Mayo start-ups and scale-ups invited to join energy futures accelerator programme
Minister Alan Dillon, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has announced that applications are now open for innovative Ireland-based climate tech and renewable energy start-ups and scale-ups to join the new PTSB NovaUCD Energy Futures Accelerator (EFA) Programme.
The focus of this 6-month programme, which will start in January 2027, is to support the next wave of climate tech and renewable energy companies and to grow the sector.
The programme will draw on NovaUCD’s expertise in innovation and start-up development and growth, alongside PTSB’s financial and business advisory capabilities to help participating companies to accelerate their commercialisation pathway and scaling strategy for the global stage.
The programme will also benefit from the specialist expertise provided by researchers from Rinn Energy, the Research Ireland Centre for Research and Innovation in Energy System Decarbonisation, which is co-led by UCD and UCC.
Minister Alan Dillon said: “The PTSB NovaUCD Energy Futures Accelerator will help innovative Irish companies develop and scale the technologies needed for the green energy transition. By supporting cutting-edge climate and energy businesses, the programme will help create high-quality jobs and new economic opportunities in communities across Ireland.
“Initiatives such as this will align closely with, and complement, the Green Growth Industrial Strategy currently being developed by my Department. This upcoming strategy is focused on building Irish capability and capacity across renewable energy and green technology supply chains and ensuring the benefits of the green transition are felt right across the country.”
The programme is open to applications from innovative Irish start-ups and scaling companies in the following sectors: renewable energy, storage, grid technologies, smart infrastructure, energy management, data and AI, electrification, sustainable transport, the built environment, circular economy, carbon reduction and nature-positive solutions.
The new PTSB NovaUCD Energy Futures Accelerator programme will provide: commercial mentorship to sharpen value proposition, validate business models, and accelerate market traction; masterclasses from Rinn Energy academics and researchers offering insights into technologies, challenges and opportunities in the energy sector; founder training focused on commercialisation, positioning and scaling; fundraising guidance to strengthen investor readiness and explore funding opportunities; access to NovaUCD workspace and network, including co-working space, meeting rooms and founder supports.
Applications for the programme close on December 3, and the programme will begin next January and will end with a final showcase event in June 2027.
To find out more information and to apply for the PTSB NovaUCD Energy Futures Accelerator programme visit here.