Accelerate Skellefteå 2021 programme opens for applications for clean energy startups in Northern Sweden

Accelerate Skellefteå is a five-month long accelerator programme which aims to give startups with ideas in energy storage, mobility, and electrification the opportunity to further develop their concepts together with world-leading companies in Skellefteå, while also contributing to the momentum of innovation in existing industries. The initiative is operated jointly by EIT InnoEnergy, Skellefteå Kraft and Skellefteå Science City and this year also reinforced by the high-tech metals company Boliden and global IT Consultancy firm Data Ductus.

"We are now taking the next step and further developing last year's successful programme. Together with the new 2021 programme hosts Boliden Rönnskär and Data Ductus, our ambition is to identify tomorrow's sustainable energy solutions", says Ann-Christine Schmidt, RD&I Coordinator at Skellefteå Kraft.

"Skellefteå is in focus for Europe's green energy transition and Accelerate Skellefteå is an important initiative to develop Skellefteå ecosystems in energy. In the long run, we believe that the programme will lead to the development of new sustainable energy solutions in Skellefteå, which can then reach a global market", says Kenneth Johansson, CEO of EIT InnoEnergy. Scandinavia.

For the new programme hosts of the 2021 programme, Accelerate Skellefteå is an opportunity to refine and develop the innovation process within their own organisations. Boliden Rönnskär, whose long-term climate goal is to produce metals with a low carbon footprint, is actively working to find new solutions to achieve the goal of reducing its CO2 intensity by 40% by 2030.

"Through Accelerate Skellefteå, we see the opportunity to scan the European market for new innovative technologies to find ways to accelerate that process", says Karin Ahnqvist, Corporate Responsibility Manager Boliden Rönnskär.

Data Ductus has previously driven innovation development through its own incubators but sees great advantages in working across industries to accelerate even more innovative solutions in sustainability. 

"At Data Ductus, we are passionate about sustainability in a larger perspective. The green energy transition feels obvious to contribute to, but also innovations that generally improve the conditions for us humans in a longer perspective. Sustainable relationships and sustainable IT solutions will be our keywords in Accelerate Skellefteå", says AnnaCarin Falkman, Head of BU IoT / IT at Data Ductus.

The call for applications to Accelerate Skellefteå 2021 is now open for all startups in Europe until 31 August 2021. More information and application forms are available on Accelerate Skellefteå's website. accelerateskelleftea.com

Accelerate Skellefteå offers startups with ideas in energy storage, mobility, and electrification to participate in the development program. The first round of Accelerate Skellefteå took place in the autumn of 2020. The Accelerate Skellefteå concept has been developed in collaboration with Skellefteå Kraft, EIT InnoEnergy and Skellefteå Science City.

The call for the 2020 programme resulted in 42 applications from over 20 countries. Five companies were selected and became part of a twelve-week programme through which they had the opportunity to develop their business ideas together with coaches from Skellefteå Kraft.