Call for Applications: Digital Energy Challenge for start-ups ( Up to €150K )

Each year, the Digital Energy Challenge for start-ups rewards 5 to 8 Startups developing innovative digital projects aimed at improving energy access and grid services in Africa.

The Challenge rewards digital innovation in energy systems. It is open to start-ups and public utility companies in Africa – i.e. both North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

2024 Thematic Areas

Start-up’s project must adhere to one of the under-listed thematic areas:

Universal electricity access and mini-grids
Efficient grid management
Resilience and decarbonisation of power systems

Benefits for Challenge Winners

Financial support of up to €150K, including technical assistance
A joint boot camp run by cross-sectorial experts
Startups project widespread communication campaigns piloted by AFD

Eligibility Criteria for Start-ups

The Start-up must meet the following criteria

Founded less than 10 years ago
Be in the pre-seed/early-stage financing phase, i.e. less than €1M funding raised
Annual turnover of less than €1M
Employ between 1 and 99 people full-time.

NB: NGOs can apply under the Start-up category if the project meets one of the additional following criteria:

The project is set up as a company as a branch of the NGO
The project has a dedicated team and business plan, and targets business sustainability/profitability (e.g. plans to spin off as an independent entity).

Also, note that NGOs can apply under the Start-up category if the project meets one of the additional following criteria:

Digital i.e. based on a telecom, computer or cloud-based technology
Innovative, either intrinsically or compared to the local market
Local, i.e. headquartered or with project management activities in the country of the project

How to Apply