UK startup Brill Power wins this year’s New Energy Challenge

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UK energy startup Brill Power won this year’s New Energy Challenge in Amsterdam, taking home a €100,000 convertible loan and a year’s worth of business advice from Shell Technology Ventures. Prince Constantijn van Oranje presented the award on Thursday.

Brill Power is building a solution to improve energy storage in battery packs that allows users to control each individual lithium-ion cell. The solution was described as a “real game-changer” in a world that is seeking reliable means to store renewable energy.

“We are really thrilled to have won. The New Energy Challenge is about so much more than winning. The interaction and collaboration with specialists, the jury members and the other startups during EnergyFest was a reward in itself,” said Carolyn Hicks, head of finance at Brill Power.

The New Energy Challenge sought startups with innovative ideas from all around Europe developing efficient and sustainable energy sources of the future. The program was run by Shell Technology Ventures, Rockstart, and YES!Delft.

A record 246 startups competed in the New Energy Challenge with 20 finalists shortlisted to compete in a week of workshops to hone and refine their ideas for an innovative energy future. The finalists were whittled down to ten that pitched to the New Energy Challenge jury at EnergyFest.

Brill Power is a perfect example of what the New Energy Challenge is looking for, said Geert van de Wouw, manager of Shell Technology Ventures.

“We need to fast-track the development and commercialization of new energy solutions – from technologies to business models if we are to succeed in the energy transition,” he said.

This year’s runners-up were Solaris Offgrid from Spain, which has built a pay-as-you-go solar energy platform for regions under-served by modern forms of energy, and HySiLabs from France, which has developed a hydrogen-based liquid fuel that has zero emissions and is easy to transport. Both will take home a cash prize and will take part in the accelerator programmes run by Rockstart and YES!Delft for further support to grow their business.