The first start-ups from ESADE's business incubator are recognised in global competitions

Companies based at ESADECREAPOLIS's KIC InnoEnergy incubator that specialise in renewable energy, efficiency and sustainability have been receiving awards around the world. Northstar Telemetrics, ParkGreen, Noem, WorldCoo, Enerbyte and OpenDomo have won international awards such as the Start-up Business Award and the EIT Entrepreneurship Award in the category of sustainable energy. These specialised projects have also been recognised by associations, such as the European Trade Association for Business Angels (EBAN); at events, such as the Smart City Expo; and at competitions, such as the one organised by InnoCentive, a US-based organisation dedicated to finding innovative solutions to social problems.

These projects were launched by the first companies to be created with the support of ESADECREAPOLIS's KIC InnoEnergy incubator. The Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), is one of Europe's most important energy and sustainability projects. Since its creation in 2010 with the active participation of ESADE and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), the incubator has worked to foster innovation and have an economic and social impact in the fields of energy and sustainability. All of the supported initiatives have drawn on the expertise of KIC InnoEnergy's local partners, including CIEMAT, EDP, ESADE, Gas Natural Fenosa, Iberdrola, IREC, IST, Tecnalia and the UPC.

Over the past year, a total of 32 entrepreneurs and researchers have asked to participate in this European project. Only the eight most promising candidates were chosen to join the Cleantech incubator. This year, we expect to have a total of 40 candidates (a 25% increase), from which between 8 and 10 will be selected. We also expect that four of the entrepreneurial initiatives selected in 2011 will hit the market this year.

European leaders in sustainability

Northstar Telemetrics

This company has created an inexpensive optical automatic meter reading (OAMR) system that allows utility consumption to be recorded automatically. The OAMR system has allowed utility companies to automatically access their customers' meters telemetrically, without having to make any modifications or replace existing meters.

ParkGreen

Winner of the Start-up Business Award and the ECOLINC+ Renewable Energy Award, ParkGreen has designed solar-power-generating car parks that incorporate equipment for managing and recharging electric vehicles. The project aims to link renewable energy generation with the new concept of sustainable mobility – the generation of electrical energy from renewable sources.

Noem

This company has been commissioned to design "the perfect house for the 21st century". Using a construction system based on natural materials (wood, wool, linoleum, and non-emissive paints and varnishes) and advanced technology, Noem creates "passive houses" that reduce energy consumption by 80–90%.

WorldCoo

This company is a digital platform that allows individuals, companies and organisations interested in social commitment to pitch engineering and international-cooperation projects, particularly in the field of renewable energy, that are in need of funding.

Enerbyte

This online platform, selected for the EcoEmprendedor XXI programme, has developed a system for managing information flows between the various stakeholders in the energy market, including the users, the retailers, the distributors, the suppliers of products and services, and the energy service companies.

OpenDomo

This start-up researches, manufactures and sells smart control products. It is working to create an artificial-intelligence network that learns from user behaviour and from technology in order to provide energy savings, comfort and safety.