Energy Entrepreneurship Competition

Access to basic energy has reversed for the first time in a decade with 685 million people living without access to electricity.

To help address this, Octopus Energy, as a member of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Africa Council and leader of its Africa Energy Workstream, has launched an Energy Entrepreneurship Competition to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative energy solutions across Africa.

Competition aims

There is a critical need for reliable, sustainable energy infrastructure in Africa. This competition aims to be a new cornerstone event for energy innovation in Africa that will:

• drive innovation and growth within the African renewable energy sector;

• nurture the next generation of energy leaders committed to addressing the continent’s unique energy challenges;

• create a vibrant ecosystem where collaboration and knowledge sharing drive the renewable energy sector forward.

It will do this by identifying and supporting early-stage businesses focused on transforming power distribution, grid management, energy storage and clean energy generation.

Entrants are invited to share the story of their business, highlighting the milestones achieved and what sets their company apart. Entries will be assessed on five key areas:

1) Innovation

• What makes your technology unique compared to existing solutions?

• How does your business model differ from that of your competitors?

2) Clean energy access

• If successful, how will your solution enhance access to clean, reliable energy?

3) Scalability

• Can your business rapidly scale to new towns, cities, or countries under the right conditions?

• How feasible is rapid growth for your business?

4) Impact

• What is the potential socio-economic impact of your business?

• Does it have the capacity to transform local economies?

5) Expertise

• Does your team have the leadership and technical expertise to achieve your goals?

• What support systems does your team currently have in place?

Entrants are encouraged to provide detailed responses to each of these areas to strengthen their application and maximise the chances of being selected.

Please see the full Terms and Conditions for detailed entry criteria.

What winners will receive

By leveraging the extensive networks and expertise of the SMI Africa Council and Octopus Energy, the competition aims to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative energy solutions across the continent. Winners will benefit from:

Mentorship: Access to seasoned industry professionals who will offer guidance, share experiences, and provide strategic advice to help start-ups navigate business challenges and scale their businesses effectively.

Industry insights: Comprehensive exposure to the latest global trends, technologies, and regulatory landscapes in the energy sector.

Funding: Grant funding to help accelerate the growth of the start-up.

Contact

For any queries, please contact smiacenergycompetition@octopusenergygeneration.com