Compute Challengers: The Leading Startup Competition Driving Compute Innovation
Finalist announced.
MEET THE FINALISTS
200+
Applicants
50+
Jury members
7
Tracks
1
Winner
About Compute Summit Challengers 2026
Compute Challengers is a global startup competition spotlighting early-stage companies driving innovation across the compute industry.
Finalists are selected across seven frontier tracks – including energy infrastructure, cooling systems, green compute, and more. Final round features 20 standout startups chosen by an expert jury. Finalists receive free access to Energy Tech Summit 2026 in Bilbao, where they pitch live on stage to investors, partners, and media.
Organized by Futurae Media, a leader in producing high-impact startup battles and pitch competitions at major tech events, Compute Challengers follows a proven format that drives visibility, strategic connections, and real momentum for ambitious founders.
MEET THE FINALISTSMEET THE JURY
Compute Challengers Finalists
Reviewing Submissions & Live Pitches
Jury Members
Our jury consists of prominent investors and technology leaders who evaluate submissions for the Compute Challengers startup pitch competition. Shortlisted startups will pitch live in front of the jury during Energy Tech Summit 2026, one of the leading technology and innovation events. Participating startups benefit from increased exposure, expert evaluation, and meaningful connections within the global startup community.
Neha Manaktala
Global Head of ClimateTech Investments @ J.P. Morgan
Jaime Rodriguez-Ramos
Operating Director @ I Squared Capital
Ramzi Chrif
Vice President Operations, EU @ VIRTUS Data Centres
Benjamin Tincq
Founding Partner @ Marble
Svein Atle Hagaseth
EVP Global Chief Business Officer @ Green Mountain AS - Data centres
Phil Reid
Head of Energy Transition @ RED Engineering
Josiah Sullivan
Global Head of Customer Data Center Strategy @ AWS
Tate Cantrell
Chief Technology Officer @ Verne
Maija Tanner
Head of IBM Data & AI Platform Ecosystem, Northern, Central & Eastern Europe @ IBM
Rajeev Gupta
Senior Global Director - Sales Strategy and Bids @ Colt Data Centre Services
Doug Loewe
Senior Advisor @ AIIM and Non-Executive Director & Board Member @ ADII
Chris Pennigton
Director Energy and Sustainability @ Iron Mountain
Kirti Devi
Global Head of Go-To-Market: High Performance Compute (HPC) @ AWS
Will Wells
Partner @ Speedinvest
Quentin Calleja
Principal @ Atlantic VC
Talia Rafaeli
Partner @ KOMPAS VC
James Garcia
Deeptech Investor @ Speedinvest
Paul Eisenberg
Principal @ Extantia
Barry Noel King
Commercial Director - Digital Infrastructure @ Ferrovial
Talia Rafaeli
Partner @ KOMPAS VC
Sarah Luppino
Principal @ M Ventures
Borja Breña
Partner @ Nauta Capital
Iris ten Have
Principal @ Visionaries Tomorrow
David Ordonez
Senior Associate @ Nato Innovation Fund
Maximilian Ochs
Principal @ First Momentum Ventures
Jose M. Garcia
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR @ SETT
Max Werny
Investor @ Zero Carbon Capital
Christian Gonzalez
Investor @ Planet A Ventures
Manuel Lobo
Investor @ Nauta Capital
Andrew J. Scott
Founding Partner @ 7% Ventures
Philipp Kirchhoff
VC @ Allianz
Among Attendees:
Key dates for Compute Challengers 2026
From application to live pitch battle. Stay aligned with each milestone as your startup progresses through the competition.
January 26, 2026
APPLICATIONS CLOSE
All submissions must be received by this date to be considered.
February 9, 2026
FINALLISTS ANNOUNCED
Selected startups are notified and publicly revealed.
April 15-16, 2026
LIVE PITCH BATTLE AT ENERGY TECH SUMMIT 2026
Finalists present on stage in Bilbao during the summit’s main event.
Eligibility Criteria for Compute Challengers Applicants
To ensure alignment with the goals of the Compute Challengers program, all applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements. The competition is open to startups globally, with no geographical restrictions. These criteria are designed to identify companies at the right stage of development and with the potential to drive meaningful innovation in the compute industry.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Stage of Growth: From Pre-Seed to Series B
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Industry Focus: Must be a technology company innovating in compute – such as AI, quantum, cloud, edge, or high-performance computing
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Product Readiness: Should have an MVP at least or ideally market ready product; idea companies are not eligible
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Traction: Ideally should have revenue or demonstrable early traction
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Ownership Structure: Must be privately held, often with venture-backed or bootstrapped funding
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Independence: Cannot be a spin-off or subsidiary of a large conglomerate
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Participation Commitment: Finalists must attend Energy Tech Summit 2026 in person and pitch live at the Compute Challengers Finals, represented by a founder or C-level executive.
