Innovate. Collaborate.
Accelerate.
Scale your flexible energy solution for a sustainable industry with our programme.
Applications close on 25 January 2027
About the programme
The switch to cleaner energy requires remarkable collaborations. Neither businesses, governments nor startups can accelerate the future energy system by themselves.
LeapSprong Amsterdam is an open innovation programme with a mission to turn ambitions into action and challenges into opportunities. Jointly organized by the Municipality of Amsterdam, the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA) and Rockstart, LeapSprong aims to help promising innovations make it to market. We are committed to making a positive impact on the wider Amsterdam region’s journey to become a climate-neutral and circular region.
The challenge
The Municipality of Amsterdam and the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam are looking for Europe-based start-ups and scale-ups (TRL > 4) with flexible energy solutions for a sustainable industry in a world with increasing sources of intermittent renewable energy. We are interested in solutions that can be applied in the Port of Amsterdam or the wider Metropolitan Region Amsterdam (MRA). We specifically look for start-ups and scale-ups that focus on one or more of the following themes:
Challenge 1
Enabling Industrial Electrification
Storage, flexibility and off-grid generation that keep industry running independently of a congested grid
Explore technologies
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Energy Storage & Thermal Systems
- Long-duration battery storage
- High-temperature industrial heat storage
Hardware-Enabled Flexibility & Asset Management
- Smart industrial IoT sensors and hardware control layers
- Demand-side flexibility (DERMS, load flexibility platform)
- Asset lifetime extension
Off-Grid Generation and Grid Resilience
- De-centralised power units utilizing regional waste streams
- Localized off-grid power generation and microgrid balancing
And more
Challenge 2
Revalorise Waste Streams
Technologies that turn existing waste streams into valuable materials and energy sources
Explore technologies
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Waste-to-Energy
- Production of biofuels and SAF from food waste and biomass
- Applications with biogas and/or bio-methanol
Waste-to-Value
- CRM recovery & e-waste (magnets and metals)
- Complex composites (decommissioned wind blades)
- Organic sidestream recovery (wood, biomass, food composites)
And more
Challenge 3
Sustainable Industrial Chemistry
Decarbonizing heavy industry by transforming captured CO2, green hydrogen, and bio-feedstocks into low-carbon fuels and materials
Explore technologies
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU)
- CO2 mineralization into materials for built environment
- Industrial air clean-up (NOx & VOCs)
- Industrial CO2 capture & DAC
Power-to-Molecule
- Green hydrogen & electrolyser scaling
- Chemical process electrification
- Direct H2 industrial feedstock use
And more
Applications are open
Could your startup be next?
Every year, a small group of startups and scaleups gets the chance to pilot their solution with industry partners in the Port of Amsterdam and the wider region. Free of charge, with mentors, workshops and a stage on Demo Day. The 2026-2027 edition is now open for applications.
Applications close on 25 January 2027
Previous participants
Every edition, a new group of startups and scaleups pilots their solution with industry in the Amsterdam region. Meet the teams that went before you.
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An interactive look back: scroll sideways through the programme, the results and the highlights of the last cohort.
Support pillars
Access to marketMeet with the region’s ecosystem partners to validate potential collaborations and scale your solution in the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam.
Access to FacilitiesExplore testing and membership opportunities at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam, where a mix of over 30 start-ups, established businesses and research institutes collaborate to accelerate the energy transition.
Access to DataRelevant data drives decision making, optimizes operations and fuels growth strategies.
Access to ExpertiseGain access to a network of industry and strategic experts, tailor-made to your needs that will support you throughout the programme and beyond.
Access to FundingSupport with fundraising and explore opportunities with LeapSprong’s combined networks of investors.
Access to NetworkBecome part of an innovative ecosystem to acquire connections with LeapSprong’s partners and share knowledge and network with fellow start-ups.
Key dates
Key dates
Stories & updates
Stories & updates
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About the partners
LeapSprong Amsterdam is a collaboration between the Municipality of Amsterdam, the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA) and Rockstart. The Municipality of Amsterdam is on a journey to become a climate-neutral and circular city and is looking to accelerate the transition to a cleaner economy.
