24 Jun Enerjim Sensin Acceleration Programme offers 5.25 million TL in award support to energy start-ups
EPDK and ELDER’s power cooperation with ITU ARI Teknokent continues.
Applications for the Enerjim Sensin Acceleration Programme, organised by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) and the Electricity Distribution Services Association (ELDER) since 2019, are now open. Those that successfully complete the programme, which aims to support startups that develop technology for the energy sector in cooperation with ITU ARI Teknokent, will receive a total cash prize of 5.25 million TL. Applications for the programme will be open until 1 August 2025.
‘Enerjim Sensin’ Acceleration Programme, run in partnership with the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA), the with Electricity Distribution Companies and ITU ARI Teknokent, continues to offer comprehensive support to entrepreneurs working on innovative energy projects. Since 2019, EMRA and ELDER have organised the programme to encourage the growth and integration of start-ups offering digital transformation and sustainability-oriented solutions into the sector. Applications for the programme, which supports startups offering innovative solutions to energy sector problems, improving processes and adapting quickly to sectoral developments, will be accepted until 1 August 2025. The Enerjim Sensin Programme offers significant opportunities to entrepreneurs. Awards in the programme are tailored to different application options:
- Startups applying to the Enerjim Sensin stage will have the opportunity to win a cash prize of 2.25 million TL, as well as the chance to collaborate on R&D projects with Turkish electricity distribution joint-stock companies (EDAŞ).
- Startups applying to the ITU Çekirdek energy vertical and the Big Bang energy stage — supported by EMRA and ELDER — will be eligible for a cash prize of 3 million TL, as well as POC, sales, cooperation and investment opportunities with over 100 investors and corporate companies.
- Startups applying to both stages will have the chance to win a total cash prize of 5.25 million TL and benefit from all the opportunities on offer.
Additionally, startups will be eligible for a share of the Big Bang investment and prize pool totalling 2.85 billion TL, as well as access to sales, cooperation, and strategic partnership opportunities with leading companies in the energy sector.
Global Expansion Support for Energy Startups
Enerjim Sensin Acceleration Programme was founded by EMRA and ELDER in 2019, and has been carried out in cooperation with ITU Çekirdek since 2022. It provides more than just financial support; it also helps entrepreneurs with areas such as mentoring, industrial design, developing their business networks, and participating in domestic and overseas events. To date, the programme has received more than 450 applications, supported 110 startups, employed more than 500 people and held more than 1,135 mentoring sessions. To increase its effectiveness in the international arena, 15 startups supported under the Enerjim Sensin Programme took part in world-leading technology fairs such as CES and Slush. While 13 startups have opened up to global markets, two startups have received national and international patent support. To date, the programme has achieved a total investment of 135 million TL, a turnover of 155 million TL, and a total valuation of 2.5 billion TL.
EMRA Vice President and R&D Commission Chairman Hacı Ali Ulutaş stated that they provide significant support to start-ups offering innovative solutions to the sector through the ‘Enerjim Sensin’ Acceleration Programme. He said: “This event, branded as ‘Enerjim Sensin’ since 2019, has been carried out by EMRA and ELDER in order to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem and bring together the electricity distribution sector and entrepreneurs. It offers a valuable opportunity to further our country’s vision in the field of energy. Through the Enerjim Sensin Acceleration Programme, we have provided support to start-ups offering innovative solutions to the sector, totalling 135 million TL in investment, generating 155 million TL in turnover and achieving a total valuation potential of 2.5 billion TL. Entrepreneurs applying to the programme have the chance to access opportunities such as cash awards, mentoring, R&D collaborations and participation in international fairs, with a total value of 5.25 million TL. Digitalisation in the energy sector will boost Turkey’s global competitiveness and open new markets for our products and services. One of our main goals is to produce national technology products and increase our competitiveness through digitalisation in the energy sector. This sectoral transformation will contribute significantly to growth, employment, and new global market opportunities.”
We continue to support national projects in order to reduce foreign dependency, strengthen cyber security, and ensure that licence and maintenance costs, for example, remain in the country. We continue to support national projects to reduce foreign dependency, strengthen cybersecurity, and ensure that licence and maintenance costs remain in the country. Through the ‘Enerjim Sensin’ Acceleration Programme, which plays a key role in implementing these critical processes, our aim is to prepare our country for the future of the energy sector by establishing a fully domestic and national technological infrastructure.”
Barış Erdeniz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Electricity Distribution Services Association, stated that the main issues on the energy sector’s global agenda for a long time have been electrification, green transformation and carbon targets, and digital transformation and smart grids. He underlined that the Enerjim Sensin Acceleration Programme is an important step in preparing the electricity distribution sector for the future with sustainable and innovative solutions. He added that, thanks to EMRA’s support, new technologies can be developed and implemented in the energy sector. He continued, “In the energy sector, which is undergoing a major transformation on a global scale, the use of renewable energy resources, energy efficiency and sustainable energy solutions are becoming increasingly important. The future of our electricity distribution sector, the backbone of green transformation, is shaped by important trends such as greater integration of renewable energy, digitalisation, and smart grids. At Elder, we believe that our young people are the architects of our country’s future with their ideas and startups. We are extremely proud to reveal the potential of our country and support young entrepreneurs.”
Their innovative approach and energy will shape the future of the energy sector. We believe that this programme increases the dynamism of the energy sector and paves the way for important innovations in the field by contributing to the entrepreneurship ecosystem. We would like to remind you once again that our door is open to all entrepreneurs with ideas and projects.
ITU ARI Teknokent General Manager Prof. Dr. Attila Dikbaş stated that they offer entrepreneurs a comprehensive ecosystem with the ‘Enerjim Sensin’ Acceleration Programme, adding: “With the ‘Enerjim Sensin’ Acceleration Programme, we strengthen our mission to support innovative energy sector startups every year. Our cooperation with EMRA and ELDER has enabled us to provide our entrepreneurs with increasing support every year thanks to our consistent approach. This cooperation provides financial support and enables entrepreneurs to grow by offering various opportunities, such as mentoring, industrial design, and participation in national and international events. EMRA and ELDER’s commitment enables us to rapidly realise technologies that will drive digital transformation and sustainable solutions in the energy sector. In line with this vision, we offer a comprehensive ecosystem to support the development of entrepreneurs. We believe that this programme will accelerate important transformations in the energy sector and develop solutions for the future. I would like to invite all entrepreneurs developing future energy solutions and start-ups developing innovative technology to take advantage of this great opportunity.
All entrepreneurs who wish to contribute to the digitalisation and sustainability of the energy sector are welcome to join the Enerjim Sensin Programme.
ITU Çekirdek Energy Vertical Application: https://basvuru.itucekirdek.com/tr/katil/1/enerji_2025_4
EMRA | ELDER – Enerjim Sensin Programme Application: https://www.elder.org.tr/enerjim-sensin
