The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has awarded a $1.64 million grant to Sydney-based non-profit EnergyLab to support a project that would help develop Australia’s renewable energy startup ecosystem.
The Entrepreneurial Support for the Cleantech Startup Ecosystem project is part of EnergyLab’s mission to support emerging clean-tech startups and overcome the barriers they face when scaling novel technologies and solutions.
The ARENA funding will help the non-profit address the gap in support available to early-stage clean energy startups operating in Australia.
Founded in 2017, EnergyLab runs several flagship programs to support its mission, including the Climate Solutions Accelerator, Women in Climate & Energy Fellowship, Scaleup Program, a Mentor Network, and EnergyLab Angels.
The grant from ARENA will enable the organisation to continue providing valuable support to startups commercialising emerging technologies for another four years throughout the project.
“Startups represent the future of renewable energy, taking the ideas and technologies that will get us to net zero, harnessing entrepreneurial spirit and bringing them to market,” said ARENA CEO Darren Miller.
“ARENA is funding EnergyLab to keep providing entrepreneurial support services to the renewable businesses of tomorrow, because of the transformative impact new ideas can have. We’re excited to see what the next generation of EnergyLab alumni go on to achieve.”
“The funding support being provided by ARENA means that EnergyLab can continue to offer and develop leading support programs to grow the clean energy and climate tech startup community in Australia,” said EnergyLab CEO Megan Fisher.
“Over the past 7 years, EnergyLab has supported over 170 startups and 130 aspiring founders while building a network of over 370 mentors and 180 angel investors. Moving forward, we will focus on delivering support that takes founders all the way from launching a startup to scaling globally.
Previous EnergyLab program alumni include software developer Gridcog, Renewable Metals, electricity retailer Amber Electric, and Infravision, whose drone-based approach to power line construction promises cheaper and safer transmission infrastructure.
For more information on EnergyLab, visit energylab.org.au.
