IRENA Launches 4th NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator To Support Young Clean Energy Entrepreneurs Worldwide

URL: https://solarquarter.com/2026/04/10/irena-launches-4th-newgen-renewable-energy-accelerator-to-support-young-clean-energy-entrepreneurs-worldwide/

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has launched the fourth edition of its flagship youth-focused programme, the IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen), designed to support young entrepreneurs and innovators who are working to advance the global renewable energy transition. The initiative aims to nurture early-stage and growth-stage ventures by providing structured capacity building, mentorship, and tailored technical support to help them scale impactful clean energy solutions.

The programme is implemented with the support of the Government of the United Arab Emirates and is delivered in partnership with Social Alpha, a non-profit organisation based in India that supports science- and technology-driven social enterprises, and the Enel Foundation, a global non-profit think tank focused on energy transition and climate action. Both organisations act as knowledge partners, contributing technical expertise, industry insights, and mentorship to help participating start-ups strengthen their business models and improve scalability.

Building on the outcomes of its previous three editions, the fourth edition of NewGen seeks to further expand its impact across emerging and developing markets. In the last cycle, 13 start-ups from across different regions participated in the programme, including six women-led ventures, highlighting the initiative’s emphasis on inclusivity and diversity in clean energy innovation. The 2025 cohort also saw the recognition of three IRENA Rising Stars Award winners whose solutions addressed critical energy and sustainability challenges.

These included battery-swapping networks developed in Bangladesh, solar-powered cooling technologies and edible coating innovations from Uganda aimed at reducing food loss, and artificial intelligence-driven precision farming solutions from Zambia designed to improve agricultural efficiency and climate resilience.

Participants from previous cohorts have highlighted the transformative impact of the programme on their ventures. Stuti Kakkar from Meine Energy, India, described how the accelerator helped refine her organisation’s understanding of renewable energy markets. She noted that access to global founders, expert insights, and market perspectives allowed her team to better identify where their technology could generate the most meaningful impact in supporting the clean energy transition.

Similarly, Oliver Mbuzi from Netagrow, Zambia, one of the previous edition’s top winners, emphasized the value of the programme in strengthening their approach to climate-smart agriculture. He explained that the accelerator helped integrate clean energy and artificial intelligence into their agricultural solutions, while also connecting the venture with global experts and partners. According to him, this support enabled Netagrow to scale solutions that now benefit over 10,000 farmers by promoting energy-efficient and climate-resilient farming systems that contribute both to sustainable agriculture and broader energy transition goals.

The NewGen Accelerator is open to start-ups from around the world working across three main thematic areas: renewable energy technologies, climate adaptation technologies, and climate mitigation technologies. Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years of age. For the 2026 edition, the application window runs from 6 April to 3 May 2026, with selected participants expected to be announced on 18 May 2026.

Over a four-month period, selected participants will undergo a hybrid acceleration programme that combines structured learning and practical engagement. This includes a customised curriculum focused on renewable energy and clean technology, expert-led webinars, interactive workshops, and one-on-one mentorship from IRENA specialists and industry practitioners. Participants will also gain opportunities to engage with investors through pitching sessions and investment matchmaking events, while also competing for recognition through the IRENA Rising Stars Award.

Overall, the initiative reflects the broader mission of the International Renewable Energy Agency to accelerate the global energy transition by empowering young innovators and supporting youth-led solutions that contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy future.

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