IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen) Programme 2026 for Youth-led start-ups

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Application Deadline:  3 May 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen) Programme. The International Renewable Energy Agency is launching the prestigious IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen) for the fourth year in a row with the support of the government of the UAE and in partnership with Enel Foundation and Social Alpha. Youth-led start-ups, scale-ups, and growth businesses active in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Clean technology now can be supported by IRENA to foster their growth and business acceleration. Join this four-month hybrid acceleration programme to work closely with technical and business experts to consolidate your business model, widen your customer base and enhance your investment readiness.

Accelerator participants will benefit from:

• Access to pitching events and investment matchmaking
• Tailored acceleration programme in renewable energy and climate technology
• Webinars, workshops, and dedicated mentorship by IRENA

Requirements

• Call for applications is open to young entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years old from all over the world.
• At least one founder of the start-up to be below the age of 35.
• By entering the selection process, participants guarantee that the submitted documentation is an original work created solely by the applicants and that it does not infringe on copyrights, trademarks and the rights of privacy, publicity, or intellectual property rights of any person or entity.
• At least two of the start-up founders are committed by 16 hrs each month for attending the accelerator sessions.

Start-up main business line should be in the following categories:

• Renewable Energy technologies (solar, wind, hydropower, green hydrogen, geothermal and bio energy)
• Climate adaption technologies (water, agriculture, livestock, extreme weather events, early warning system)
• Climate Mitigation technologies (transportation, decarbonization, circular economy, energy efficiency, energy transformation and smart grids)

Application Timeline

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator (NewGen) Programme