Net Zero Innovation Hub Launches 2027 Start-Up Hub Innovation Call
Building on the success of its inaugural cohort, the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers has opened applications for the 2027 Net Zero Start-Up Hub, its flagship, industry-led incubation initiative for emerging technology companies.
Run by the Net Zero Innovation hub and powered by a collaboration between Google, Danish Data Center Industry, and DTU, the six-month incubation program connects emerging technology companies with leading operators, technology providers, engineering firms, and industry experts, helping bridge the gap between innovation and industry adoption.
Built around real industry challenges, the program helps participants strengthen their commercial readiness and prepare technologies for future validation and deployment.
The inaugural cohort in 2025-2026 brought together six innovative companies, several of which are now progressing toward collaboration and validation activities with Hub members.
For its second year, the start-up hub will focus on accelerating technologies that can help address some of the most pressing challenges facing the rapidly growing data center industry.
The 2027 Call for Innovation seeks technologies within three strategic focus areas:
- Power
- Heat Reuse & Heat-to-X
- Efficiency
Selected companies will participate in a six-month incubation program combining workshops, mentoring, site visits, one-to-one meetings, and industry events. The program also leverages the Hub's connections to the investor ecosystem, including initiatives such as the EU Clean Energy Systems Program, to help connect emerging technologies with industry, strategic partners, and future investment opportunities.
Applications close 31 August 2026, with finalists invited to Pitch Day in Fredericia on 22 September 2026.Google will once again sponsor the Pitch Awards, recognizing three outstanding teams with prizes of €10,000, €7,000, and €5,000.
Up to ten companies will be selected for the 2027 cohort
Alberto Ravagni, CEO of the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers comments:
"Innovation doesn't scale through technology alone. It requires collaboration between industry, technology developers, and investors. The Net Zero Start-Up Hub helps reduce the barriers between innovation and adoption by connecting emerging companies with industry challenges, strategic partners, and the investment ecosystem. That is how we accelerate the development of scalable solutions for sustainable digital infrastructure."
Henrik Hansen, CEO, Danish Data Center Industry says:
"Innovation is essential if we are to meet the growing demand for digital infrastructure while continuing to improve its sustainability. Denmark has a unique opportunity to become a leading test bed for new technologies by bringing startups, industry, researchers, and public partners together. Initiatives like the Net Zero Start-Up Hub help strengthen both our innovation ecosystem and the long-term competitiveness of the data center industry."
🔗Download the Program Guide and Apply.
About the Net Zero Innovation Hub and the Net Zero Start-up Hub
The Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers unites leaders of the data center industry to accelerate the deployment of advanced net zero solutions. Led by APL, Danfoss, Data4, Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric, and Vertiv, the Hub de-risks innovation by removing technical, commercial, regulatory, and financial risks.
Through a unique and structured collaborative innovation methodology, its goal is to support sustainable data center growth while enabling the transition toward a net-zero future.
The Start-Up Hub is a flagship initiative under the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers’ approach to identifying, testing, and de-risking new technologies for the data center industry. The industry-led incubation program is designed to connect emerging technology companies with the expertise, partnerships, and validation opportunities needed to accelerate innovation in sustainable digital infrastructure.
For general & press enquiries, please contact:
Christine Kjær Jacobsen
Director of Communications & Community Engagement
chja@netzerodatacenters.com
For questions about the application process, please contact:
David Mogensen
Program Lead
dm@netzerodatacenters.com
