EDP Celebrates 10 Years of Free Electrons: 275 Startups and €124M Generated
Free Electrons, the global open innovation program developed by six energy companies including EDP, marks its tenth anniversary by entering an intensive bootcamp phase. This event brings together 30 startups in Lisbon to assess the alignment between their solutions and the needs of the energy sector.
A Program Serving the Energy Transition
Since its inception in 2016, Free Electrons has brought together more than 275 startups from around the world and generated over €124 million in economic impact. The program has resulted in 340 collaborations: 274 pilots, 37 real-world deployments, and 29 investments. This trajectory positions Free Electrons as the largest open innovation program in the global energy sector.
Tomás Moreno, head of EDP's innovation ecosystem, emphasizes that 'celebrating ten years of Free Electrons is to recognize the critical role of open innovation in transforming the energy sector. By connecting startups and energy companies, the program accelerates experimentation, reduces implementation times, and provides practical solutions that meet the challenges of the energy transition.'
Bootcamp in Lisbon and Selection Schedule
The 2026 bootcamp phase takes place from June 23 to 26 in Lisbon, hosted by EDP at MAAT Central and the Palácio do Marquês de Tancos. During these four days, startups and energy companies participate in individual meetings, collaboration sessions, and discussions to validate the alignment between the proposed solutions and the needs of the sector.
At the end of this stage, 15 startups will be selected to continue. They will move on to the Master Module on September 14 in the United Kingdom, where utilities and startups will together define an operational plan for the envisaged pilots. The finale, including an Open Day to designate the startup of the year, will be held on November 16 in Canada.
