Plug and Play launches accelerator for hydrogen start-ups

The goal of the new program is to develop an innovative hydrogen ecosystem in Europe and beyond.

Plug and Play has announced the "H2 StartUp Accelerator Program," a new initiative focused entirely on hydrogen. The US-based investment platform has chosen Hamburg as the location for the program. The program is to be launched with the help of Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer Fokus. Shell, The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Phillips 66 as well as the city of Hamburg also support the project.

The development of the new hydrogen economy is picking up speed worldwide. Building and scaling the value chain would require coordination between policy makers, companies and investors. The "H2 StartUp Accelerator Program" aims to foster the necessary dialogue and collaboration between these stakeholders to accelerate the development of a hydrogen ecosystem in Europe and other regions.

"Green hydrogen in particular is one of the most exciting areas of research right now and will be one of the main pillars for a carbon-free economy," says Henrik Czernomoriez, Head of Innovation Management at Fraunhofer Fokus. "That's why we believe this innovative program will open up great opportunities for startups, companies and society."