Repsol Foundation 12th Call for Entrepreneurs Fund
Deadline: 10 March 2023

At the Repsol Foundation, we have been supporting entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs for more than 10 years through Fondo de Emprendedores, our accelerator for start-ups that provide technological solutions to meet the challenges of the Energy Transition.

This is a perfect program for start-ups in the testing phase with real customers, or that will reach this phase in 1–2 years.

What do we offer
– Non-repayable grants Between 60,000 and 100,000 euros non-refundable for one year.
– We do not ask for a share of the start-up’s equity or intellectual property

The Repsol Foundation’s 12th Call for Entrepreneurs Fund is looking for technology startups working on innovative solutions for the energy transition related to:

  • Nature-based climate solutions for carbon footprint reduction
  • Low CO₂ emissions
  • Circular economy
  • Digitalisation for the energy industry
Objectives
  • At the Repsol Foundation, they have been supporting entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs for more than 10 years through Fondo de Emprendedores, their accelerator for start-ups that provide technological solutions to meet the challenges of the Energy Transition.
  • This is a perfect program for start-ups in the testing phase with real customers, or that will reach this phase in 1–2 years.
  • If your start-up has passed the pre-commercial phase and already has recurring customers then connect with Repsol Deep Tech.
Areas they Support
  • Their program supports industrial technology solutions in the following areas:
    • Low carbon energy technologies and the circular economy.
    • Biotechnology and Nanotechnology for sustainable solutions.
    • Products and services based on the management of energy and renewable energies.
    • Digital technologies for the energy industry.
    • Natural solutions for reducing the carbon footprint.
  • This programme is aligned with the commitment of Repsol and its Foundation to sustainable energy transition.
Technology Scopes

This program aims to accelerate startups working in any of the following:

  • Scope 1: low-carbon energy technologies and circular economy
    • Recycling and treatment technologies: conversion of biomass, new processes for converting waste into chemical products
    • Biogas production, upgrading, transport and end use technologies
    • Low environmental impact H2 renewable solutions for production, blending, transport and storage
    • Advanced biofuel production and conversion technologies (liquefaction or de novo, gasification) and synthetic fuels for road, maritime and aviation transport
    • Processing of chemicals and other organic materials for circular economy
    • Low-carbon lubricants for industrial and automotive applications
    • CO2 Capture, Use and/or Storage Technologies. CO2 Direct Air Capture: new absorbent materials and efficient process design
    • COX, H2 conversion processes to Hydrocarbons
    • Low carbon technologies for Oil & Gas operations, including energy efficiency, GHG direct emissions, Methane emissions, CCS or Geothermal.
    • Other technologies related to this scope’s heading
  • Scope 2: biotechnology and nanotechnology for sustainable solutions
    • Bio conversion of organic material to chemicals. Biorefinery, biofactory
    • Protein engineering, development of biocatalysts and enzymes
    • Gene editing technologies and applications in energy and materials
    • Plastic biodegradation technologies
    • Biosensors design, production and end use.
    • Anti-corrosive, anti-bacterial, thermal nanocoating for pipelines and infrastructures
    • Organic and inorganic membrane technologies, including new materials
    • Improvement of the properties of fuels, lubricants and chemicals
    • Other technologies related to this scope’s heading
  • Scope 3: products and services based on energy management and renewables
    • Intelligent energy management systems
    • New batteries and fuel cells technologies
    • Distributed energy solutions
    • Energy conversion and storage systems
    • Advanced mobility solutions
    • Renewable energy generation, maintenance and control and commercialization.
    • Other technologies related to this scope’s heading
  • Scope 4: digital technologies for the energy sector
    • Artificial intelligence applied to process optimization and energy efficiency.
    • Digital twins and intelligent interfaces for process control
    • Digital technologies for predictive and prescriptive maintenance
    • Smart trading for the energy marketplace
    • Computational chemistry tools for energy applications
    • Remote sensing, IoT and robotic solutions for industrial assets and environment
    • Quantum computing applications in energy sector
    • Other technologies related to this scope’s heading
  • Scope 5: natural solutions for carbon footprint reduction
    • Reforestation and afforestation technologies for resilient CO2 absorption sinks
    • Advanced monitoring, reporting and verification technologies in CO2 absorption
    • Digital technologies applied to carbon markets value chain
    • Technologies for ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) project certification
    • Other technologies related to this scope’s heading
Benefits
  • Non-repayable grants
    • Between 60,000 and 100,000 euros non-refundable for one year.
      • Startups admitted to the Program will receive during the acceleration period a contribution of Five Thousand Euros (€ 5,000) per month as ordinary funds.
      • Additionally, admitted Startups may request up to a maximum of Forty Thousand Euros (€ 40,000) per year as extraordinary funds for strategic expenses.
    • They do not ask for a share of the start-up’s equity or intellectual property.
  • Multidisciplinary mentoring team
    • Two senior mentors, former Repsol employees who collaborate on a voluntary basis. Professionals with a high level of knowledge in business management.
    • Two mentors who provide technological support and their knowledge of the market as active Repsol professionals.
  • Possibility of pilot trials with Repsol
    • They try to facilitate the relevant pilot testing at Repsol facilities, but please note that this is not always possible.
    • Start-ups admitted to their program are not restricted from piloting at the facilities of any other company or third party.
  • Without having to go anywhere
    • It is an international programme where start-ups from all over the world participate without having to leave their premises.

Duration: The acceleration program will run from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024. Fundación Repsol reserves the right to modify these dates according to the needs of the Program.

Eligibility Criteria
  • This Call is addressed to Startups in pre-commercial or very early commercial stage with founders maintaining control of the company, that is, the majority of the share capital and voting rights, and therefore leading the startup’s financial and business decisions.
  • Startups can have their registered office in any country, with the exception of tax havens or non-cooperative tax jurisdictions in accordance with applicable tax regulations and the OCDE/EU criteria. It is not necessary to move to any specific country.
  • Repsol Group and Fundación Repsol employees may participate in this Call provided that the Startups they promote are not directly related to the responsibilities of their current or previous positions at the Company.
  • Women-led startups, or companies with at least one woman in the team are encouraged to apply.
  • Applications may be submitted in English or Spanish.

For more information, visit Repsol Foundation.

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