Solar X Startup Challenge for Asia-Pacific Region

This initiative is dedicated to capacity building, and follows the success of its Africa edition. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is a pivotal player in shaping a sustainable and low-carbon future for the world. The SolarX Startup Challenge is open for participation for all startups, entrepreneurs, innovators in the solar sector. From the submissions, 20 promising startups will be selected as the winners of the challenge and will be granted USD 15,000 in cash.

The winners in the SolarX Startup Challenge will not only gain financial backing but also benefit from a robust acceleration program and receive mentorship from seasoned professionals. Successful entrepreneurs will find avenues to engage with potential investors and opportunities to explore diverse markets across the Asia-Pacific region. Centered on nurturing scalable business models and expediting global energy transitions, the SolarX Startup Challenge encapsulates the shared commitment to unlocking the vast potential for solar deployment.

Problem Statements

• Develop scalable and sustainable off-grid solar solutions to address energy poverty in remote and underserved areas across APAC countries.
• Develop scalable models to boost cost competitiveness in solar applications for logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain.
• Development of innovative, space-efficient solar technology to address limited land availability in densely populated/land-deficient countries.
• Development of circular economy in solar for recycling end-of-life solar panels, reducing electronic waste, and ensuring responsible disposal.
• Develop Al, lot GPS-based SaaS tools to enhance manufacturing, deployment, and integration of solar energy.
• Innovate manufacturing for sustainable, efficient materials to enhance energy output, cost reduction, and improved efficiency in solar equipment.
• Technical or business model innovations to reduce the cost of grid integration, optimizing energy distribution of rooftop solar, utility-scale solar, and energy storage solutions.
• Implement solar-powered technologies for sustainable water management in various regions.
• Promote the development and adoption of solar-powered solutions for innovative business models.
• Other Areas of Solar Application with on-ground applications.

Three-fold Benefits to the APAC Region

• Promotion of the Solar Energy Sector: Elevate the solar energy sector by supporting and promoting transformative solutions.
• Thinning the Energy Crisis Gap in Asia-Pacific: Address the energy crisis gap in remote and underserved areas, ensuring greater energy accessibility.
• Promotion of a Strong Startup Ecosystem in Asia Pacific: Cultivate a robust startup ecosystem by encouraging entrepreneurship and fostering economic growth.

Eligibility Criteria

• Operation Duration: Must have operated for a maximum of 10 years, calculated from the
• Revenue: Participants must demonstrate a consistent generation of monthly revenue from their operations.
• Innovation: Must showcase a minimum viable product and/or service explicitly related to innovation.

For more information, visit International Solar Alliance.