IDOM leads the SolarX Startup Challenge 2025 in Santiago to boost solar innovation

On August 6, Santiago, Chile, became the epicenter of solar innovation when it hosted the SolarX Startup Challenge 2025 at the Marriott Hotel as part of the Seventh Regional Meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

In an effort to reconcile economic development with environmental preservation, Latin America and the Caribbean have intensified their global commitments to decarbonization by 2050. In this context, climate tech startups, which are dedicated to addressing climate challenges, have emerged. These companies address various needs, including transforming the energy matrix. They aim to take advantage of the region’s geographical advantages to diversify energy sources, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigate energy cost volatility.

Renewable energies, particularly solar energy, have become essential to a sustainable energy transition. Chile, in particular, has a unique competitive advantage thanks to the Atacama Desert, which receives some of the highest levels of solar radiation on Earth. These conditions have positioned Chile as a regional leader in developing large-scale solar photovoltaic farms, with 355 installations. Chile also ranks second in solar energy generation, behind only Brazil, with a capacity of 8,141 GWh.

In recognition of its leadership in renewable energy, Chile was chosen as the location for the International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) strategic conversations and energy objectives for the coming year. The SolarX event brought together leaders from the energy sector, entrepreneurs, and government representatives to explore new financing avenues and foster the growth of solar energy startups.

The call seeks to identify and select twenty solar startups with innovative proposals and the potential for long-term regional impact. Each winning company will receive a $15,000 cash prize, access to an acceleration program, and opportunities to connect with investors and international institutions.

As a firm committed to energy transformation and sustainable development, IDOM led one of the meeting’s main panels. During the panel, Andrés Mackenna, IDOM LATAM’s director, presented the results of the consultancy developed by the CIH Colombia team. He highlighted IDOM’s role as a catalyst for innovative solutions in the region.

During his speech, Mackenna highlighted three strategic pillars that guide IDOM’s work in this area:

1. Enabling infrastructure: development of tools and environments that allow institutions and territories to adopt new sustainable business models.
2. Ecosystem structuring: connection between technological solutions and public and private actors, generating synergies that facilitate experimentation, validation and scalability.
3. Knowledge transfer: implementation of acceleration programs that strengthen the business models of startups and emerging initiatives.

The panel included Simple Map from Chile, as well as previous winners of the challenge from Africa and the Asia-Pacific region: Uganda Energy and Cibos. These startups exemplify how solar innovation can adapt to diverse contexts and generate real impact in local communities.

At the close of the event, Mónica Mejía, part of the project’s operational team, presented the terms and conditions of the call and invited the region’s governments to participate: “Let’s extend this challenge to all solar entrepreneurs in our countries. The energy transition needs your talent, vision, and commitment.”