Winner of the PowerUp! Competition Estonian final is Zubax Robotics!

During the Country Final of the PowerUp! by EIT InnoEnergy Competition, the jury selected the best start-up working on energy and cleantech-related innovations in Estonia Zubax Robotics. Zubax is developing an energy efficient motor control solution for aerospace applications, robotics, and electric vehicles.

Tehnopol Startup Incubator Special Prize was given to SmartVent, whose software based solution makes sure that the climate hardware is working as efficently as it possibly could. Audience Favourite award was given to Pro1-Nano Solutions, whose 99% natural sand based nano-composite removes heavy metal ions and radioactive elements from polluted water.

Pavel Kirienko, the CEO of Zubax Robotics said: “We have never participated in any competitions before, and therefore the victory of PowerUp! Estonian Final is somewhat surprising, but it is very important and useful experience for our team.” Kirienko is grateful that the jury saw potential of their technology, although believes that pitching skills is something, he has to work on before the international finals.

(Photo: product of Zubax Robotics)

The mission of the competition is to find the best solutions that can contribute to innovation in energy and improve the air quality in European cities and increase the cleanliness of the environment. The winning team meets a need that we see in the energy market. Global applicability was one of the most important criteria taken into account by the jury, says Maciej Majchrowicz the head of the Jury. The participants were assessed not only in terms of the professional content of their project but also in the context of business awareness, and the potential of the team and product.

299 start-ups from 24 countries in Central and Eastern Europe participated in the fourth edition of the biggest competition for cleantech start-ups.

On 19^th of June winning team will face the winners of the other country editions of the Competition at the Žofín Palace in Prague, where they will compete for financial prizes (€30,000 EUR for first place) as well as participation in the prestigious Highway® accelerator, which helps transform start-ups at an early development stage into successful businesses and offers an investment up to 150,000 euros.

The Estonian Final jury was composed of Maciej Majchrowicz, Business Development Manager in EIT InnoEnergy; Riivo Anton, the Founder and Partner of United Angels VC, Martin Gorosko, the Head of Startup Incubator at Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol; Heidi Kakko, Partner of BaltCap Growth Fund and Yrjo Ojasaar, the Investment Partner at Change Ventures.

The Estonial Final was preceded by intensive Bootcamps: business model workshop was hosted by Pirko Konsa and pitch training by Mike Bradshaw, both very experienced business mentors. The participants had the opportunity to verify their business models and improve their presentation skills.

During the Country Final, the top 10 Estonian start-ups presented their innovative solutions to the jury.

InnoEnergy’s partner in Estonia is Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol, which shares the goal of supporting the development and sustainability of Estonian innovative companies in the energy sector.  EIT InnoEnergy supports and invests in innovation at every stage of the journey – from classroom to end-customer.

Meet the 10 Estonian finalists HERE.

See photos of the Estonian Final event HERE.

About EIT InnoEnergy:

EIT InnoEnergy is the innovation engine for sustainable energy across Europe. We support and invest in innovation at every stage of the journey – from classroom to end-customer. With our network of partners we build connections across Europe, bringing together inventors and industry, graduates and employers, researchers and entrepreneurs, businesses and markets. InnoEnergy was established in 2010 and is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).