Startup Tracks at Compute Challengers
Explore the seven innovation tracks featured in the Compute Challengers startup competition, each designed to spotlight breakthrough technologies in the compute industry. Below, discover where your startup fits—and how your solution could lead the next wave of industry transformation.
ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Powering the compute revolution starts here. This track is for startups building resilient, flexible, and accessible energy systems that can meet the demands of high-performance computing. If your solution strengthens the foundation of tomorrow’s compute, this is your stage.
Relevant Solutions:
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Energy Storage
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Behind-the Meter Optimisation
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Microgrids
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Novel Baseload Technologies
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Flexibility & Demand Response
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PPAs & 24/7 Energy Procurement
COMPUTE OPTIMISATION
Think smarter, not just bigger. This track is for software-driven startups that maximize performance and efficiency across compute systems. If you’re reducing waste and unlocking more value from existing infrastructure, we want to see it.
Relevant Solutions:
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Workload Orchestration & Scheduling
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Network Efficiency
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Memory & Storage Efficiency
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Model Serving Optimization
NEXT-GEN HARDWARE
Breakthroughs in compute hardware take center stage here. This track highlights startups pushing the limits of performance and scalability—excluding cooling systems. If you’re reshaping the building blocks of compute, this is your arena.
Relevant Solutions:
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CPUs / GPUs
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Optical & Photonic Systems
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Quantum Computing
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Advanced Storage
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Disaggregated Memory Architectures
COOLING & THERMAL SYSTEMS
As compute density rises, so does the heat. This track is for startups tackling thermal challenges with bold, efficient cooling solutions. If you’re innovating in thermal design to support future workloads, we want to hear from you.
Relevant Solutions:
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HVAC Systems
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Liquid Cooling
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Immersion Cooling
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At-the-Chip-Level Cooling
DATA CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE
This track is for startups rethinking how data centers are planned, built, and operated. Whether you’re retrofitting legacy systems or designing disruptive new models, if you’re reshaping the backbone of compute, this is your space.
Relevant Solutions:
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Planning & Design
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Prefabricated Data Centers & Retrofits
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BMS / DCIM Platforms
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Digital Twin Technology
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Challenger Data Centers (Modular, Edge, Constellation, Neo-clouds)
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Cybersecurity & Compliance
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Operations & Maintenance
GREEN COMPUTE
Sustainability is the mission. This track is for startups making compute more climate-aligned, resilient, and resource-efficient. If you’re helping reduce emissions or improve environmental performance, this is your home.
Relevant Solutions:
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Resource Efficiency
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Climate Risk Mitigation
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Water Management
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24/7 Carbon Accounting & Procurement
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Sustainable Infrastructure Planning
Not sure where you fit?
That’s exactly what this track is for. Compute X is the space for unconventional ideas and experimental technologies that could redefine the future of compute.
COMPUTE X (WILD CARD)
Experimental approaches, or something no one’s imagined yet; if your innovation doesn’t fit neatly elsewhere but could redefine the future, this is the place to share it.
Relevant Solutions:
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Neuromorphic Systems
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Quantum-Inspired Algorithms
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Swarm Intelligence
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Unconventional Materials for Computation
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Biocompute
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Other Unexplored Paradigms
ORGANISER
Brought to you by Futurae Media
Compute Summit 2026 is brought to you by Futurae Media, a global event organiser fostering innovation across multiple industries like Energy and Mobility, Food and Agriculture, Digital Healthcare and Urban Tech.
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NEED CLARIFICATION?
Contact Us
Use the form to share any questions, comments, or additional context with the Compute Challengers team.
Whether you’re unsure about eligibility, curious about the tracks, or want to flag something unique about your startup—we’re here to help.
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ORGANISER
Futurae events, UAB
Company code: 306048802
Subaciaus str. 17-2, LT-01300
Vilnius, Lithuania
info@energytechsummit.com
+370 62217260
HOSTED BY
WE ACCEPT
© 2026 Futurae Media
