Innovate. Collaborate.
Accelerate.
Scale your flexible energy solution for a sustainable industry with our programme.
About the programme
The switch to cleaner energy requires remarkable collaborations. Neither businesses, governments or 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 make a positive impact on the wider Amsterdam region’s journey to become a climate-neutral and circular region.
Who are we looking for?
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:
Flexible Industrial Energy Systems: Innovations that enable physical flexibility in sustainable energy vectors, storage and logistics within industrial settings
Sustainable Energy Technologies: Circular and sustainable solutions for industrial heat reuse, circular material flows, and low-cost, IoT-based energy innovations
Smart Energy Management: Digital, AI, and data-driven solutions that optimize energy use and enable intelligent industrial operations
Why apply?
Acces 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.
Acces to DataRelevant data drives decision making, optimizes operations and fuels growth strategies.
Acces 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.
Acces 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
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?
Questions?
We have just the right answers for you
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).
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 15 candidates. These startups and scaleups will then be invited to a 45-minute online interview in the first three weeks of September 2025.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 on 6 October 2025.
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 24 and 25 November 2025.
- There will be an in-person finals event of three days in Amsterdam on 14, 15 and 16 April 2026. All participants will have the chance to pitch in front of investers and industry experts during the demo-day on 16 April 2026.
- There will be online Deep Dive Weeks, with 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 program. And your physical attendance during the in-person events on 24 and 25 November 2025 (Kick-off) and 14,15 and 16 April 2026 (Finals Week).
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please contact us at LeapSprong@rockstart.com
Ecosystem partners
