By Audun Abelsnes, Managing Director

We are thrilled to announce and welcome the 2023 class of the Equinor & Techstars Energy Accelerator. The program started in beautiful Norway March 20st and our Demo Day will take place June 15th. As we are celebrating our 5th anniversary and our 5th program, we also would like to thank everyone that has been part of our journey; Investors, mentors, energy corporations. Special thanks to our amazing corporate partner Equinor & Capgemini and our investment partner, Sandwater. Let us not forget that the 2018 class of the Equinor and Techstars Energy accelerator is pushing 1BN USD in equity value!

The Equinor & Techstars Energy Accelerator brings together three very strong networks – Equinor, Capgemini and Techstars, but also investment partner Sandwater – and our one and only goal is to support and grow these 9 incredible companies over the next 13 weeks and beyond. 

The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Our 3.300+ portfolio companies have raised $21 billion in capital, with 85% of our portfolio companies remaining active or having been acquired. Together, Equinor, Capgemini and Techstars create an unfair advantage for founders and give them the best chance for success.  

In addition to being selective, the Equinor & Techstars Energy Accelerator is global and diverse. Entrepreneurs from Canada, the US, UK, Sweden, Zimbabwe, Australia and Norway will spend 3 months with us. They were selected from a very strong global applicant pool from 51 countries, all focused around energy in a broad context. I would like to thank our mentors, sponsors, partners and alumni for their generous support in this process. Special thanks to Equinor and Capgemini for their true commitment to the success of the Equinor and Techstars Energy Accelerator.

Some words from our fantastic partners : 

“We believe that the innovation, creativity and agility of startups can drive change towards a low-carbon future. Innovation, both in technology and the way we work, is key to future success. The best ideas come from dedicated and inspired individuals, and ideas are turned into reality through people working together. We all have to contribute, and now, more than ever, we must work together – because the only way to achieve our goal is, in fact, to walk down that road together”, says Milou Slaman, Equinor program lead. 

"To successfully deliver on the energy transition, we at Capgemini Invent believe we are absolutely dependent on the innovative minds and bold ideas that startups represent. At the Equinor & Techstars Energy Accelerator, we get to learn from and support the most impressive entrepreneurs across the world, bringing in our leading expertise on strategy, digital and innovation to help them accelerate their business. We are really looking forward to meeting the 2023 class!" Sigurd Knapstad, Director and Head of Energy Transition in Capgemini Invent Norway. 

“To meet the challenges we see ahead, Sandwater strongly believes in backing founders and teams working on new solutions to address the much needed energy transition who have the ambition and grit to drive a real systematic change. We are excited to support and collaborate with these teams in the Techstars accelerator program, and we look forward to following their venture journeys closely in the years to come.” – Tom Even Mortensen, CEO of Sandwater.

Go team Techstars Energy! 

Without further ado, here are the 2023 Equinor & Techstars Energy Accelerator companies: 

Enki, United States: AI-Powered Market Intelligence Platform for Climate Tech Companies.

Enurgen, Canada: Enurgen is a clean-tech sustainable energy software solution composed of highly specialized software modeling engines.

Liquidstar, United States: Liquidstar is a company that provides infrastructure in a box through its Solar Powered Waypoint charging stations.

NeedEnergy, South-Africa/Australia:The Missing Platform For Trading Renewable & Clean Energy at the Edge of the Grid.

Neomare, Norway: Neomare is a Norwegian provider of high-resolution subsurface imaging, with a modular acquisition system.

Norsjór, Norway: Advanced laser technology to perform sustainable biofouling removal of maritime surfaces.

OE Systems, Sweden: OE Systems has developed a wave energy converter available in sizes up to 15MW/turbine that is designed to work in parallel to offshore wind turbines to increase grid utilization, double out per offshore site.

Solavio, India: Solavio design solar panel dry cleaning robots to reduce soiling, increase plant generation and save water.

WeMe, Norway: WeMe is a Nordic well-being startup offering products and services that effectively strengthens dialogue between employees and managers to reduce stress and burnout.

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