4th November 2025 Dublin, Ireland

AssetCool, a UK-based deep-tech company specializing in photonic coatings and advanced robotics for grid optimization, has been named Start-up of the Year 2025 at the Free Electrons Global Energy Innovation Program, the world’s largest energy related open innovation platform connecting start-ups with leading global utilities.

The announcement was made during the Grand Finale and Open Day in Dublin, hosted by ESB marking the culmination of the program’s 9th edition. The program brought together some of the world’s most innovative energy start-ups and forward-thinking utilities to co-create solutions that accelerate the global energy transition.

Over the past decade, Free Electrons has facilitated more than 280 pilots generated over $123 million USD in value and reached 119 markets. The program’s global utility partners include CLP (Hong Kong), EDP (Portugal), E. ON (Germany), ESB (Ireland), JERA (Japan), Hydro Québec (Canada) and Origin Energy (Australia).

This year’s edition saw more than 850 start-ups from over 60 countries applying to join the program. Over the course of nine months, through a rigorous multi-stage selection process, 30 start-ups were invited to the Bootcamp in Sydney, followed by 15 finalists advancing to the Master Module in Hong Kong. The journey concluded in Dublin with AssetCool emerging as Start-Up of the Year, recognized for its demonstrated pilot success, cross-utility collaboration, and proven potential to accelerate the energy transition at scale.

“It’s a great honour to be recognised among such an impressive group of innovators, given there were 887 applicants from all over the globe, and the quality of the finalists was so high” said Dr Niall Coogan, Co-Founder and CEO of AssetCool. “However, it does reflect the truly unique technology stack we have built, and the incredible techno-economics we have on one of the world’s biggest problems, grid congestion. Particular credit to the incredibly talented team who continues to drive amazing technology and results.”

“Free Electrons is about bringing bold ideas and global utilities together,” said John McKiernan, ESB. “AssetCool’s approach shows how smart engineering and fresh thinking can help transform the way we think about managing and optimising energy systems. It’s exciting to see new technology with this kind of potential emerging through Free Electrons.”

As AssetCool continues to scale globally, it plans to participate in additional innovation programs that enhance commercial traction and visibility. The company recognizes Free Electrons as the most comprehensive and impactful program in the energy innovation ecosystem, bridging utilities and start-ups to deliver real-world transformation.

About AssetCool

AssetCool develops advanced robotics and functional coating for energy grid infrastructure. Its core platform increases the capacity and efficiency of power lines through direct external application of proprietary thermal-management nanomaterials. In addition, the company is equipped to solve additional problems that grid operators are facing including noise, corrosion, and other O&M challenges of the line.

More at www.assetcool.com.

About Free Electrons

Free Electrons is the world’s leading open innovation program for the energy sector, co-founded by a global alliance of utilities including CLP, EDP, E.ON, ESB, Hydro Québec and Origin Energy. The program enables start-ups to co-develop pilot projects, scale solutions, and accelerate the global energy transition through collaboration and investment.

Visit freeelectrons.org.