Energy Transition and Entrepreneurship

“Entrepreneurship in Energy” Webinar

On September 28, the webinar “Entrepreneurship in Energy” took place, which highlighted the role of public policies as catalyst for innovation, and the role of entrepreneurship in the service of the energy transition. This webinar was organised by AHK Chile, AHK Mexico and the Bayern Representation, in collaboration with the Energy Partnership Chile-Alemania.

First, Gabriel Prudencio, Head of the Sustainable Energy Division of the Chilean Ministry of Energy, gave the current national context regarding the challenges of the energy transition, highlighting the sustained increase of renewable energies in the national electricity matrix, the nexus between water and clean energy, and decarbonisation projects. Among these, the electromobility of the public transport in Santiago de Chile was mentioned, as well as the digitalisation of the energy sector.

Then, Alberto Valdes, General Director of Development and Sustainability of the Secretariat of Economic Development of Mexico City, made his presentation on the role of public energy policies in the promotion of entrepreneurship, where he showed the attendees the Mexican situation in energy matters, highlighting the high participation of carbon-based fuels and the existing gap between electricity production and consumption in the Mexican capital. In view of this, the local government has implemented regulations that promote the adoption of renewable energies, such as photovoltaic and solar thermal panels, as well as plans to promote entrepreneurship, including financing instruments for those interested.

Finally, Maximilian Irbeck, Director of the Energy Platform of the Centre for Digital Transformation in Bayern, Germany, presented on the instruments for the promotion of startups in Germany. In his presentation, he discussed the challenges and opportunities for those interested in starting up in the German energy sector, as well as highlighting the advantages and benefits of doing so in Munich.

After the round of presentations, a panel discussion moderated by Annika Schüttler, Project Leader for Energy and Sustainability at AHK Chile, focused on the key factors for a successful energy venture. The speakers concluded that a simple and defined regulatory framework, training and involvement of the population in the energy transition, and offering economic incentives to the actors involved, are key to success.

This webinar concluded with a presentation by Pamela Valdivia, Executive Director of the Bayern Representation, who closed the event by presenting the lines of action and activities planned by AHK Chile and the Bayern Representation. Among these, a "start-up summer-school" scheduled for mid-2022, instances of collaboration with incubators and accelerators of entrepreneurship in both countries, and the challenge "Start-up Energy Bayern" were highlighted.

Presentation by Gabriel Prudencio, Head of the Sustainable Energy Division at the Chilean Ministry of Energy.

Presentation by Alberto Valdes, General Director of Development and Sustainability of the Secretariat of Economic Development of Mexico City.

Maximilian Irbeck, Director of the Energy Platform of the Centre for Digital Transformation in Bayern, Germany.

Presentation by Pamela Valdivia, Executive Director of the Bayern Representation for South America.

Startup Energy Bayern

The "Startup Energy Bayern" programme is aimed at energy start-ups in Germany, Austria and Switzerland that are less than four years old. It aims to promote start-ups in the energy sector and connect them directly to the industry.

Companies participating in the programme enter a biannual competition, where three finalist companies, after a selection process involving NGOs and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, are presented to the public, which chooses the winner of a prize pool of 30,000 euros.

More information on the competition can be found at the following link (DE).

Presentations

Ciudad Solar: The Role of Public Energy Policy in Boosting Entrepreneurship

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Challenges for the Energy Transition in Chile

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Promotion Instruments for Startups and Startup Energy Program Bavaria

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ES