Kvasir Technologies and Freetilizer win the 2023 New Energy Challenge
• Startups Kvasir Technologies and Freetilizer are the winners of the eighth edition of the New Energy Challenge, a leading competition for startups and scaleups in renewable energy sector.
• Kvasir Technologies specialises in eliminating carbon emissions from the marine industry with their sustainable waste-based biofuel.
• Freetilizer converts organic by-products into stable and nutrient-rich solid and liquid organic fertilizers within 24 hours.
The finals of the 2023 New Energy Challenge took place at one of the most prominent events for purpose-driven organizations: ImpactFest in The Hague. It has been a long journey for the participating startups and scaleups, having been chosen from hundreds of entries from around the world and narrowed down to just ten finalists. During the two-day finals, the ten startups and scaleups presented their innovative technologies to the New Energy Challenge judges – who are seeking global emerging technologies that promote regenerative agriculture, have a positive impact on nature, and support sustainable use of land and resources.
All finalists were given the opportunity to work with investors and experts during the final phase of the New Energy Challenge, building their businesses through additional knowledge, contacts, funding, and support. From the ten finalists, Kvasir Technologies and Freetilizer were the chosen winners and now have the opportunity to work with Shell to shape and execute a potential collaboration.
The winning innovations
• Kvasir Technologies developed a game-changing process to produce climate-friendly fuel targeting hard-to-abate sectors, like the shipping industry. Their scalable technology converts waste-based plant biomass into a marine biofuel that can directly replace fossil fuel oil, demonstrating high yield and properties similar to marine heavy fuel oil. A solution that does not require vessel retrofitting or investment in new fleets suitable for alternative fuels.
• Freetilizer uses enzymatic hydrolysis in a controlled reactor to convert organic by-products into stable and nutrient-rich solid and liquid organic fertilizers within 24 hours. This cutting-edge approach reduces operational costs, eliminates waste, and generates valuable fertilizers, aligning with circular economy goals and providing a profitable solution for manure management.
Triple win for Kvasir Technologies
Kvasir Technologies made an unprecedented mark on the New Energy Challenge by securing the two additional prizes as well: the public choice awards and a membership for the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA). ETCA is the innovative campus Shell opened in 2022 for promising startups, scaleups, academics, and companies working on the energy transition, with research and development facilities on the northern banks of the IJ river in Amsterdam. A dozen companies have already taken their seat there.
Co-founder and COO, Anders Kristoffersen, Kvasir Technologies: “Winning this competition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team. We are over the moon with the potential collaboration and the ETCA membership. We are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in our industry. We really look forward to everything that follows this tremendous recognition as we strive to contribute to a greener world.”
Co-founder and COO, João Calixto, Freetilizer: “The New Energy Challenge not only accelerated our business but also fuelled our vision, lighting the way towards a brighter, more sustainable future. It has been so interesting to work with inspiring experts that helped us fine-tune our pitch and it was great meeting other impact-driven startups and scaleups.”
“Each of the participants has presented promising solutions that could contribute to a more sustainable energy future. Collaborating with startups is a cornerstone of innovation and growth in today’s dynamic business landscape. We recognize the importance of supporting emerging startups, their innovative ideas need a stage and investments to flourish and become scalable. Finding a match with corporates is often complicated, this is where programmes like the New Energy Challenge play an important role. We look forward to further working with the winners,” said Geert van de Wouw, Managing Director of Shell Ventures and President of the New Energy Challenge jury.
About The New Energy Challenge:
The New Energy Challenge is organized by Rockstart, Shell, Unknown Group and YES!Delft, and provides an annual open innovation competition that connects promising global startups and scaleups in the energy sector with stakeholders to accelerate the decarbonization of energy systems. In this way, we hope to make a lasting global impact on the energy transition.
Click here to read more about the New Energy Challenge.
