The Event
Zpryme’s Start@ETS is a pitch competition where innovative technologies are proposed to key decision makers and experts in the fields of energy, smart cities, transportation, mobility, electric vehicles, and/or energy storage solutions in order to create touchpoints for the partnerships that will define the modern grid.
Start@ETS 2026: From Pitch, to Pilot, to Purchase Order
Utilities don’t buy from strangers — they buy from startups they’ve already met. Start@ETS puts you in the room: decision-makers from utilities, co-ops, and the wider energy ecosystem, backed by the full reach of the Zpryme, InnovationForce, and annual Energy Thought Summit networks. If you’re building solutions in grid resiliency, decarbonization, storage and batteries, or customer experience, Start@ETS shortens the path from pilot to purchase order.
Timeline
June 22 – Applications Open
July 17 – Applications Close
July 31 – Short List Round 1
August 21 – Short List Round 2
September 4 – Finalists Announced!
October 8 – Pitch Day & Winners Announced
Why should I apply for Start@ETS?
There is no application fee and every startup that applies will receive thoughtful, actionable feedback from our evaluators.
Applicants will also have opportunities to connect with other startups and mentors in our invite-only LinkedIn community. Finalists will also meet the esteemed panel of judges at the Final Pitch Day in October and will have access to unique speaking and networking opportunities at Energy Thought Summit 2027.
The winning pitch will be featured across Zpryme’s social media, promoted via press release, and will have the opportunity to schedule private meetings with the judges.
1st Place – ETS27 Talk and Booth Space at ETS26
2nd & 3rd Place – Booth space at ETS27 or Post Event Podcast
Start Highlights
2025 Start Judges
Evan O’Mahoney
CIO
CPS Energy
Kim Getgen
CEO and Founder,
Innovation Force
Vanessa Edmonds
CEO & Founder,
Utility 2030 Collaborative
Josh Gould
Director, Advanced Grid Solutions and Strategic Planning,
Duquesne Light Company
Jeremy Adelman
Manager, Emerging Technology and Innovation,
Tucson Electric Power
Joyce Deuley
Strategic Project & Communications Specialist,
Team b. Strategy
Hammad Chaudhry
Director, Customer Energy Solutions,
Austin Energy
Alysse Swientek
Civic Partnership Manager,
CPS Energy
Jim Ingraham
VP, Strategic Research
EPB
Cengizhan Yenerim
Head of Risk & Strategy
ENGIE Global Energy Management & Sales
Richard Amato
Executive Director, Austin Technology Incubator
The University of Texas at Austin
Cameron Freburg
Emerging Technologies and EV Manager
Austin Energy
Partners
