Net Zero Start-up Hub kicks off first incubation program in Fredericia
The Net Zero Start-up Hub has officially kicked off its first incubation program, bringing six international and Danish start-ups together in Fredericia to accelerate the development of next-generation solutions for sustainable data centers and digital infrastructure.
The six-month program marks the launch of a dedicated start-up track within the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers. The initiative is designed to connect early-stage innovators with industry partners, energy systems, and real-world test environments, helping promising technologies move from concept to implementation.
The incubation program is based in Fredericia, a location that brings together critical energy infrastructure, digital connectivity, and industrial expertise. This proximity enables start-ups to develop and test solutions close to the systems they are intended to support.
Kick-off focused on supply chains and pathways into data centers
The kick-off program brought start-ups, industry partners, and ecosystem stakeholders together around a shared agenda focused on how innovation enters data centers in practice.
Sessions explored the data center supply chain, the requirements operators place on new technologies, and how start-ups can collaborate with established companies to move from pilots to deployment. Discussions also addressed how early engagement with operators and infrastructure partners can reduce barriers to adoption and speed up scaling.
As part of a dedicated knowledge-sharing session, team members from different google departments joined the program to share perspectives and inside knowledge.
“Google's commitment to the Net Zero Start-up Hub reflects a long-term commitment to Fredericia, home to our Danish data center,” said Niels Martin Andersen, Senior Public Affairs Manager at Google. “The Data Center industry is experiencing unprecedented growth globally and we need innovation to meet the demands for scale, pace and sustainability. The Net Zero Start-up Hub will help to unlock this potential by scaling and accelerating new innovative data center solutions.”
From ambition to implementation
As demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, the need for solutions that reduce energy use, increase flexibility, and support decarbonization is becoming increasingly urgent.
The Net Zero Start-up Hub was established to address this challenge by creating a structured environment where start-ups can work closely with data center operators, technology providers, and energy system actors. The goal is to ensure that new solutions are developed with a clear understanding of operational requirements and realistic pathways to scale.
Fredericia as host for innovation
The kick-off also included a small press event, where the Mayor of Fredericia welcomed the participating start-ups and partners while highlighting the city’s role as a hub for energy systems and digital infrastructure.
“Fredericia brings together energy infrastructure, industry, and digital solutions in a unique way,” said Peder Tind, Mayor of Fredericia. “With the Net Zero Start-up Hub, we are proud to welcome international start-ups and help turn global ambition into concrete solutions developed here in Fredericia.”
Six start-ups selected for the program
The following start-ups have been selected to participate in the first Net Zero Start-up Hub incubation program:
- AirJoule
- Halide Energy
- Neocarbon
- Sperra
- Shiptown
- Zero Entropy
The start-ups work across areas such as heat reuse, carbon capture, hydrogen as backup energy, long duration energy storage, and other solutions for data center infrastructure.
A structured incubation approach
- During the six-month program, the start-ups will take part in a structured incubation process that includes:
- Access to industry partners and domain experts
- Advisory board and mentorship support
- Opportunities to test and validate solutions in real-world contexts
- Support in refining business models and scaling strategies
The program is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, ensuring that promising technologies are developed with the operational realities of digital infrastructure in mind.
“The start of this incubation program marks an important step in turning ambition into action,” said Alberto Ravagni, CEO, Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers. “Through the Net Zero Start-up Hub, we are creating a structured environment where start-ups can work directly with industry partners to develop, test, and scale solutions that address real challenges in digital infrastructure and energy systems.”
About the Net Zero Start-up Hub
The Net Zero Start-up Hub is a flagship initiative of the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers and the Danish Data Center Industry (DDI), headquartered in Fredericia, Denmark. It is developed in partnership with a unique group of global technology leaders and energy system pioneers, including Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, Danfoss, and Data4.
Situated in Fredericia—a European hotspot for green energy and digital infrastructure—the Hub provides start-ups with access to strong industry networks, advanced infrastructure, and one of Europe’s most ambitious decarbonization roadmaps. The Net Zero Start-up Hub is designed to connect early-stage innovators with the partners, systems, and market access needed to turn ideas into deployable solutions.
