EnergyTech University Prize 2025: (Deadline 3 February, 2025)

Applications are open for the EnergyTech University Prize 2025. Sponsored by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the American-Made EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) challenges student teams to compete for cash prizes for successfully identifying a promising energy technology, assessing its market potential, and creating a business plan for commercialization. Faculty are challenged to create innovative implementation plans that expand energy technology commercialization. 

Prize Structure

For Student Competitors

Student teams interested in EnergyTech UP will compete for more than $400,000 in cash prizes as they explore business opportunities for lab-developed or other high-potential energy technologies, assess commercialization opportunities through market analysis, and present a viable business plan to industry judges. 

Understanding that energy is often inherently local, competitor teams first present at their designated regional events in March, where regional finalists are identified. Teams that are invited to participate in the regional events receive free access to OTT’s Energy I-Corps curriculum. Finalists are provided exclusive mentorship to help students refine their ideas throughout March and April. Finally, the finalists pitch their complete business plan as part of a national conference in April 2025 (tentative).

For Faculty Competitors

The faculty track of EnergyTech UP is designed for educators who may benefit from mentorship and resources to create an implementation plan for their blossoming ideas for integrating or expanding energy technology commercialization or entrepreneurship activities at their home institution.

Faculty (or faculty teams) will compete for more than $100,000 in cash prizes through three phases of competition. They will develop a proposal to expand energy technology commercialization or entrepreneurship activities at their home institution; receive access to a DOE mentor and DOE resources; and work toward showing how their plans could be integrated into student activities. 

Eligibility

• You can apply if you are a collegiate student or faculty member interested in transitioning energy technologies to market.
• Entries must be in English.

Application

Here are next steps you can take to get started: 

• Indicate your interest in competing by filling out this interest form
• Sign up to compete in EnergyTech UP on HeroX, the official competition platform.
• Read the EnergyTech UP Official Rules document
• Join the 2025 informational webinars:
  • Oct. 24, 2024 (watch a recording of the webinar)
  • Dec. 10, 2024 (watch a recording of the webinar)  
  • Jan. 23, 2025 (register to join)
• Learn about DOE National Lab-developed energy technologies to use for this competition on the OTT Lab Partnering Service.

For more information, visit EnergyTech University Prize.