EDF Energy is encouraging companies and entrepreneurs to find new ideas that could spark innovation in the energy sector, including products and ideas for businesses and consumers transitioning to electric vehicles.

Part of EDF Group’s Pulse Awards, young companies with the best ideas will have the chance to gain expert support and advice, as well as attract investment, to help develop their concepts for the mass market.

The company’s innovation accelerator, Blue Lab, is on the lookout for entries to fit key areas of focus for the organisation.

As well as products to do with electric vehicles, EDF are looking for ways to make life better for EDF Energy customers; Artificial Intelligence; and fresh ideas that have the potential to energise the sector.

Start-ups with the best ideas to meet the challenge will gain access to EDF Energy’s scale and network to help develop business opportunities.

Jean-Benoit Ritz, Director of Innovation and Blue Lab, said: “This challenge offers the most innovative start-ups a unique gateway into the world of energy to help us, jointly, deliver a powerful future for the benefit of society. EDF Energy has a strong history of promoting innovation and we want to ensure we continue to gain a fresh perspective by collaborating with an even wider range of young companies.”

Short-listed organisations will work closely with the company over a 12-week period, with mentoring from senior leaders within EDF Energy and access to experts.

They will be given an opportunity to validate their products, and trial and test them in live environments to gain valuable customer feedback and consumer insights.

Free office space is also available during the challenge at IDEALondon, an innovation centre in the heart of London’s Tech City, run by EDF Energy, Cisco and UCL Engineering.

The challenge is the third run in partnership with L Marks. Daniel Saunders, CEO of L Marks, said: “It is wonderful to be continuing our partnership with EDF Energy to launch this new innovation programme and build on the success they have generated through working with start-ups and scale-ups from across the energy sector. Together with EDF Energy we will be discovering early-stage companies as we journey into an electric future and look to improve the lives of their customers.”

The challenge gives start-ups the chance to gain investment from EDF Energy, along with a £10,000 cash prize for one overall winner.