From innovation to impact.
Start Up Energy Transition (SET) is a global innovation platform supporting innovation in energy & climate tech for the global energy transition.
SET is implemented with the conviction that a sustainable future is directly linked to innovative business models and political will. The SET platform is powered by the German Energy Agency (dena). We support the global energy & climate tech ecosystem with our three pillars: The SET Award, the SET Tech Festival & the SET Spotlights (SET100 & Newsroom):
SET Award
The annual international competition for startups and young companies innovating for the global energy transition. In the last 10 years, the award has received more than 4.500 applications from more than 100 countries within 5 categories.
Discover moreSET Tech Festival
Our annual one-day event bringing together innovators shaping the future of energy: the best startups in the field of energy & climate tech solutions, innovation-driven corporates, policy makers, investors, and public organisations leading the energy transition.
SET Tech FestivalSET Spotlights
Articles, videos, posts, insights, SET list & publications and events featuring news from the energy & climate tech world, the successes and challenges of SET startups and other trending topics valuable to the global energy transition.
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The #SET100 List startups of 2026
Each year, we select 100 of the most innovative energy and climate tech startups to join our prestigious SET100 list.
From this group, 5 outstanding innovators are honored with the SET Award – one in each of our five transformative categories. By amplifying their visibility and connecting them to a global network of partners, experts, and investors, we empower these startups to scale their solutions and shape the future of sustainable energy.

The SET community network
We spotlight the world’s most promising energy and climate tech startups every year.
Driving innovation, scaling solutions, and accelerating the global energy transition.
Meet some of the leading innovators & success stories SET has championed on their path to scale and success.
SET partners
We know that solving the climate crisis requires collaboration across borders, industries, and sectors. That’s why partnerships are at the core of everything we do. From accelerating innovation to scaling impact, our partners help turn bold ideas into global solutions.
Our reach is global! We are proud to have a supportive and growing international network of partners from various sectors around the world with whom we are empowering the energy transition together.
Always up to date
Stay connected with SET through our social feeds.
For daily updates on the latest innovations, events, and industry insights, follow us across our social channels.
SET Newsroom
Dive deeper into the latest trends, innovations, and insights shaping the future of energy and climate tech.
What Does SET100 Recognition Do for a Startup?
What impact does being part of the SET100 community really have for startups? Getting a climate-tech startup funded can be notoriously difficult. The technologies take […]