- 60 entrepreneurs and 10 global utilities attend three-day Dublin bootcamp to develop and refine energy solutions for customers
- Three Irish companies to compete for final spots on coveted Free Electrons Accelerator Programme
Dubllin, Tuesday 2 April 2019
Thirty energy start-ups from across the globe have descended upon Dublin to compete in an intensive bootcamp event, with each vying for a spot on the international Free Electrons Programme.
Hosted by ESB, the start-ups will pitch their market-ready solutions to 10 global utilities and industry experts. Following the bootcamp, 12 companies will be selected to participate in three modules in Ohio, Hong Kong and Lisbon with the final winner selected in October.
The Free Electrons Programme is a global accelerator initiative that connects worldwide utilities with entrepreneurs to refine and test their products with the potential to reach 73 million customers in more than 40 countries.
Taking place in The Smock Alley and Guinness Storehouse, the Dublin bootcamp event takes place from April 2nd to 4th. More than 500 energy start-ups applied to the programme, with 30 of the best selected to participate in the Dublin bootcamp.
Jerry O’Sullivan, ESB’s Deputy Chief Executive, said: “ESB is proud to host the Free Electrons bootcamp event in Dublin which once again demonstrates the organisation’s and country’s commitment to supporting innovative start-ups that are developing energy solutions for customers. This is a great opportunity to showcase to other leading utilities and start-ups how Ireland is leading the transition to a low-carbon future, with creative ideas, radical thinking and new technologies at the heart of this movement.
“As a founding and committed partner to this global accelerator programme, ESB is proud to continue working closely with a number of previous participants including Climote and Verv. We look forward to partnering with other global start-ups so we can work together and create a brighter future for all.”
Three companies from Ireland are participating in the Dublin bootcamp including GridBeyond, Xenotta and VorTech Water Solutions.
For the participating global utilities, this programme offers them the opportunity to work with start-ups that will drive the next generation of ideas in clean energy, energy efficiency, e-mobility, digitisation, and on-demand customer services.
The 12 companies that will proceed to the next stage of the programme will be announced on Thursday evening.
Ends
For more information:
Grainne Burns, ESB Press Officer @ 087-9536640
About ESB
ESB operates across the electricity market: from generation, through transmission and distribution to the supply of customers with an expanding presence in the Great Britain generation market. In addition we extract further value through supplying gas, energy services and using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications. ESB is the owner of the distribution and transmission networks in the Republic of Ireland (via ESB Networks) and Northern Ireland (via Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd).
ESB contributes almost €2 billion annually to the Irish economy through dividends, investments, taxes and jobs. ESB provides significant employment both directly, with over 7,800 employees, and indirectly through contractors and service providers.
About Free Electrons
Free Electrons is the global energy start-up accelerator programme that connects the world’s most promising start-ups with leading utility companies. Free Electrons is backed by an international alliance of utilities and accelerators: AusNet Services (Australia), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dubai), ESB (Ireland), EDP (Portugal), innogy, Origin Energy (Australia), Singapore Power (Singapore) and Tokyo Electric Power Company (Japan). Read more about ESB’s involvement here: www.esb.ie/free-electrons