The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), with support from the government of the UAE and in partnership with Enel Foundation and Social Alpha, has launched the fourth edition of the IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator. This global initiative is designed to support and empower youth-led start-ups, scale-ups, and growth businesses active in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technology sectors. The four-month hybrid acceleration programme connects young innovators with technical and business experts to help consolidate their business models, expand their customer base, and improve their investment readiness, fostering their growth and contribution to the global energy transition.
Program Benefits
• A tailored four-month hybrid acceleration programme focused on renewable energy and climate technology.
• A specialized curriculum featuring expert-led webinars, workshops, and dedicated mentorship from IRENA experts.
• Access to exclusive pitching events, investment matchmaking opportunities, and connections with a global network of peers, mentors, and potential partners.
• The opportunity to be recognized through the IRENA Rising Stars Award, which provides winners with further support to scale their solutions.
Eligibility and Rules
• The call for applications is open to young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 from all over the world.
• At least one founder of the applying start-up must be 35 years old or younger.
• A minimum of two start-up founders must commit to attending 16 hours of accelerator sessions each per month.
• Applicants must guarantee that all submitted documentation is their original work and does not infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, or intellectual property rights of any other person or entity.
Focus Areas
The main business line of applying start-ups should fall within one of the following categories:
• Renewable Energy Technologies: Including solar, wind, hydropower, green hydrogen, geothermal, and bioenergy.
• Climate Adaptation Technologies: Solutions related to water, agriculture, livestock, extreme weather events, and early warning systems.
• Climate Mitigation Technologies: Innovations in transportation, decarbonization, circular economy, energy efficiency, energy transformation, and smart grids.
Program Timeline
• Application Period: 6 April – 3 May 2026
• Application Screening and Participant Selection: 4 May – 18 May 2026
• Announcement of Selected Cohort: 18 May 2026
• NewGen Training Programme: 1 June – 30 August 2026
• Business Linkage, IRENA Youth Award, and Post-Acceleration Engagement: 3 September – 30 September 2026
Application Details
• The application window is open from 10:00 GST / 8:00 CEST on 6 April 2026, and closes at 23:59 GST / 21:59 CEST on 3 May 2026.
• An Application Form Template and a Startup Profile PowerPoint are available for download to assist in drafting answers.
• Only applications submitted through the official application link will be considered.
• For any inquiries regarding the application process, please contact youth@irena.org.
The IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator serves as a global showcase for youth-led innovation, reflecting a commitment to empowering the next generation as active participants in the energy transition. By providing the necessary tools, knowledge, and support, the program aims to accelerate the development and implementation of groundbreaking solutions, ensuring that young innovators are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and resilient energy future for all.