Enel’s renewable energies division Enel Green Power has signed an agreement with Seedstars World to find the most innovative startups in Africa to boost electrification and socio-economic growth in sub-Saharan rural areas.

They have signed a cooperation agreement establishing the Africa Energy Track challenge, a competition aimed at identifying innovative startups in the field of electricity access in Africa within the framework of the Seedstars World startup competition, the Italian company announces.

The project’s goal is to enhance technology and entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan rural areas by bringing innovative energy solutions focused on electric mobility, storage, distributed generation and energy efficiency, thereby tackling UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG7 – ensuring affordable and clean energy for all.

“Seedstars’ programs match Enel’s commitment to opening up to new, pioneering startups, seeking innovative solutions to energy and sustainability challenges”, explained Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Enel Green Power.

Enel is the exclusive energy partner of Seedstars’s regional competitions in Africa, which will consist in over 20 different local events with the participation of startups from various sectors evaluated by juries including Enel’s experts for the energy field.

Winners from the local events move on to the Regional Summits, with Enel selecting at least one startup in the energy field at the Seedstars Africa Regional Summit. The selected winner will enter a three-month growth and acceleration programme, which includes a financial contribution, provided by Seedstars.

Since 2013 Seedstars has run the “Seedstars World” startup competition that takes place in emerging markets. By running local competitions, the Swiss-based group gives the selected startups pitch training and awards the winners with an opportunity to compete in the Global Summit where one of them will be crowned Seedstars World Global Winner. Through different activities of startup scouting, company building and acceleration programmes, the Seedstars team now has access to entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, corporations and government officials from more than 75 countries.