Tata Trusts and Social Alpha launch Nationwide Search for Innovators & Entrepreneurs in the Clean Energy Sector

Tata Trusts and Social Alpha announce the launch of the second edition of Social Alpha Energy Challenge 2.0 (SAEC 2.0) to find disruptive, innovative and impactful technology blueprints and prototypes across the energy value chain from generation, distribution and storage to consumption.

In its first year, the Social Alpha Energy Challenge in 2018, selected a cohort of 11 start-ups with impactful technology innovations that included EV charging equipment and charging station, solar powered efficient machine for agriculture, biomass conversion equipment, innovative battery technologies, smart meters and data analytics platform, zero-emissions turbine-based energy storage and power generation engine.

SAEC 2.0 is looking for individuals, institutions and start-ups with clean energy technology innovations that have the potential to address the issues of energy poverty, energy access and climate change, scale across locations as well as business model sustainability. Successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate impactful science and technology innovations with an underlying focus on affordability, accessibility and user-experience. The Challenge will focus on finding solutions across areas but not limited to household, farm, industry, transport, building, infrastructure and utilities.

This year the challenge is inviting applications in two categories, “pre-pilot” and “post-pilot”, to address the needs for technologies and start-ups in different stages of product development differently. The“pre-pilot” category aims to support innovations which are in their very early stage and need hand holding and mentoring for product development, including support in physical prototype development and testing. The “post-pilot” category is for start-ups that have crossed the first pilot or have demonstrated a working prototype and need more support in product management and go to market execution.

Up to 20 innovations will be selected and will be incubated by the Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC). CEIIC, Social Alpha’s deep-tech Energy Innovation Lab, is the joint initiative of the Government of India and Tata Trusts. Supported by Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC, Tata Power and Tata Power-Delhi Distribution Limited, CEIIC has become the first International Incubator in India under Mission Innovation, focused on cleantech and climate change. CEIIC will also support entrepreneurs by providing solution development infrastructure, last-mile connectivity and end-use deployment of successful research outputs.

Speaking about the challenge, Manoj Kumar, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Tata Trusts and CEO, Social Alpha, said, “To meet the exponentially growing global energy needs and to make energy accessible to all, it is critical to promote and invest in technology innovations that enhance availability, sustainability and efficiency across the entire energy life cycle. Sustainable energy is one of the greatest enabler for livelihoods and has the potential to transforms lives, economies and the planet. We believe that supporting science and technology-based innovation through their lab to market journey. can play a very crucial role in stimulating economic growth, preventing environmental degradation, reducing dependency on unsustainable practices and most importantly, enhancing the overall quality of life of people.”

The application for SAEC 2.0 will be assessed on select parameters such as the breakthrough nature of the innovation, business viability, environmental sustainability, social impact, and scalability potential.

The winners will receive: