IRENA Has Selected Rising Stars Youth Award Winners
Four innovative start-ups were recognized for advancing clean energy solutions during the 2026 youth accelerator.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Energy
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The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) named the four winners of the 2026 Rising Stars Youth Award following a competitive pitch process. These start-ups were selected from 19 participants in the fourth edition of the NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator.
Why it matters
The programme supports young innovators to ensure that youth-led solutions remain at the heart of the global energy transition. By providing exposure and in-kind support, IRENA helps these fledgling companies scale their clean energy technologies.
The competition included 19 start-ups, nine of which are women-led. Aunkur AI currently serves 33,000 farmers, while Enlog manages a portfolio of 30 gigawatt-hours and GreenBox by MVUTU has preserved 20,400 tonnes of perishable food.
The players
International Renewable Energy Agency
This intergovernmental organization supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future.
Aunkur AI
This Bangladesh-based start-up provides agricultural technology solutions to 33,000 farmers.
Enlog
An India-based firm that manages a significant portfolio of energy infrastructure projects.
MVUTU
A Republic of the Congo-based venture that developed the GreenBox to preserve perishable food items.
YY ReGen
A Lebanon-based enterprise focused on developing renewable energy units.
The details
Aunkur AI secured first place in the competition, while Enlog and MVUTU tied for second, and YY ReGen took third. Awardees earn in-kind and exposure prizes aimed at scaling their impact, which ranges from reducing post-harvest food loss to managing large-scale energy portfolios.
Timeline
The IRENA NewGen programme launched in 2023.
Pitches for the award were held on September 17, 2026.
YY ReGen expects to produce 15 additional units by the end of 2026.
Deeper Dive
The results reflect the activities of the IRENA NewGen Renewable Energy Accelerator, which facilitates the growth of young innovators within the energy sector. This cohort updates the ongoing trajectory of the program by highlighting emerging technologies currently scaling in international markets.
These winning technologies could lead to more efficient agricultural outcomes and increased renewable energy availability globally. As these start-ups scale, their innovations offer potential pathways for cheaper food preservation and enhanced energy management in developing regions.
The takeaway
The recognition of these start-ups highlights a shift toward decentralized, youth-driven energy solutions in emerging economies. Readers can observe how niche renewable technologies effectively tackle localized issues like food waste and crop yields.
What happens next
YY ReGen is scheduled to scale its production capacity by adding 15 new units by the end of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the sector on the Energy page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Irena.
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Do you believe youth-led clean energy innovations are effective at improving agricultural productivity in your community?
