February 3, 2025 -- The fourth TERA-Award Energy Innovation Competition, which opened for registration last month, has attracted more than 100 tech teams from 32 countries and regions – an 80% increase compared to the same period last year. The TERA-Award Organising Committee encourages teams from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, and overseas to take advantage of the remaining two-month registration period to compete for the opportunity to become the next technology unicorn.
Currently, registered projects span the competition’s six main categories: Renewable Energy, Energy Storage and Conversion, CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage) Technologies, Green Fuels and Hydrogen Energy, Intelligent Energy Systems, and Smart City. The Intelligent Energy Systems category has received the highest number of entries, reflecting the growing emphasis on artificial intelligence in driving energy transition and smart upgrades, with corresponding increases in research outputs.
Participating teams represent 32 countries and regions, including traditional climate technology powerhouses such as China, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Israel, Switzerland, France, and Japan, alongside emerging innovation hubs like India and South Africa. International projects account for over 70% of entries, with the US leading in submissions, followed by Germany and the UK. All participating projects demonstrate significant potential in both technological innovation and practical application.
TERA-Award Chief Organiser Mr Heron Ho Shing-yan notes that since its launch, the competition has garnered substantial support and attention from strategic partners, academic institutions, supporting organisations, and media outlets. “Project recruitment and preparations are progressing smoothly. The organising committee plans to hold several global briefing sessions in February and March to comprehensively introduce this year’s competition highlights and investment opportunities to climate technology startups and scientists”.
Registration for this year’s competition closes on 9 April, after which judging will commence. The expert panel, comprising authoritative figures from industry, academia, and investment sectors, will evaluate projects based on innovation, commercial potential, execution capability, and practical applicability to ensure selected projects combine technological foresight with industrial application value.
The award presentation ceremony will take place in July, and the winners will be announced. The Gold Award winner will receive a grand prize of US$1 million. Outstanding projects will have opportunities to connect with experts, mentors, and investors across various fields, potentially securing strategic investment from The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas), Full Vision Capital, and other partners. They may also implement their solutions within Towngas and partners’ application scenarios, accelerating their growth towards becoming the next green unicorn and contributing fresh momentum to global sustainable energy development.
About the TERA-Award Energy Innovation Competition
The TERA-Award Energy Innovation Competition, organised by Towngas and empowered by Full Vision Capital, aims to discover and develop innovative technologies and solutions in climate technology. It promotes zero-carbon technology development by bringing together global innovative technological forces to advance climate technology innovation and application. The competition serves as an international acceleration platform, matching climate technology entrepreneurs with investors and application scenario providers to help early-stage climate technology companies grow rapidly and drive the realisation of a green, smart, and sustainable future.
In brief
The fourth TERA-Award Energy Innovation Competition has drawn more than 100 teams from 32 countries and regions during its first month of registration, according to the organisers. They report that entries are up 80% from the same period last year, with international projects representing over 70% of submissions. Intelligent Energy Systems currently has the largest entry count among six competition categories. Registration remains open until April 9, followed by project judging; the award ceremony and winner announcement are scheduled for July. The Gold Award carries a US$1 million prize. The organisers say selected projects may also have opportunities to meet experts, mentors and investors, and to explore applications with Towngas and partners.
Key takeaways
- The competition reports more than 100 participating teams from 32 countries and regions in its first registration month.
- International projects account for over 70% of submissions, organisers say; Intelligent Energy Systems has the most entries.
- Registration closes April 9, and project judging will follow; the award ceremony is planned for July.
- The Gold Award prize is US$1 million, and selected projects may connect with investors and application partners.
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Press photo:
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TERA-Award Chief Organiser Mr Heron Ho Shing-yan says that the fourth TERA-Award Energy Innovation Competition is now open for registration and encourages innovative teams worldwide to participate.
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At a glance
- Company
- The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)
- Announcement
- Event
Key figures
- Registered teams
- more than 100
- Countries and regions represented
- 32
- Increase from the same period last year
- 80%
- Share of entries from international projects
- over 70%
- Gold Award prize
- US$1 million
People
- Heron Ho Shing-yanTERA-Award Chief Organiser
Products and programs
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