Initiate! goes global as energy start-up and innovation programme spreads it wings

PARIS - Nov. 8, 2019 - PRLog -- The Initiate! programme, where many start-ups and innovators in the energy and power sectors got their flying start, is going global! Since its launch in 2014, as part of energy event European Utility Week's practical programme on the expo floor, the platform has been bringing together start-ups, students, corporate executives, public sector innovators and investors from around the world.

Not just another innovation theatre, Initiate! strives to make true impact. "We're so proud of how Initiate! has evolved and become a global movement that breeds talent, empowers next-gen energy entrepreneurs and creates impactful programmes to move our industry forward" says Initiate! director Sietske Jacobs. "In recent years we have tested the concept by organising programmes in Asia, the US, Australia and Africa and the success of these events has convinced us to roll out the complete Initiate! programme globally to these four continents and potentially India."

She adds: "to advance the energy transition and create a just and fair energy future it is vital to dare to think differently. It's time to act. Connecting the next generation of technology and talent with the professionals in the industry is key to this transition and this is exactly why we are launching the Initiate! programme around the globe in 2020."

Initiate! success stories over the years have included companies such as Electron and GridX and a team from Kenya's Strathmore University winning ZAR20,000 in prize money for an innovative concept to provide equitable energy access to remote villages based on, among others, 'Uber(ising)' solar energy at the first Initiate! Impact Challenge to take place at African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa in Cape Town in May this year.

Industry support
The official global launch of the Initiate! programme will take place at this year's European Utility Week and POWERGEN Europe energy industry event at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.  "We will launch it on Wednesday November 13, at the Initiate! Hub in Theatre 2 at 15h45. Just look out for the busiest, most innovative and diverse Hub on the exhibition floor and you will meet the innovators that are currently shaping the future of the energy sector!" says Sietske Jacobs.

The power and energy industry and its stakeholders have embraced and supported the Initiate! concept from the start. Partners for this year's Initiate! at European Utility Week & POWERGEN Europe include InnoEnergy, Pinsent Masons LLP, Amazon Web Services Inc., Enel and The GC Index® while :agile E.ON, EDP, Iberdrola Perseo, Infoware McKinsey Energy Insights, TU Berlin, VARTA and Vattenfall are sponsors.

https://www.european-utility-week.com/initiate/initiate-programme#/