Leapsprong Amsterdam has unveiled its inaugural cohort of eight innovative startups chosen from a competitive pool of 58 applicants. These startups are set to advance groundbreaking solutions to foster a circular and sustainable energy system in the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam (MRA).
What is the Leapsprong Amsterdam programme?
Leapsprong Amsterdam is an innovation programme aimed at turning big ideas into reality and tackling challenges with new opportunities.
Organised by the City of Amsterdam, the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA), and Rockstart, this programme focuses on speeding up the development of innovative solutions for a sustainable energy transition in the Amsterdam region.
The programme supports promising innovations by helping them reach the market and aims to contribute positively to Amsterdam’s goal of becoming a climate-neutral and circular city.
The ETCA, founded by Shell, is a hub where startups, established businesses, and research institutes work together in a sustainable building with special research facilities. Rockstart, an early-stage accelerator and VC firm, supports startups with a purpose-driven approach.
The selected 8!
Skytree: The Dutch startup uses a proprietary direct air capture (DAC) technology to harvest CO2 from the surrounding air, facilitating the shift away from industrial processes reliant on fossil fuels.
Spark e-Fuels: Spark e-Fuels is a Germany-based climate tech startup addressing the environmental impact of aviation by developing integrated systems for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Its tech connects to low-cost renewable electricity and uses proprietary processes to produce e-fuels efficiently and at scale.
CarbonOrO: This Dutch cleantech company aims to tackle climate change by offering a cost-effective solution for capturing CO2 from flue gases. It has developed an amine solvent that enables CO2 to be released at a lower temperature compared to traditional solvents. This allows for immediate CO2 removal and reduces energy consumption in the process.
UP Catalyst: The Estonia-based startup converts CO2 emissions into carbon nanomaterials and graphite, which can be used in various applications, including electric car batteries, concrete, and biomedicine.
ParaStruct: Austria-based ParaStruct is advancing the construction industry’s circularity and decarbonisation through recycling technology. Its solution allows customers to utilise various waste streams, including demolition, concrete, wood, industrial residuals, and other biogenic and mineral wastes.
Circular Industries: The Dutch startup focuses on maximising the recovery of Critical Raw Materials from discarded printed circuit boards to promote sustainability and secure future resources. This initiative also reduces the EU’s reliance on external suppliers, enhancing geopolitical independence and strengthening supply chains.
Accu’t: This Dutch startup offers second-life energy storage systems. These systems help manage renewable energy and address grid capacity issues while promoting a circular approach to reduce environmental impacts from battery production and recycling.
B4Plastics: Belgium-based B4Plastics is a Biopolymer Architecture company that develops and scales novel biomaterials to prevent microplastics and reduce reliance on fossil raw materials.
What can the startups expect from the programme?
Startups joining the Leapsprong Amsterdam programme will receive several benefits. They will have the chance to connect with local partners to explore collaborations and grow their solutions in the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam.
They can also use facilities at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam to test their ideas and work with other startups and research groups.
The programme provides access to important data to help startups make decisions and improve their operations. It also offers support with fundraising and introduces startups to a network of investors.
Participants will receive guidance from industry experts and become part of a community where they can connect with other startups and partners. The programme includes training sessions and workshops on topics like building corporate relationships, team development, sales, and fundraising.
Each startup will get one-on-one mentorship focused on their specific needs. Throughout the programme, startups will meet key people from partner networks, including experts, investors, and corporate partners.
The programme ends with a final event where startups can gain media attention and pitch their ideas to the Municipality of Amsterdam, the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam, and other important partners.
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