recognised as a leader in the integration of renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind and solar, Spain has also made significant investments in this area and is currently focusing on increasing energy efficiency, especially in industry, to move towards decarbonisation. Javier González is confident that both countries could deliver tangible and scalable innovations to reduce industrial carbon emissions that deserve to be catalysed:

Entrepreneurs pitch for internationalisation support and visibility

Portuguese and Spanish entrepreneurs can apply to this call before 23 September 2024 to gain knowledge, resources and networks needed to play a key role in the net zero transition. After an initial evaluation phase, shortlisted candidates will be announced on 21 October. They will receive two months of dedicated support by EIT Manufacturing West to achieve their goals and pitch their idea during the face-to-face final in Porto, on 4 December. The top three solutions will benefit from internationalisation support, visibility and access to the EIT Manufacturing network, and will be awarded prizes of EUR 7 000 (1st place), EUR 5 000 (2nd place) and EUR 3 000 (3rd place).  

*European Environment Agency (EEA) Report 07/2023: Trends and projections in Europe 2023, page 58.