After Maltese company FLASC – Integrating Offshore Energy Storage made it to the regional final of the PowerUp! by InnoEnergy Competition in 2017, this year’s winners have now been announced as Zubax Robotix from Estonia.

The team presented their project, which provides 10 per cent more energy-efficient electric motor controllers for aerospace applications. Their technology allows electric vehicles (especially aircraft) to travel further using less energy from the battery, thus alleviating one of the most significant obstacles in the way of total electrification of all kinds of transport. Zubax was awarded €30,000 and a chance to be invited to the prestigious InnoEnergy Highway accelerator.

“In the seven years since its launch, InnoEnergy has invested in innovative projects with a total value of €2 billion. Thanks to our support, 80 products have so far been brought to market. Now Zubax has this amazing opportunity,” said Christo Balinow, business development director of InnoEnergy Central Europe, the chairman of the jury.”

Last year, Maltese start-up FLASC – Integrating Offshore Energy Storage made it past this stage in the competition, with their integrated energy storage system that allows offshore renewables to better meet their energy demands.

The title of runner-up and a €10,000 prize was awarded to WellParko from Lithuania. Third place and €5,000 went to the team Neuron Soundware from Czech Republic.

During the grand final in Prague, 15 start-ups presented their solutions before the jury, investors and media representatives. These were the winners of the Country Finals which took place in Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece. The finalists were selected from 299 teams from the 24 central European countries who applied to the competition. The stakes were high as the Highway accelerator is one of the best programmes in the cleantech sector in Europe.