Energy in Colombia Inspiring Startups Analysis¶
Inspiring Startups¶
The Colombian energy value chain is witnessing the emergence of innovative startups that are introducing new technologies and business models, inspiring changes across various segments, particularly in the context of the ongoing energy transition. While large established players dominate the traditional infrastructure, these startups are carving out niches and demonstrating potential for disruption and efficiency improvements.
Unergy¶
Unergy is a startup inspiring change in the renewable energy sector by connecting digital investment with clean energy projects, specifically solar minifarms. Their business model allows smaller investors to participate in renewable energy projects through mechanisms like asset tokenization. This approach democratizes investment in renewables and facilitates the financing of distributed generation projects. Unergy emphasizes connecting medium-sized solar plants to local distribution networks, presenting a strategic alternative for local energy generation and consumption that bypasses the need for extensive and often constrained national transmission infrastructure. This model can contribute to energy decentralization and provide energy access to communities near these projects.
Energy Master¶
Energy Master is highlighted as a leader in energy efficiency within Colombia. The company has developed a software platform utilizing business intelligence to manage the consumption of public services, enabling companies to achieve significant savings and improve their environmental sustainability indicators. Their focus on optimizing energy and water use through technology represents a new business model centered on efficiency as a service and data-driven insights for consumption management. Recognized as a top scaleup, Energy Master demonstrates the potential for technological solutions to drive efficiency and sustainability within the demand side of the energy value chain.
MubOn¶
MubOn is a Colombian startup focusing on the burgeoning electric mobility sector. They provide smart EV charging stations integrated with an advanced monitoring platform. This technology aims to enhance management efficiency for EV charging infrastructure, particularly in locations like shopping centers, by allowing administrators to track usage, demand, and user behavior. MubOn's model addresses the critical need for accessible and efficiently managed charging infrastructure, which is essential for the growth of electric mobility and its integration into the energy and transportation value chains.
ALINTI¶
ALINTI, a Peruvian startup recognized in Colombia in 2024, presents an inspiring and potentially disruptive technology for renewable energy generation, particularly for rural and off-grid communities. ALINTI has developed a unique bioelectric cell that generates electricity from plants by leveraging natural processes. This innovative approach offers a novel method for providing renewable energy access to populations with limited or no connection to traditional electricity grids, addressing energy poverty in rural areas. While its large-scale applicability is still developing, the technology itself is a significant inspiration for alternative, decentralized energy generation methods.
Startups within Corporate Acceleration Programs¶
Several large energy players in Colombia, such as Grupo Energía Bogotá (GEB) and ISA, are actively engaging with startups through venture client and acceleration programs. GEB's program, in collaboration with Wayra Hispam, seeks startups in areas like smart grids, emissions reduction, sustainable mobility infrastructure, and distributed energy resources. ISA's INNDIGO program and partnership with Rockstart focus on energy transition, smart grids, distributed energy solutions, storage, and electromobility. Connect Climatech Accelerator also supports climate tech startups, including those in energy transition. Although specific individual startups from these programs are not detailed in the provided text, the existence of these initiatives is inspiring. They represent a growing trend of established energy companies actively seeking external innovation, providing startups with opportunities to develop and scale their technologies and business models within the existing value chain infrastructure, thereby accelerating the adoption of new solutions for energy transition, efficiency, and digitalization.
Table of Potential Impact of the Startups¶
| Inspiring Startup / Initiative | Value Chain Segment(s) Primarily Impacted | Potential Impact on Value Chain Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Unergy | Electricity Generation, Electricity Distribution, Commercialization | Introduces new financing models (digital investment, tokenization) for renewables, facilitates distributed generation connected to local grids, potentially reducing reliance on central transmission and improving local energy access. |
| Energy Master | Cross-cutting (primarily Commercialization/End-use) | Drives efficiency improvements in energy consumption through software and data analytics, creating new business models focused on energy management and cost reduction for businesses. |
| MubOn | Downstream (E-mobility Infrastructure), Electricity Distribution | Supports the growth of electric mobility by providing and managing charging infrastructure, impacting electricity demand patterns and requiring potential distribution network upgrades to support charging loads. |
| ALINTI | Electricity Generation (Off-grid), Distribution (Decentralized) | Offers a novel, decentralized method for renewable energy generation, potentially addressing energy access issues in rural and remote areas without relying on existing transmission or distribution networks. |
| Startups within Corporate Acceleration Programs (GEB, ISA, etc.) | Cross-cutting (Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Commercialization, New Energy Vectors) | Facilitates the integration of innovative technologies and business models across the value chain by connecting startups with established players, accelerating energy transition, digitalization, and efficiency efforts. |
References¶
- Grupo Energía Bogotá. Grupo Energía Bogotá y Wayra Hispam (Telefónica Movistar) buscan las startups que revolucionarán el sector energético en Latam. (2024-01-22).
- Bio-emprender. Energía sostenible en Colombia: ¿qué se ha logrado en 2024 y qué proyecciones se tienen para el próximo año?. (2024-12-02).
- Grupo Energía Bogotá. Grupo Dunas del Grupo Energía Bogotá impulsará startups líderes en soluciones para la transición energética a través de fondo de inversión europeo. (2024-09-05).
- Revista C-Level. 2025: un año de expectativas para el sector energético. (2025-01-02).
- StartUs Insights. 10 Top EV Battery Companies and Startups to Watch in 2025. (2025-03-06).
- Innpulsa. I N F O R M E DeepTech Colombia 2024.
- AHK KOLUMBIEN. Start Up Challenge Colombia 2024. (2024-08-08).
- Energy Master. Energy Master: Liderazgo y transformación en la eficiencia energética de Colombia. (2025-01-24).
- Think Big Empresas. Startups del sector energético que brillarán en el 2025. (2024-09-16).
- El Ecosistema Startup. Moeve Light Up: Convocatoria para Startups en Energía. (2025-04-21).
- Latam Mobility. ¿Será 2025 el año de las energías verdes para Latam? Los 5 desafíos que hay que superar. (2024-12-25).
- NTT DATA. La Fundación NTT DATA otorga el premio Global eAwards 2024 a ALINTI, la startup peruana que transforma plantas en energía para comunidades rurales. (2024-11-08).
- BASE. Driving Electric Mobility With the First Battery-Swapping System For Motorcycles In Colombia. (2024-07-23).
- ISA. Diez startups contribuirán a la transición energética con el impulso de ISA y Rockstart.
- Startups Latam. Bluetek Global se expande a Colombia para impulsar la eficiencia energética. (2024-08-20).
- ACR Latinoamérica. Colombia tiene la primera aceleradora de startups de climatech de Latinoamérica. (05 Noviembre 2024).