SolarHub Acceleration Program – Apply Now!

It comprises three distinct cycles, each tailored to address the specific needs and challenges of different stakeholders in the innovation process. The first cycle, SolarHub Ignition, focuses on early-stage startups, entrepreneurs, and research teams, providing ideation workshops, basic business model formation, and initial market research.

The subsequent cycle, SolarHub Momentum, is geared towards more established startups with a defined product or service, offering advanced business development, market penetration strategies, and investor readiness training. Finally, the SolarHub Synergies cycle caters to mature startups or SMEs with established products or services, aiding in expansion strategies, advanced market analysis, and partnership and network expansion.

SolarHub Ignition

• The SolarHub Ignition phase is the 1st cycle of the SolarHub Acceleration Program, designed for early-stage startups, entrepreneurs, researchers, and research teams dedicated to solar energy innovations. It is an essential starting point for those who are at the very beginning of transforming their solar energy concepts into reality, offering a six-month-long innovation support environment.
• Participants in the SolarHub Ignition phase will benefit from a structured program that includes education and training, ideation workshops, mentorship and coaching, networking opportunities, and access to both finance and cutting-edge solar technologies. These components are aimed at enhancing the participants’ understanding of both technical and commercial aspects of solar energy solutions, thereby fostering a holistic approach to innovation.
• Through the Ignition phase, teams or startups are not required to be incorporated, providing flexibility and encouraging participation from a broader range of innovators and researchers based in Greece, Türkiye, or Southeast Europe with links to the 2 countries. The ultimate goal of this phase is to prepare participants to refine their business strategies, advance their technological development, and effectively communicate their vision to investors and stakeholders, setting them on a trajectory for growth and long-term success in the solar energy sector.

SolarHub Momentum & Synergies

• As the program will evolve from the foundational Ignition phase, it will broaden its scope and deepen its impact with the following Momentum and Synergies phases. The Momentum phase is tailored for startups that have progressed beyond the initial stage and have a defined product or service in the solar energy domain. Finally, the Synergies phase will target mature startups or SMEs that have established products or services and are now looking to expand their reach and consolidate their market position. This phase will support strategic expansion, advanced market analysis, and further development of partnerships and networks.

What participants will get from the program?

The Program is tailored to help startups and young researchers by providing comprehensive support and resources necessary for the development and commercialization of solar energy innovations. Here’s what participants can expect to gain from the program:

• Education & Training: A mix of entrepreneurship and technical training covering key areas such as business strategy, market analysis, financial planning, and the technical aspects of solar energy.
• Ideation Workshops: Workshops aimed at deepening the understanding of both technical and commercial aspects of solar energy solutions, encouraging a comprehensive approach to innovation.
• Mentorship / Coaching: Expert mentoring in business, entrepreneurship, and strategy, coupled with coaching on technical matters with the support of the scientific partners to refine your project’s direction and focus.
• Networking Opportunities: Access to a wide range of networking events with industry professionals, peers, and potential collaborators, designed to forge new partnerships, expand customer bases, and initiate collaborative projects.
• Access to Finance & Funding: Direct assistance in navigating financing opportunities, including introductions to funds and venture capitalists (VCs), along with guidance on how to effectively pitch projects to potential investors.
• Early Access to Pre-designs: Exclusive early access to cutting-edge pre-designs to inspire and guide the creative process, offering participants a unique competitive advantage in developing innovative solar energy solutions.

Who is this program for?

• Early-stage startups & Research Teams working on Solar Energy.
• Entrepreneurs & researchers ready to start a spin-off (related to Solar Energy).

Eligibility Criteria

• Entrepreneurs, Research Teams or Startups with less than 5 years of operations.
• Teams do not need to be incorporated (have established legal entities) to participate in this stage of the acceleration program.
• Teams must be based in any Widening Country as defined in Horizon Europe programme, as long as at least 30% of the team members are operating in the Greek or Turkish ecosystem.
• Start-ups can be established in any Horizon Europe eligible country but need to have a proven collaboration with the Greek or Turkish entity (of any type: Academic, business, organisation, etc.) proven through a simple MoU.
• In the case of start-ups outside Greece or Türkiye these must establish a business collaboration with an entity in Greece or Türkiye. This must be described in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• Working on products, services or solutions related to Solar Energy regardless of the application domain.

For more information, visit Solar Heat Europe.