On Wednesday, 1 October 2025, the kick-off event marked the start of the Energy & Environment Accelerator 2025/26. Over the next six months, eight promising start-ups from Switzerland will receive support to further develop their ideas for a more sustainable energy future. Together with strong partners, Technopark Winterthur will accompany the ZHAW and the start-up teams on their path to growth, networking and impact.
The Energy & Environment Accelerator 2025/26 has started. It’s a programme organised by RUNWAY Startup Incubator, Startup Campus and ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. Over the next few months, eight Swiss startups will get help to refine their ideas, find the right talent, meet important partners and connect with investors. The focus is on innovation and sustainability – two factors that are of central importance for the energy transition in Switzerland and beyond.
An overview of the eight start-ups
AMP IT develops simple, effective charging solutions for electric vehicles that are tailored to individual needs – uncomplicated, reliable and suitable for everyday use.
Windworks focuses on intelligent small wind turbines that produce clean and cost-effective energy directly on site. With a smart control system for rotor blades, the start-up makes the enormous potential of wind energy practically usable.
Zählerfreunde GmbH creates transparency in electricity consumption. With digital tools, the start-up offers real-time insights to better understand and optimise one’s own energy consumption.
SensorX Solutions is dedicated to the challenges of gas detection, relying on state-of-the-art technologies such as TDLAS, NDIR and optical gas imaging. This ensures precision and safety in a sensitive area.
Yuon Control AG enables heating network operators to reduce costs by over 20 per cent. Intelligent, predictive control software continuously optimises load management and operations management – fully automatically and transparently.
BCHAR brings decarbonisation to agricultural supply chains. With turnkey biochar production systems, the start-up efficiently converts biomass into biochar while creating transparency for the generation of CO₂ certificates.
Hivoduct offers innovative compressed air cables for sustainable and safe power transmission. The technology combines efficiency, environmental friendliness and reliability – making the energy infrastructure fit for the future.
MOOST is developing a software platform that brings energy solution providers closer to their customers. Through personalised interactions and data-based analyses, an app becomes more than just a dashboard: it becomes a companion that builds trust.
Collaboration as the key
The accelerator is made possible thanks to close cooperation between numerous partners. The main partner is the Bloom Foundation with Ines Najorka and Marc Tesch. On the corporate side, BKW AG, Electrosuisse and Technopark Winterthur are involved. Public support comes from the city of Winterthur, the Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air (AWEL) of the Canton of Zurich and ZHAW Sustainable. Other partners such as Energy Startup Day, Innovation Monitor, Crosstown H2R, Start Up Energy Transition, the Energy Future Switzerland Association and Swisspower round off the network.
For us at Technopark Winterthur, this collaboration is a clear commitment: start-ups in the energy and environmental sectors play a crucial role in helping us overcome the challenges of the energy transition. The accelerator provides a platform where bold ideas can be turned into viable solutions.
We look forward to witnessing the development of these eight teams in the coming months – and to working with them to promote innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship in Switzerland.
