Shell India launches programme to help energy startups shine

Shell India has announced this week that it will be inviting IT and energy startups to apply for its programme Shell E4 (Energizing and Enabling Energy Entrepreneurs) to help “light up” the Indian startup community.

The programme is searching for early-stage startups and businesses that have the potential to impact the future of energy. The selected cohort will be invited to collaborate and share ideas with Shell for a period of six months where they will have access to Shell’s Technology and IT labs in Bengaluru. Startups will receive technical and commercial mentorship from Shell, opportunities to network with potential customers and be awarded a fixed sum investment of up to $20,000 per startup.

Applications close on 17 November 2017, and selected startups will begin the programme on 4 December at the Shell Technology Centre Bengaluru.

Nitin Prasad, Chairman of Shell Companies in India, commented on the launch of the programme, “At Shell, we believe that the answers to energy challenges lie in the power of innovation. With this programme, we aim to provide a platform to energy startups that have the potential to impact the future of energy. The Shell E4 Program provides a platform for collaboration and conversation around valuable energy transitions, offering startups an opportunity to bring their ideas to life with Shell’s guidance and support”.

The programme strives to support the already growing energy sector, by providing a leg up to young IT and energy focused entrepreneurs. There is no shortage of talent in the country, in fact, earlier this year over 50 energy startups applied to the #makethefuture Accelerator India 2017 competition where they showcased sustainable and cleaner energy solutions for future energy challenges worldwide. One of the top shortlisted startups from the event included Bengaluru’s Graviky Labs Pvt. Ltd, which captures air pollution using a retrofitted technology called ‘Kaalink’ to repurpose vehicular emissions into art ink.

The event is another step forward in India’s mission to provide solutions to energy problems. It follows the unveiling of the country’s first solar-powered train back in July, as well as PM Modi’s promise to provide electricity for all by 2018.

Full of bright talent and ideas surfacing from cost-effective renewable energy alternatives, to innovative energy-saving infrastructure, India’s energy and IT startups are in full swing. The Shell E4 programme will help give these startups an extra push up the industry ladder, allowing them to potentially impact the future of energy on a global scale.