DDI supports launch of Net Zero Start-up Hub incubation program in Fredericia

The six-month program marks the launch of a dedicated start-up track within the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers. Through its involvement, DDI supports closer collaboration between start-ups, data center operators, technology providers, and energy system actors, helping promising technologies move from concept to implementation within the data center industry.

The incubation program is based in Fredericia, a location that brings together critical energy infrastructure, digital connectivity, and industrial expertise. This proximity enables start-ups to develop and test solutions close to the systems and operational environments they are intended to support.

Kick-off focused on supply chains and pathways into data centers

The kick-off program brought start-ups, industry partners, and ecosystem stakeholders together around a shared agenda focused on how innovation enters data centers in practice.

Sessions explored the data center supply chain, the requirements operators place on new technologies, and how start-ups can collaborate with established companies to move from pilots to deployment. Discussions also addressed how early engagement with operators, infrastructure providers, and energy system actors can reduce barriers to adoption and accelerate scaling.

As part of a dedicated knowledge-sharing session, team members from different Google departments joined the program to share perspectives and insights on collaboration, community engagement, and innovation.

“Google's commitment to the Net Zero Start-up Hub reflects a long-term commitment to Fredericia, home to our Danish data center,” said Niels Martin Andersen, Senior Public Affairs Manager at Google. “The Data Center industry is experiencing unprecedented growth globally and we need innovation to meet the demands for scale, pace and sustainability. The Net Zero Start-up Hub will help to unlock this potential by scaling and accelerating new innovative data center solutions.”

From ambition to implementation

As demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, the need for solutions that reduce energy use, increase flexibility, and support decarbonization is becoming increasingly urgent.

The Net Zero Start-up Hub was established to address this challenge by creating a structured environment where start-ups can work closely with data center operators, technology providers, and energy system actors, with support from industry organizations such as the Danish Data Center Industry. The goal is to ensure that new solutions are developed with a clear understanding of operational requirements, regulatory conditions, and realistic pathways to scale within the Danish and European data center ecosystem.

“Data centers are critical digital infrastructure, and how the industry develops is important for competitiveness, energy systems, and the green transition,” said Henrik Hansen, CEO of the Danish Data Center Industry. “By supporting the Net Zero Start-up Hub, we help ensure that new solutions are developed in close dialogue with the industry that will ultimately deploy them. This gives our members early insight into emerging technologies and helps strengthen Denmark’s position as a leader in sustainable digital infrastructure.”

Fredericia as host for innovation

The kick-off also included a small press event, where the Mayor of Fredericia welcomed the participating start-ups and partners and highlighted the city’s role as a hub for energy systems and digital infrastructure.

“Fredericia brings together energy infrastructure, industry, and digital solutions in a unique way,” said Peder Tind, Mayor of Fredericia. “With the Net Zero Start-up Hub, we are proud to welcome international start-ups and help turn global ambition into concrete solutions developed here in Fredericia.”

Six start-ups selected for the program

The following start-ups have been selected to participate in the first Net Zero Start-up Hub incubation program:

·      AirJoule

·      Halide Energy

·      Neocarbon

·      Sperra

·      Shiptown

·      Zero Entropy

The start-ups work with solutions related to heat reuse, carbon capture, hydrogen-based backup energy, long-duration energy storage, and other technologies relevant to data center infrastructure and energy integration.

A structured incubation approach

During the six-month program, the start-ups will take part in a structured incubation process that includes access to industry partners and domain experts, advisory board and mentorship support, opportunities to test and validate solutions in real-world contexts, and support in refining business models and scaling strategies.

The program is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, ensuring that promising technologies are developed with the operational realities of data centers and digital infrastructure in mind.

About the Net Zero Start-up Hub

The Net Zero Start-up Hub is a flagship initiative of the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers, developed with support from the Danish Data Center Industry and a group of global technology leaders and energy system partners, including Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, Danfoss, and Data4.

Situated in Fredericia, a European hotspot for green energy and digital infrastructure, the Hub provides start-ups with access to industry networks, advanced infrastructure, and a strong ecosystem for testing and scaling solutions. The Net Zero Start-up Hub is designed to connect early-stage innovators with the partners, systems, and market access needed to turn ideas into deployable solutions for the data center industry.