Local sustainable energy innovators have been handed the chance to secure up to €150,000 in start-up funding, with a Europe-wide competition opening its doors to Maltese companies.

The call for proposals is the third edition of PowerUp!, Europe's largest competition for sustainable energy start-ups in 23 European countries. 

Among last year's winners was a project to reduce heating costs through solar energy and heat pumps and another to reduce energy consumption by cooling devices. 

Organised by InnoEnergy, the competition sees innovators in central and eastern Europe, the Balkans and Mediterranean compete for seed funding as well as a spot on InnoEnergy's Highway accelerator programme. 

The programme helps young entrepreneurs learn about developing and protecting a product, introducing it to the market and accessing seed funding. It also enables permanent access to the 150 biggest partners operating in the power industry. 

“Our primary aim is to support innovation in the energy sector. We provide support at each level of development – starting with the idea, and progressing to the delivery of the final product to the recipients," said InnoEnergy Poland Plus CEO Jakub Miler. 

Fifteen regional finals will follow intense workshops, with a grand finale scheduled to take place in Budapest. 

Applications are open until September 11. To apply, visit http://www.powerup.innoenergy.com.