The ETCA is an innovative ecosystem, founded and facilitated by Shell, with a mix of over 30 start-ups, established businesses and research institutes, housed in a sustainable building with unique research facilities. Rockstart is a leading early-stage accelerator-VC paving the way for purpose-driven founders.
In addition to the three core partners, LeapSprong Amsterdam can tap into an extensive network through the programme's ecosystem partners and the ETCA member network. Included in this ecosystem are partners such as TNO, the NoordZeeKanaalGebied (NZKG) and the Port of Amsterdam (PoA).
We took the jump,
will you?
Before you apply
we highly recommend reading our FAQs
These FAQs clarify a lot about eligibility, the selection process and what the programme asks of you. Please go through them before you apply.
The Municipality of Amsterdam and the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam are looking for Europe-based startups and scaleups (TRL > 4) with innovative, scalable and flexible solutions for a sustainable industry. The programme is on a non-confidential basis and participants should be available to apply their solution in the Port of Amsterdam and the wider Metropolitan Region Amsterdam (MRA).
- TRL 4-9
- Based in the EU
- Preferably at least 2 founders
- Preference for B2B and B2B2C
- Preference for hardware and hardware-enabled software
Please note that these criteria serve as general guidelines rather than strict requirements. If your solution does not meet every criterion, we still encourage you to apply, as we are always seeking promising and impactful innovations.
Yes. LeapSprong is open to start-ups and scale-ups across Europe, and being based elsewhere has never been a barrier to taking part, or to finding a pilot here.
What matters is that your solution fits the needs of industry in the Amsterdam region, and that you’re willing to spend time here during the programme: the Kick-off Days in April and the Finals in November are both two-day, in-person events, and most collaborations need you on site at some point. We’ll help you navigate the region, make the introductions and find the right counterparts, wherever your team sits day to day.
What happens after I get selected? The programme will support up to 8 startups. During the support programme, which is on a non-confidential basis, all startups and scaleups will work on a collaboration proposal for projects they have identified in the region. Collaboration proposals can gear towards a pilot project in the region, the use of experimental facilitties, guidance towards funding opportunities, and other long-term engagements with both core partners or one of the eco-system partners. The most concrete and promising proposals will be awarded a follow-up program to support taking the first steps in implementing their project.
Once applications are closed, Rockstart, the Municipality of Amsterdam and the ETCA will evaluate and select the top 10-15 candidates. These startups and scaleups will then be invited to a 45-minute online interview in February 2027. After the interviews, the partners will choose the final 6 to 8 start-ups to participate in the programme. The final selection will be announced in the first weeks of March 2027.
The programme has a hybrid format, meaning it will be held both online and in person, and the in-person events will take place in Amsterdam. Please note that:
- There will be an in-person kick-off event of two days on 14 and 15 April 2027.
- There will be an in-person finals event of two days in Amsterdam on 17 and 18 November 2027. All participants will have the chance to pitch in front of investors and industry experts during the demo-day on 18 November 2027.
- There will be an online support phase, consisting of online workshops, online training sessions, plenary sessions and more.
Through the LeapSprong programme, participants will receive support through three elements:
- Mentorship: Each startup will receive mentor support. Typically, mentors will focus on business development or industry expertise.
- Trainings and workshops: The workshops will be plenary sessions, followed by 1 on 1 sessions with the trainer. The workshops can cover topics such as Corporate Relationships, Team Development, Sales, and Fundraising.
- Ecosystem/Network support: Throughout the programme, the participating startups and scaleups will be connected with relevant people within the partner networks, including (technical) experts, investors, or corporate partners.
An inspiring demo-day will mark the end of the support programme. The startups will receive (social) media attention as well as the chance to pitch to a large network of industry experts, potential launching customers and investors. For the awarded startups this day will mark the beginning of further implementing their collaboration proposal.
Participation in the programme is completely free. We just ask for your time, dedication, and passion during the programme, and your physical attendance during the in-person events on 14 and 15 April 2027 (Kick-off) and 17 and 18 November 2027 (Finals Week). If you are not based in the Netherlands, part of your stay and travel will be reimbursed.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please contact the Program Manager at leyli@rockstart.com. You can also schedule a quick call.
Ecosystem partners
