Energy Startup Hub at MEE has a prominent focus on energy industry innovation. Working together with key influential stakeholders, the 2021 innovation hub will host some of the best ideas this generation has to offer to the industry and help bring investors and government as part of the judging panel.
This year we will host several startup from the off-grid distributed renewable energy industry.
MEE is calling all start-ups and SMEs in the field of Energy to apply to
be a part of our new exciting feature. As Energy is leading the way when it comes to disruptive changes, this is a chance for SME’s to showcase their innovations to a panel of industry experts, and an audience of potential investors.
SME applies for programme in advance via our website. Criteria is: start-up, SME or proof of concept, as long as they are innovative!
The energy industry has been exponentially growing and changing over the last decade, making this an exciting time to be an entrepreneur in this field. With start-ups launching all over the world to look at ways to fundamentally improve the ideas of sustainability, looking for innovative technologies that will help reach the energy transition; the Energy Innovation Talks have been developed to highlight these ideas.
Stay tuned, agenda on it's way!
Claudio Pedretti
CEO, Green Climate Ventures,
President of the Board of Directors at Alliance for Rural Electrification
Mr. Pedretti is an Italian serial entrepreneur and industry leader considered an expert in solar mini-grids and in DRE generation (Distributed Renewable Energy). He is
currently serving as President of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Rural Electrification www.ruralelec.org
the larger worldwide industry association representing 190 companies in the sector, as well as in the Steering committee of Ren21 www.ren21.net.
UN SDG7 “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” is his passion and focus. He founded few successful startups in the renewable energy sector. He is founder of Green Climate Venture (GCV) an early-stage impact investor focused in off-grid renewable energy sector and related applications.
The core values of GCV are social equity and
environmental protection.
www.greenclimateventures.com
Dr Andreas M. Rickert
CEO and founder of PHINEO gAG
Supervisory Board Member, Ableton
Dr. Andreas M. Rickert is a molecular biologist who cannot be pigeonholed easily: Engagement Manager at McKinsey, Senior Specialist at the World Bank, Director at the Bertelsmann Foundation - and founder and CEO of PHINEO gAG. He has an international orientation through studies at Davis, among others, a doctorate at Stanford, as well as living and working in Bahrain, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Switzerland and the USA. Through leadership experience in large companies and organizations and successfully building a start-up, he is a builder of bridges between different worlds.
Driven by a deep desire to add significant value to society, he founded PHINEO in 2010. The success of his work is based on a strong network with decision makers in economy, civil society and politics.
As business angels Andreas is involved in a successful portfolio of purpose-driven start-ups. Holding seats in various advisory and
supervisory boards of corporates and non-profits completes his diverse activity spectrum bridging gaps between different worlds.
Dr Amit Jain
Senior Energy Specialist,
The World Bank
Dr. Amit Jain has a Ph.D. in solar, Fulbright Scholar at NREL, USA and Chevening Fellow at King’s College, London. He works with the World Bank and is leading a $2 billion renewable portfolio in India, Bangladesh and Maldives. Dr.Jain has worked on design and development of REWA and Charanka solar park in India, inaugurated by Hon. PM Shri Narendra Modi. The project has received the World Bank Group President Award for innovation and excellence and included in the Prime Minister's book 'A Book of Innovation: New Beginnings'.
His previous assignments include the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Clinton Foundation. Amit has authored two books on climate change policy and waste to energy and has several international
peer-reviewed journal publications. His hobbies include scuba diving, badminton, and outdoor sports.
Prof Dr Luka Powanga
Professor-Regis University, Executive Director-Energy Africa Conference, and Managing Partner- TPL
Dr. Luka Powanga is a distinguished professor and seasoned economist globally recognized as a creative problem solver, a visionary, and a thought leader. He is a Professor of Economics and Finance at Regis University who has deployed classroom and online programs and joint programs with other universities. He has received many academic and humanitarian awards. He has developed and taught courses in international logistics, economics, finance, international business, strategy development, implementation, capstone, and commercialization, including incubating student businesses and entrepreneurship.
