Call for early-stage Companies in Sustainable Digital Infrastructure and Energy Technologies

Call For Innovation:

Net Zero Start-Up Hub 2026-2027

Accelerate your technology. Connect with industry. Build your path to deployment.

The Net Zero Innovation Hub is looking for ambitious, innovative technology companies shaping the future of sustainable digital infrastructure to join the 2026-2027 Start-Up Hub.

Throughout the 6-month incubaton program, selected companies will gain direct access to leading data center operators, technology providers, and industry experts while strengthening their product-market fit, gaining industry insights, and building connections with the organizations shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

The program is designed specifically for innovative companies developing technologies relevant to data centers, combining industry knowledge, commercial readiness, and direct access to leading operators, technology companies, and experts from across the European data center ecosystem.

Apply by August 31

Overview & Timeline

Start-Up Hub 2026-2027

Application Deadline: August 31, 2026
Pitch Event & Final Selection: September 22, 2026 (Fredericia, Denmark)

Onboarding & Roadmap Development: October-December 2026
Incubation Program: 1 January - 31 June 2027

Partners in the Net-Zero Start-Up Hub 2026-2027:

Why Join the Net Zero Startup hub?

Built for the Data Center Industry

Every part of the program is designed specifically for companies developing technologies relevant to digital infrastructure. From the curriculum and mentors to industry engagement and networking opportunities, the program is tailored to the needs of the European data center ecosystem.

Industry-Led insights

The 6-month incubation program combines in-person workshops, virtual sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and industry events. The program is built around real challenges identified by leading organizations across the European data center industry, providing a unique perspective on customer needs, procurement processes, market trends, and the evolving data center value chain.

Access to the Ecosystem

Connect directly with leading data center operators, technology companies, engineering firms, investors, and industry experts. Build relationships across the European data center ecosystem while gaining a deeper understanding of the market and the technologies shaping the digital and energy transition.

Investor Engagement

The Hub leverages its connections to the investor ecosystem and initiatives such as the EU Clean Energy Systems Program to bridge the gap between innovation, industry, and investment. By combining industry engagement with investor access, we help connect emerging technologies to real-world validation and deployment opportunities while supporting the development of scalable, investable solutions.

Who should apply?

The program is designed for innovative companies (TRL 5-7) developing technologies relevant to the future of sustainable digital infrastructure. No prior experience with the data center industry is needed.

We welcome applications from the EMEA region

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Address one or more of the program's innovation focus areas.
TRL 5-7 (Reference TRL is 6)
Be ready to demonstrate their technology in a relevant environment within the next 6–18 months.
Have strong potential for scalability.
Be available to participate in the in-person Pitch Day in Fredericia, Denmark, on September 22, 2026.
Be committed to actively participating throughout the six-month program, including four in-person sessions in Fredericia, Denmark.

The program is designed to meet companies where they are. We will work with selected companies across technical validation and commercial readiness to explore credible pathways to scale in data center environments.

Apply by August 31

Innovation Focus Areas

Applications should address one or more of the following innovation focus areas

List of Services

How does the Net Zero Start-Up Hub work?

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. We focus on technologies and business models that accelerate decarbonisation of digital infrastructure.

Additional questions? Download the Program Guide for more details about the Start-Up Hub

1. Pitch & Selection

Shared industry requirements are translated into a call for innovation from innovative companies.

Timeline & Application Process:

31 August 2026: Application deadline
8 September: Initial selection for Pitch event
22 September: Pitch event and selection in Fredericia

At the Pitch Event on 22 September 2026 in Fredericia, three outstanding teams will receive direct financial awards (sponsored by Google):

1st Prize: EUR 10,000
2nd Prize: EUR 7,000
3rd Prize: EUR 5,000

Apply

2. Onboarding & Roadmaps

October - December 2026

Individual onboarding meetings to align expectations, meet the team and get started on your individual roadmaps

The goal of these meetings is to discuss and define together:

Goals and expectations for joining the start-up hub
Define success criteria
Identify gaps in skills/knowledge and set requirements for mentoring

3. Incubation Program

January - June 2026

The 6-month tailored incubation program combines in-person workshops, virtual sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and industry events to balance practical learning with flexibility.

4. Advisory board & Mentorship

Graduation marks the beginning of your long-term engagement with the Net Zero Innovation Hub.

Alumni remain part of the Hub community, receive continued access to networking opportunities, and may be invited to future events, mentoring activities, innovation calls, and collaboration opportunities as relevant.

Meet the Alumni

The inaugural program in 2025-2026 brought together start-ups from Denmark, Finland, Germany, and the United States to explore how emerging technologies can help address some of the industry’s most pressing challenges.