Emerging Hydrogen Stars: The Secret Formula Behind the Most Successful Founders

H2UB, Europe's leading open innovation platform for the entire hydrogen value chain, has published a groundbreaking study. “Rising Stars in Hydrogen: Career Pathways of High-Potential H2 Founders” highlights the unique characteristics and experiences of founders who are driving the hydrogen sector towards the energy transition.

As hydrogen technologies are becoming a critical pillar of global sustainability efforts, the study examines the professional backgrounds of the entrepreneurs behind the most promising start-ups in Europe and America. The results show the importance of experienced, tech-savvy entrepreneurs as drivers of innovation in this challenging field.

Key findings of the study:

• Technical excellence: more than 50% of H2 founders have a bachelor's degree in engineering, many even have an advanced degree. Almost every second founder has a doctorate, which underlines the importance of applied research.
• Professional experience: On average, the founders of hydrogen start-ups have gained more than 14 years of professional experience after their studies, especially in industries such as energy, chemicals or automotive.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: 43% of innovators bring entrepreneurial experience from previous start-ups to tackle the complex challenges of the hydrogen sector.
• Lack of women in the industry: Despite industry growth, only 7 of the 158 founders identified in the study were female, highlighting the urgent need to support female careers in the sector

The results show that scaling hardware innovation is not just about achieving technical excellence, but that a strong network is just as important. The ability to understand customer needs and gain access to decision makers is a great advantage in the early stages of technology scaling.

H2UB addresses these needs by creating Europe's leading open innovation platform that brings together the best entrepreneurs, innovators and investors. It creates the foundation for sustainable partnerships to drive hydrogen innovation.

“The results clearly show that building a successful hydrogen start-up requires more than just a good idea,” says Uwe Kerkmann, CEO of H2UB. “It takes a highly qualified, experienced team with a deep understanding of technology and market dynamics. At H2UB, we are proud to support these rising stars in laying the foundation for a sustainable energy future by providing a strong industry network and breaking down barriers to drive the growth of hydrogen innovation.”

The study looked at start-ups in North America and Europe that have raised $20 million or more in equity, venture capital or other grants. By focusing on companies that are on the cusp of becoming a unicorn or have already achieved it, the study provides insights into the entrepreneurial pathways that are shaping the hydrogen sector.