Tunisia's Thriving Startup Ecosystem: A Hub for Energy Transition
In recent years, Tunisia has quietly built one of the most interesting startup ecosystems in the Mediterranean, focusing on energy transition. The country combines a pool of high-level engineers, strategic proximity to Europe, and a pressing need for energy efficiency, network modernization, and sustainable mobility.
Five Startups Leading the Charge
The five startups selected for the 2026 Terna Innovation Zone Tunisia Global Startup Program, led by Mind the Bridge and ELIS Innovation Hub, offer a telling snapshot of this dynamic:
- Amperon Technologies
- Orbit Engineering Solutions
- DeepVolt
- ProVerdy
- Pixii Motors
These startups demonstrate specialization, focus, and growing maturity, each addressing a specific aspect of the energy transition value chain, from industrial energy intelligence to sustainable mobility, network management, and ESG data.
A Broader Story: Tunisia's Unique Approach
Together, these startups tell a larger story: Tunisia is not trying to replicate Silicon Valley. Instead, it is building solutions tailored to the real infrastructure challenges shared between Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Transforming Energy Efficiency into Industrial Intelligence
The fastest path to decarbonization is often the most pragmatic: reducing waste. This is precisely the mission of Amperon Technologies, led by CEO Mohamed Ali Hmida. The startup has developed an Industrial AI platform that transforms machine energy consumption into real-time operational and environmental intelligence. With a single non-intrusive sensor, industrial companies can monitor productivity, machine downtime, equipment health, energy intensity, and carbon footprint without complex retrofitting.
Already deployed with over a dozen clients in the plastics, aerospace, and automotive sectors, the solution generates energy savings of 5-10% and a return on investment in under three months. With validated technology (TRL 8) and a planned €1 million seed funding round in 2026, Amperon is preparing to expand into Europe, particularly in Germany, Italy, and France.
Data as the Backbone of Industrial Energy Systems
While Amperon optimizes machines, Orbit Engineering Solutions tackles the challenge at the industrial site level. Founded by Tarek Chebbah, the startup has developed Orbit Smart Monitoring, a cloud-based SaaS platform that centralizes real-time data from meters, solar installations, storage systems, and microgrids.
With over 4,200 connected devices and billions of data points processed, Orbit is already a scale-up with clients like Coca-Cola, Délice, SFBT, and Warda. The next step involves integrating predictive AI modules, carbon analysis, and expansion into Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. This is further proof that Tunisia is producing deep tech actors capable of scaling up.
Preparing the Electrical Grid for Decentralized Production
With the rise of renewables, the challenge is no longer just producing energy but orchestrating it. DeepVolt, founded by Karem Chatti, is developing a hardware-free Virtual Power Plant platform that aggregates and predicts the production of distributed solar installations.
By relying solely on data integration, the solution significantly reduces deployment costs and facilitates the coordination of connected photovoltaic assets. Still in the early stages but already in discussions with national operators, DeepVolt is preparing a SaaS MVP and advanced forecasting models, with a clear ambition to expand into Europe and the United States.
Transforming ESG Data into Operational Decisions
Energy transition is also about regulation and finance. ProVerdy, founded by Souha Bejaoui, addresses this challenge with an AI-based ESG platform adapted to the MEA region's realities.
The solution automates emission measurement (Scope 1, 2, and 3) and transforms reporting into concrete action levers, combining carbon impact and economic return. Already used by actors like Banque de Tunisie and Novo Nordisk, ProVerdy is one of the most mature startups in the cohort. Its next phase involves regional expansion and enriching its AI automation capabilities.
Accelerating Electric Mobility in Emerging Markets
The final piece of the puzzle is mobility. Pixii Motors, founded by former Airbus pilot Anis Fekih, is developing intelligent electric scooters designed for African and European markets.
Beyond the vehicle, the startup is building a complete ecosystem: real-time diagnostics, remote updates, anti-theft, removable batteries, and solar charging infrastructure. With over $500,000 raised and recent recognition at the BOLD Awards 2026, Pixii is preparing to launch its first industrial production.
A Coherent Architecture for Energy Transition
Individually, these startups address specific niches. Together, they form a comprehensive stack for energy transition: industrial efficiency, energy system management, renewable orchestration, ESG intelligence, and sustainable mobility.
Their presence in the Terna Innovation Zone Tunisia illustrates a deeper trend: the growing maturity of the Tunisian ecosystem and its increasing positioning as an innovation bridge between Europe and Africa.
About Alberto Onetti
Alberto Onetti is Chairman of Mind the Bridge and a professor at the University of Insubria. A serial entrepreneur, he has founded three startups, including Funambol, one of the top five Italian scale-ups in terms of funding. He is recognized as a leading international expert in open innovation and has extensive experience in designing and managing open innovation projects, venture client, venture building, intrapreneurship, and corporate venture capital for large multinational companies. Onetti regularly publishes contributions in several specialized international media outlets.
By Alberto Onetti, Chairman, Mind the Bridge.
