The technology must relate to at least one of the following categories: Energy Storage, Engineered Materials, Novel Chemical Solutions, Next Generation Agriculture, and Environmental & Net Zero Focused Solutions. Environmental & Net Zero Focussed Solutions include the use of sulfur in waste treatment, environmental remediation, geoengineering, concrete production, carbon capture solutions and other novel uses of sulfur.
If you are not clear on which category your technology is applicable for, please choose the ‘other novel uses of sulfur’ category.
An early stage technology for the purposes of this challenge is one that is at TRL 4 to 7. It must not be commercialized yet.
We invite applications from start-ups with technologies with pilotable solutions at an early stage of development, namely at TRL 4 to 7 inclusive. We will not accept applications from companies outside of this TRL range. A technology at TRL 4 means that there is a working prototype. The company should be looking to perform a larger-scale demonstration or trial for the technology and demonstrate plans for scale-up of the technology. TRL 7 means that there is a system prototype at scale in an operational environment.
The technology must not have already been globally deployed.
The technology must be at least at a working prototype stage and be working towards larger scale demonstration or trial. The technology needs to be incubated at ADRIC, ADNOC’s state of the art Research and Innovation Centre. Your technology should be suitable for the local climate and environmental conditions.
Yes, your company needs to own the intellectual property (IP) that underpins your technology.
The information submitted will be reviewed by assessors and judges from a number of different organisations. Your submission should not include confidential information concerning your technology’s intellectual property unless that intellectual property is legally protected.
The applicant company can be wholly or majority owned by a larger entity provided the technology meets the criteria for the Sulfur Innovation Challenge.
You must complete the application form in English. All pitches in the final event should also be presented in English.
The event will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during ADIPEC, which runs from November 4th to 7th 2024. The exact date and location of the final event will be released before the end of August.
Once applications close on September 16th 2024, screening and due diligence will be conducted on all applicants to ensure their applicability to the Challenge.
Detailed scoring will then be conducted, in partnership with technology experts, to identify 5 high-impact companies that deserve to pitch their technologies to a panel of judges at the final event.
All applications will be subjected to an initial screening by the Net Zero Technology Centre, to ensure their technology is applicable and within scope.
All applications that advance through this initial screening will be reviewed by a panel of experts nominated by ADNOC and project partners.
All applicants will be notified of their application status by early October 2024.
Winners will receive up to US$1 Million in technology development project opportunities with ADNOC, including access to technology incubation facilities at ADRIC, ADNOC’s state-of-the-art research and innovation facility in Abu Dhabi.
Please note this prize is not a cash prize to be used at the winner’s discretion, but contributes to the value of a project. ADNOC also reserve the right to structure the prize award to their choosing (i.e. up to US$1 Million to one winner or US$1 Million split amongst multiple winners). The prize award will be used to execute the delivery of the agreed scope as the awardee sees fit.
Yes, the winner will be expected to establish a presence in the UAE.