Tata Trusts and Social Alpha launched the second edition of Social Alpha Energy Challenge 2.0 (SAEC 2.0), inviting applications in two categories, “pre-pilot” and “post-pilot”, meant to address the needs for technologies and start-ups in various stages of product development differently.

The “pre-pilot” category aims to support innovations which are in their very early stage and need handholding and mentoring for product development, including support in physical prototype development and testing.

The “post-pilot” category, on the other hand, is for start-ups which have crossed the first pilot or have demonstrated a working prototype and need more support in product management and go to market execution.

Individuals, institutions and start-ups with clean energy technology innovations that have the potential to address the issues of energy poverty, energy access and climate change, scale across locations as well as business model sustainability can apply for SAEC 2.0.

Manoj Kumar, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Tata Trusts and CEO, Social Alpha, said, “To meet the exponentially growing global energy needs and to make energy accessible to all, it is critical to promote and invest in technology innovations that enhance availability, sustainability and efficiency across the entire energy lifecycle. Sustainable energy is one of the greatest enabler for livelihoods and has the potential to transforms lives, economies and the planet.”

A maximum of 20 innovations will be selected and incubated by the Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC).

CEIIC, Social Alpha’s deep-tech Energy Innovation Lab, is the joint initiative of the Government of India and Tata Trusts. Supported by Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC, Tata Power and Tata Power-Delhi Distribution Limited,

CEIIC has become the first International Incubator in India under Mission Innovation, focussed on cleantech and climate change.

The application for SAEC 2.0 will be assessed on select parameters such as the breakthrough nature of the innovation, business viability, environmental sustainability, social impact, and scalability potential.

The last date to submit the applications is June 30 this year.