How to apply
2027 BNEF Pioneers
Each year, the BNEF Pioneers team chooses three global climate challenges and awards prizes to innovators that offer novel, substantial, scalable and competitive solutions to them.
BNEF’s global analyst teams review all applications and shortlist 20-30 finalists, from which the winners are selected by a panel of BNEF experts. The panel also selects wildcard winners, recognizing climate-tech solutions that lie outside of the three challenges.
The themes for 2027 are:
The huge revenue opportunity associated with AI compute capacity means data centers are willing to pay a premium for power that allows them to energize quickly. Speed to Power at both the grid level and behind the meter level has become a key priority for energy developers. Right now, much of the investment is in fossil-fired gas generation. This challenge will examine technologies that enable accelerated energization of generation capacity that is cleaner than behind-the meter gas-fired generation. This includes nuclear, geothermal, energy storage, carbon capture, renewables, accelerating grid build and freeing up grid capacity.
Global conflict in recent years and its resulting disruptive impacts on global energy supplies have repositioned energy security and resiliency as core requirements of many nations’ energy transition plans. In no part of the transition is this more relevant than the metals and mining sector, where a huge amount of not just mining, but also refining capacity for critical minerals is concentrated in a small number of regions. This challenge examines technologies that allow for markets to boost the resiliency of their own metals supply chain. Solutions could include but are not limited to new mining technologies, refining processes, or recycling solutions.
As global temperatures rise, reducing the impact of hotter temperatures on human health and development will be more essential than ever. This challenge will largely explore but not be limited to technologies and solutions relating to air conditioning and cooling in buildings, but would be open to other business models and technologies that reduce the risk of rising global temperatures on human health and development. This could include cooling wear, cool urban infrastructure, water dispersal solutions.
Contact us at pioneers@bloomberg.net for any questions.
Applicant requirements
Applicants can be any of the following:
- Early-stage companies (private, non-profit, public or subsidiaries)
- Pilot projects and joint ventures
- NGOs, laboratories and innovation communities
Evaluation criteria
Submissions are judged on three fundamental criteria:
- Potential impact: What is the scale of the opportunity being addressed? To what extent can this solution address the climate challenge? Can you quantify the greenhouse gas emissions your technology could eliminate? Is your business local or can it be rolled out in multiple geographical markets? Will it spawn an entire ecosystem of new supporting businesses? Might there be negative unforeseen impacts of the technology when it scales?
- Innovation: How original is your technology or business model? Is it a ground-breaking modification of what others are doing, or is it something completely new? Is it patented or otherwise proven? Are there barriers to its adoption or success and can these be overcome? What complementary policies or business structures already exist?
- Likelihood of adoption: Over what timeframe could your innovation scale? What partnerships, clients and investors do you have? How do you plan to take your product to market? What is your level of cost competitiveness? What would the carbon price have to be? Can your business model or technology attract the necessary amount of investment?
Recognition
Gain exposure in BNEF reports, articles, videos, podcasts, and at BNEF events.
Access
Get one year of access to BNEF Web and all our in-person or online events.
Networking
Join Pioneers alumni and mix with climate and energy leaders at BNEF events.
“For years, BNEF has been the stand-out information platform in the global energy sector. To be selected as a BNEF Pioneer is not only a huge honor but also a strong validation of our product.”
Claudio Spadacini, CEO
