IRENA awards four youth-led startups for clean energy innovations

On October 16, 2026, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) announced the winners of the Rising Stars Youth Award 2026 during the NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator program. This year’s event featured 19 startups, including nine led by women, all working to tackle urgent energy and climate challenges in emerging markets. The winners were recognized for their innovative clean energy solutions, which demonstrate measurable impact and scaling potential. The NewGen program, supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, Enel Foundation, and Social Alpha, aims to empower young innovators in advancing clean energy technologies. This initiative plays a vital role in the global effort to transition to sustainable energy systems.

The four award-winning startups emerged from a competitive selection process, each showcasing unique approaches to enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability. Aunkur AI from Bangladesh and the USA secured first place for its analytics platform that assists small farmers in developing countries. By providing tools for precision agriculture, Aunkur AI has reached over 33,000 farmers, improving crop yields by up to 15% while also reducing CO2 emissions. The company's solution includes solar-powered soil testing and AI-driven decision support, offering access to finance for smallholders.

Joint second place was awarded to Enlog from India and MVUTU (GreenBox™) from the Republic of the Congo. Enlog specializes in energy management systems that optimize electricity consumption, achieving a reduction of 20-25% in energy use without manual intervention. MVUTU’s GreenBox™ provides solar-powered cold-chain solutions to minimize post-harvest food loss. This helps smallholder farmers and food traders enhance food security while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The recognition from IRENA marks a significant milestone for these startups, giving them valuable exposure and resources to scale their solutions.

The NewGen program emphasizes the importance of youth-led initiatives in the clean energy sector, fostering innovation and collaboration to address the pressing challenges of climate change and energy access. As these startups continue to grow, they contribute to the broader goal of achieving sustainable energy for all, highlighting the potential of young entrepreneurs to drive meaningful change within their communities and beyond.