The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched the fourth version of the IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen), aimed toward supporting younger entrepreneurs and innovators in driving the renewable vitality transition. NewGen gives capability constructing, mentorship, and tailor-made help to youth-led start-ups and development companies that develop progressive options to advance renewables deployment.
The initiative is delivered with the help of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, in partnership with Social Alpha (a non-profit organisation primarily based in India that helps social start-ups) and Enel Foundation (a world non-profit think-tank centered on vitality transition and local weather change). Both companions function information companions, contributing technical experience and mentorship to assist individuals flip their concepts into scalable options.
Building on the success of three editions, the 4th NewGen goals to proceed its affect. Last year noticed 13 startups from rising markets–including six women-led ventures–take half within the programme. The 2025 edition produced three IRENA Rising Stars Award winners whose options included battery-swapping networks (Bangladesh), solar-powered cooling expertise and edible coatings (Uganda), and synthetic intelligence (AI)-driven precision farming (Zambia).
Reflecting on her expertise, final yr’s participant Stuti Kakkar from Meine Electric (India) mentioned, “The IRENA NewGen Accelerator helped us sharpen our understanding of renewable energy markets by giving us access to global founders, expert insights, and market perspectives that clarified where our technology can create the greatest impact in enabling the clean energy transition.”
Oliver Mbuzi from Netagrow (Zambia)–last yr’s third-place winner–added, “The IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator has been a transformative journey for Netagrow, strengthening our clean-energy and AI-driven approach to climate-smart agriculture by connecting us with global renewable energy experts, mentors, and partners. The programme enabled us to scale solutions that empower over 10,000 farmers with energy-efficient, climate-resilient farming systems that contribute to the global energy transition and sustainable food production.”
Open to start-ups from world wide, NewGen seeks progressive options throughout three key areas: renewable vitality applied sciences, local weather adaptation applied sciences, and local weather mitigation applied sciences. Applicants have to be between 18 and 35 years outdated, with the decision for functions operating from 6 April to 3 May 2026. Selected individuals can be introduced on 18 May 2026.
In a interval of 4 months, individuals will participate in a hybrid acceleration programme that includes a tailor-made curriculum in renewable vitality and clear expertise, expert-led webinars and workshops, and devoted mentorship from IRENA specialists. They may even achieve entry to pitching occasions, funding matchmaking, and the prospect to be recognised via the IRENA Rising Stars Award.
The Accelerator displays IRENA’s broader dedication to accelerating a world vitality transition via renewables, led by youth. For extra info and to apply, please go to NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator. Applications shut on 3 May 2026.
