• Ongoing Projects
• Energy in the SME sector

German SMEs are the backbone of the economy and are facing major challenges in the face of decarbonisation, digitalisation and rising energy costs. Energy-intensive sectors such as chemicals, metals and building materials in particular need innovative solutions to remain competitive and future-proof.

Innovation potential of start-ups: utilising opportunities, overcoming hurdles

At the same time, start-ups in the energy sector are developing new technologies, business models and digital applications with great potential for innovation. However, cooperation between SMEs and start-ups has so far been rare and often difficult to realise – cultural differences, a lack of contacts and structural barriers prevent these opportunities from being fully exploited.

Study on cooperation between SMEs and start-ups

As part of SET Hub III – an innovation project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and carried out jointly with the German Energy Agency (dena) – we are investigating how SMEs are tackling energy-related challenges. The Borderstep Institute is conducting a scientific study to systematically record these challenges.

A key result will be the development of 25 practical case studies (“challenges”) that describe specific problems faced by SMEs. The study thus creates the basis for establishing innovation tandems between SMEs and start-ups and jointly developing solutions for energy management, resource efficiency and sustainable business models.

Objectives: Strengthen innovation and competitiveness

• Identify and systematically process energy-related challenges
• Analyse existing collaborations between SMEs and start-ups and derive success factors
• Develop recommendations for action to facilitate access to suitable partners
• Create 25 challenges as a starting point for practical innovation partnerships
• Create sustainable structures for collaboration between SMEs and start-ups

Borderstep Institute: Expertise for energy, SMEs and start-ups

The Borderstep Institute has many years of research experience at the interface of SMEs, energy and sustainable innovation. In numerous projects, Borderstep has investigated how small and medium-sized enterprises react to the challenges of the energy transition and digitalisation and how green start-ups can act as a driving force for new solutions.

Thanks to this scientific expertise and its access to both stakeholder groups, Borderstep is particularly qualified to identify the energy-related challenges facing SMEs and to develop viable cooperation models between companies and start-ups – also with regard to sustainable business models.