He is well-published and is a regular contributor to the Renewables Global Status Report and the Renewables in Cities Global Status Reports. Dr. Powanga is the founding member of the Denver Chapter of the Angel Capital Group.
https://theangelcapitalgroup.com.
Dr. Powanga is the founder and Executive Director of the Energy Africa Conference (https://energyAfricaconference.com), the premier energy conference on Africa. He leverages the conference's vast network of investors, EPCs, project developers, and other professionals to form partnerships that actualize energy, agricultural and healthcare projects in Africa to help recast the continent's citizens' lives. He sits on many boards.
Gabriel de Lastours
Regional Head, Energy SEMED at EBRD
Gabriel de Lastours is responsible for developing the EBRD's power and renewables portfolio across the southern and eastern Mediterranean region (SEMED). This includes structuring debt and equity investments as well as leading policy dialogue with governments in the region. Gabriel has worked in the EBRD’s energy sector for 14 years, both on oil and gas and mining financing and power and renewable energy projects. Prior to joining the Bank, Gabriel worked with EY Transaction Advisory Services in Paris and Credit Agricole CIB in New York. He is a graduate from ESSEC Business School in Paris.
Ujunwa Ojemeni
Energy & Development Finance Executive and Founder, African Women in Energy Development Initiative (AWEDI Network)
Ujunwa Ojemeni is an impact investing, energy and development expert with experience in the areas of opportunity maturation, financing, and policy focused on driving the achievement of SDG 7 in Africa by 2030 and an advocate for gender inclusivity/equal representation in the Energy sector.
At the Office of the Honourable Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources Lagos State, she drives policies, investments opportunities and implementation strategies to deliver reliable energy to the citizens of the State. She is also an Advisor with the Private Finance Advisory Network (PFAN) - the multilateral, public-private partnership initiated hosted by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) focused on bridging the investment gap between investors and entrepreneurs and project developers by facilitating investment into promising clean energy and climate change projects.
Ujunwa is the founder of the African Women in Energy Development Initiative (AWEDI Network) focused on promoting the growth of women in the sector through mentorship programs, career sponsorship (acceleration), networking opportunities, professional development and leadership training for women at all stages of their energy careers and for female students at the secondary and tertiary levels.
Rebecca Symington
Regional Head of Programmes
Energy 4 Impact
Rebecca Symington is Regional Head of Programmes at Energy 4 Impact overseeing programmes focusing on access to energy as a means to increase livelihoods for women and other entrepreneurs in rural areas and urban settlements in Sub Saharan Africa, as well as business advisory programmes for energy focused start-ups. Rebecca has also led electrification programmes in India using solar mini-grids to expand productive use of energy to improve the incomes and quality of life in rural settings. Rebecca also a background with UN agencies in-country and HQ positions and holds degrees in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government as well as African and Asian studies from London School of Economics and Sussex University.
Katarina created Enrupt to build companies of the future based on zero carbon, decentralised and digital energy solutions. Enrupt is a ecommunity of energy innovators and industry professionals. Insights generated through Enrupt research and community activities help us stay up to date with new ideas from across the globe. Our online and offline events create a platform for an informed debate on the latest industry trends and future possibilities. Being a part of the community also gives you access to Enrupt’s resources and partners. Holding true to our promise of promoting gender equality, we feature women entrepreneurs and professionals in the energy sector that are making an impact on the sector.
Katarina has 18 years of professional experience in energy from government & consulting in Europe, Middle East & South-East Asia. Over the past 4 years, I managed 6+ Million USD of energy transition projects for clients in Europe, South East Asia and Middle East spanning across strategy, innovation, research and project implementation.
Katarina is currently Member of the Board for Insead Alumni Global Energy Club. Her past roles include Board Member and Vice President of the Alliance for Rural Electrification (Industry association, HQ in Belgium), Female Founders (Non-profit, HQ in Singapore) and Global Committee of Insead Alumni Women in Business.
Fabrice Mpollo
Impact Investment Manager (Africa)
Norfund
Cornelius Matthes
Chief Executive Officer,
Dii Desert Energy
Representative from Schneider Electric