Alumni success stories

 

Since 2018, our ENECHANGE Insight Ventures programme has attracted a steady stream of start-ups keen to enter the Japanese energy market and pitch their business to key decision-makers there.

For a number of alumni — both finalists and winners — the competition has led to significant investment from and partnerships with our subscribers in Japan and further afield.

Akselos: investment from Japan Energy Fund

May 2022

2021 finalist Akselos receives investment from the Japan Energy Fund to help further offshore wind generation through its digital twin technology.

Leap: investment from Japan Energy Fund

November 2021

2021 Honouree Leap receives investment from Japan Energy Fund to help further innovation in the energy industry and reach net zero in Japan.

Sense: investment from Japan Energy Fund

September 2021

2020 finalist Sense receives investment from Japan Energy Fund to help them make a significant contribution to the digitalisation of energy in Japan

Ambri: investment from Japan Energy Fund

August 2021

2020 finalist Ambri raises 144 million USD in Series E funding from investors including Japan Energy Fund, Reliance Industries, Bill Gates, and Paulson & Co.

FreeWire: Japan reseller deal

June 2021

ENECHANGE and 2020 winner FreeWire announce they will partner to sell FreeWire’s Boost Charger in Japan

Kiwi Power: Japan distribution deal

May 2021

ENECHANGE and 2019 winner Kiwi Power announce alliance to strengthen VPP business in Japan with Kiwi Power products

Heliatek: pilot projects in Japan

November 2020

2019 winner Heliatek conducts their first organic solar film project in Japan with Looop Inc. and Ritsumeikan University

Virta: investment from JEC sponsor

April 2020

JXTG Energy (now ENEOS) invests in 2019 participant Virta, a Finnish EV charging platform company

Powervault: commission for study on VPPs and second-life batteries

November 2019

2018 winner and UK home energy storage manufacturer Powervault awarded study for second-life batteries and virtual power plants from JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy (now ENEOS)

Connected Energy: £5+ million investment

June 2019

2019 winner and UK battery storage systems provider Connected Energy secures multi-million investment from Sumitomo, ENGIE and Macquarie