Deadline Date: May 3, 2026
The IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator 2026 is requesting applications to support youth-led clean energy ventures in scaling their business models and strengthening investment readiness.
Focus Areas, renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, hydropower, green hydrogen, geothermal and bioenergy, energy efficiency, clean technology innovation, climate adaptation technologies including water systems, agriculture, livestock, extreme weather resilience and early warning systems, climate mitigation technologies including transportation, decarbonization, circular economy, energy transformation and smart grids, youth entrepreneurship, start-up and scale-up business acceleration, investment readiness, customer base expansion, renewable energy market development, climate technology innovation.
The programme is launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency with support from the Government of the United Arab Emirates and in partnership with the Enel Foundation and Social Alpha. It aims to strengthen early-stage and growth-stage enterprises working in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean technology by providing structured acceleration support.
The accelerator is designed as a four-month hybrid programme where selected participants work closely with technical and business experts. The support focuses on improving business models, expanding customer reach, and enhancing overall investment readiness to enable scalable impact in the clean energy sector.
Participants benefit from tailored acceleration in renewable energy and climate technology, along with webinars, workshops, and dedicated mentorship provided through the programme. The initiative also provides access to pitching events and investment matchmaking opportunities to connect ventures with potential investors and partners.
The programme is open to youth-led start-ups, scale-ups, and growth businesses from around the world. Applicants must have at least one founder under the age of 35, and at least two founders must commit 16 hours per month to the accelerator sessions. The programme also requires participants to ensure originality of submissions and compliance with intellectual property and related legal standards.
Eligible ventures must operate within renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, hydropower, green hydrogen, geothermal, and bioenergy. They may also focus on climate adaptation solutions including agriculture, water systems, livestock resilience, and early warning systems, or climate mitigation technologies such as transportation decarbonization, circular economy approaches, energy efficiency improvements, and smart grid innovations.
For more information, visit IREA.
