This was E-world.prototype.club 2026

E-world.prototype.club 2026 was more than three days at Europe’s leading energy trade fair — it became a live demonstration of how corporate ecosystems accelerate innovation. From robotics prototypes built in record time to AI-driven intelligence solutions and deep-dive discussions at the Startup Factory Masterclass, the three days showed what happens when established industry leaders, startups, and technology partners move beyond networking and start building together.

Across the SPARX challenge, the SONAR.AI finals, and curated expert sessions, one thing became clear: innovation no longer happens in isolation. It emerges when complementary players — infrastructure operators, industrial partners, research institutions and startups — combine their expertise to turn urgent industry needs into tangible solutions within weeks, not years.

The Amprion Challenges – from smart software to robust robotics – built in weeks not years

SPARX – This is what open innovation was meant for

The week kicked off with SPARX — a challenge built around a real operational need from Amprion. The task was very specific: develop robotic solutions capable of supporting critical infrastructure maintenance in complex environments. What makes SPARX different is not just the problem statement — it’s the ecosystem behind it. Within weeks, startups moved from concept to working robotic systems. With Bosch contributing metal 3D printing capabilities for custom components, Sprint Robotics supporting integration expertise, and Amprion providing direct access to field requirements, innovation didn’t happen in isolation. It happened collaboratively.

Instead of long development cycles and abstract proposals, SPARX delivered tangible prototypes — robots ready for real-world application after an exceptionally short build phase. This is exactly what open innovation is designed for: aligning corporate needs with startup speed, backed by an ecosystem that removes friction and accelerates execution.

AI Robotics winner of SPARX challenge with Amprion

What stood out with SPARx was not theoretical debate, but the speed and technical depth with which solutions were translated into physical prototypes.

This challenge also demonstrated what a true corporate ecosystem can unlock. Startups were able to build faster than traditional development cycles would normally allow. The result: tangible robotic solutions developed in weeks, not years.

Congratulations again to the finalists of the SPARX Challenge 2026:

🥇 Robotic.AI
🥈 HiBot
🥉 ISW University of Stuttgart

The evening concluded with one clear message: this was not the end of a competition, but the beginning of collaboration. The prototypes built for SPARX are not showcase pieces — they are starting points for continued development and real-world application for many TSOs.

SONAR.AI – Trend detection at its finest specific to TSOs

The SONAR.AI finals were all about translating complex trend data into actionable insights for transmission system operators. Over the course of the challenge, the three finalists tackled the problem from different perspectives, demonstrating the variety of ways AI can support early detection of technological developments from open sources. Each approach highlighted unique strengths, showing the potential of startups to bring fresh, data-driven solutions into critical infrastructure operations.

Congratulations to the winners of the SONAR.AI Challenge 2026:

🥇 Agents Inc
🥈 Bable
🥉 Inno Yolo

The award ceremony was not just a conclusion, but a launchpad. Discussions quickly shifted from “what was built” to “what comes next,” emphasizing that the challenge doesn’t end with the finals — it’s the start of ongoing collaboration and innovation in trend detection.

Startup Factory Masterclass: Where collaboration comes alive

The Startup Factory Masterclass at E-world energy & water was a dynamic hub for exchange, bringing together corporates, startups, and ecosystem partners to explore how innovation can be accelerated when different capabilities converge. Participants from Amprion shared operational perspectives, while Tokenize.it and OmegaLambdaTec presented short, insightful overviews of their solutions and approaches. Sprint Robotics highlighted the importance of integration expertise in real-world deployments, demonstrating how corporate and startup contributions can complement each other. Everyone’s expertise comes together to create something bigger.

The session seamlessly blended with the broader corporate ecosystem discussion: it was less about formal presentations and more about understanding how diverse players — from technology providers to transmission system operators — can come together to tackle challenges faster and more effectively.

Startup Factory Masterclass Panel at E-world energy & water 2026

Corporate Ecosystem Startup Concept Presentation

OmegaLambdaTec showing how data can help the energy industry

Tokenize.it demonstrating new financing options for energy industry

SprintRobotics emohasising importance of collaboration for innovation

Corporate Startup Ecosystem

One of the central themes at E-world was the power of a corporate–startup ecosystem. A slide titled “More direct access to industry partners and collaboration opportunities” summed it up perfectly, featuring logos from Bosch, Amprion, and Sprint Robotics. Through SPARX, this ecosystem came to life: startups gained hands-on access to corporate expertise, technology resources like Bosch’s 3D printing capabilities, and integration guidance from Sprint Robotics — all while working on a clearly defined operational need from Amprion.

This model illustrates what prototype.club does best: connecting startups with the right corporates and ecosystem partners, so that promising ideas don’t remain concepts but quickly evolve into tangible, implementable solutions. SPARX showed that when the right players align, the result isn’t just prototypes — it’s accelerated innovation ready for real-world deployment.

Strong Partners for Progress

Moving Forward – More Progress with the Ecosystem

E-world energy & water 2026 demonstrated what happens when corporates, startups, and ecosystem partners come together with a shared purpose. From SPARX robotic prototypes to SONAR.AI’s AI-driven trend detection and the dynamic exchanges at the Startup Factory Masterclass, the week showed that innovation isn’t a solo effort — it’s a collaborative journey.

With prototype.club facilitating these connections, ideas move faster, knowledge spreads more effectively, and solutions go from concept to reality in record time. The challenges, presentations, and conversations from E-world are just the beginning: the real impact unfolds as these collaborations continue, shaping the future of energy infrastructure and proving once again that when the right players align, innovation accelerates.