Call4Innovation
Call4Innovation "Boosting the Energy Transition" - Submission deadline extended to January 23rd
This extension ensures broader participation and supports the development of high-quality proposals.
Where innovation takes shape to accelerate the energy transition.
Applications open from 12 December 2025 to 20 January 2026
The NEST Foundation – Network for Energy Sustainable Transition launches its first Call4Innovation, a programme dedicated to innovative startups and SMEs developing advanced technologies and solutions for a Sustainable Energy Transition.
The goal: activating industrial Proofs of Concept (PoCs) with the Foundation’s corporate partners and supporting real-world validation of the most promising solutions.
Why join the NEST Call4Innovation*
The Call is designed to identify high-potential technologies capable of contributing to the development of NEST’s 9 thematic Spokes, accelerating the connection between research, industry, and applied innovation.
Selected teams will gain access to:
Technological alignment sessions with corporate partners
Direct assessment of use cases and industrial contexts
Potential implementation of a Proof of Concept (PoC)
Financial support of up to €50.000 for the pilot project
Technological alignment sessions with corporate partners
Direct assessment of use cases and industrial contexts
Potential implementation of a Proof of Concept (PoC)
Financial support of up to €50.000 for the pilot project
*Participation is free of charge.
Who can apply
The Call is open to innovative Startups and SMEs, Italian or international, formally established and with a technology maturity level of TRL ≥ 5.
Eligible proposals include technological, digital, and product-based solutions related to the energy transition, with particular focus on the areas covered by NEST’s 9 Spokes.
Technological areas of interest
The Call welcomes projects falling within one or more of the following strategic verticals:
Technologies for renewable energy generation.
Examples: advanced solar, offshore, bioenergy, clean hydrogen.
Innovative conversion and storage systems. Examples: batteries, advanced materials, high-efficiency systems.
Digital twins, IoT, AI for smart grids and energy infrastructures. Examples: monitoring platforms, cybersecurity, multisector integration.
Technologies for emissions reduction and industrial circularity. Examples: CO₂ capture & valorization, circular processes, waste-to-value.
Solutions for Energy Communities and distributed energy models. Examples: digital platforms, local management tools, shared models.
Full technical details are available in the complete Regulation.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online platform.
The form is structured into 4 sections:
• Acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
• Registry (company data, pitch deck, logo)
• Team (skills and contacts)
• Business & Technology
• Market & Competition
• Call opening: 12 December 2025 – 10:00 CET
• Call closing: 20 January 2026 – 23:59 CET
• Screening: 12/12/2025 – 20/01/2026
• Selection with corporate partners: 21/01/2026 – 18/02/2026
An email confirmation will be sent immediately after submission.
All participants must accept the Call4Innovation Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Assessment framework
The selection process is overseen by the NEST Innovation Board, composed of the Foundation’s entities and corporate partners.
Each project will be assessed based on six criteria:
1.
TRL – Technology Readiness Level
2.
Scalability &
Flexibility
3.
Innovation
Potential
4.
Fit with NEST
partners
5.
Team Execution.
Capability
6.
PoC.
Readiness
Projects with the highest scores will advance to the final stage and may be selected for PoC development.
Up to €50.000 to build your PoC
Winning projects will receive up to €50.000 to support industrial experimentation of their solution in collaboration with the Foundation’s partners.
The contribution:
• may be disbursed in tranches
• is linked to project progress
• is governed by an operational agreement between NEST and the beneficiary
Intellectual property protection
All intellectual property remains fully with the participants.
NEST and its corporate partners commit to maintaining complete confidentiality of all received information.
Full Regulation and Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Support and information
“Let’s build the future of energy together.”
