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EnergyLab has officially announced the ten startups selected for the 2026 Energy Scaleup Program. Now in its seventh year, the program partners industry-ready startups with leading Australian energy companies to co-create commercial opportunities and fast-track the transition to a decarbonised grid.

“The maturity we are seeing across the Australian climate tech ecosystem right now is incredibly exciting. As EnergyLab enters its tenth year of operations, our local innovators are firmly stepping out of ‘pilot potential’ and proving they can scale globally—a momentum clearly reflected in our Australian alumni raising a massive $348 million in investment last year - including raises from previous Energy Scaleup Program alumni Infravision and Neara.

What I love about this seventh cohort is how practical and market-ready the technologies are. We have a phenomenal group of homegrown Aussie startups this year leading the charge alongside global pioneers. They are tackling everything from advanced robotics that de-risk hazardous field maintenance to sophisticated AI platforms built for real-time renewable balancing and automated contract pricing. For industry partners looking to build grid resilience, this program is simply a structured, low-risk pathway to collaborate with some of the best innovative technical minds in the business.”

– Megan Fisher, CEO & Director at EnergyLab



Global Innovators Solving Immediate Grid Dilemmas

Working closely with industry partners, the program has identified specific, pressing focus areas for 2026. This year's startups bring diverse technical solutions built to solve a wide range of complex network issues, including:

  • Grid capacity limitations
  • Slow infrastructure planning
  • Real-time renewable balancing
  • Manual contract pricing
  • Hazardous field maintenance

Industry Collaboration: The Partner Perspective

The 2026 program is delivered in collaboration with key program partners, including Endeavour Energy, Origin, and TEPCO Power Grid (through Greenway Grid Global).

Endeavour Energy

“Endeavour Energy is constantly on the lookout for new innovations that can help us run our network more effectively and efficiently to better serve our communities. Our partnership with the EnergyLab scale-up program provides a structured platform to understand which solutions are maturing in the market and to engage with global pioneers where there is clear strategic fit and value. This enables us to prioritise where we invest our time and effort to address key challenges and deliver maximum value for our customers and communities”.

– Melissa Doueihi, Head of Strategy & Innovation

Origin

We are proud to bring back Origin as a partner for this year, deepening their engagement with Australia’s climate tech ecosystem. Through this partnership, the Scaleup cohort will connect directly with industry leaders shaping the future of energy, giving these ten startups a powerful platform to scale their solutions and accelerate Australia’s climate innovation ecosystem.

“At Origin, we're focused on finding practical solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the energy sector. Programs like EnergyLab help bring together emerging technologies, entrepreneurial talent and industry expertise to accelerate progress.”

- John Bowie, Chief Strategy Officer

The Program

The ten selected startups will undergo an immersion into the Australian energy landscape.

  • Market Intelligence: Startups will participate in targeted sessions with key market bodies, including the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
  • Partnership Discovery: Australian energy companies will deliver dedicated market briefings and hold one-on-one meetings with the cohort to explore potential commercial pilots and partnerships.
  • Community Engagement: A series of pitch events will be held throughout the program to introduce these innovators to the wider energy network.

Get Involved: If you work within the energy sector and want to engage with this year's cohort, please reach out directly to [email protected].



Meet the 2026 Energy Scaleup Cohort

This year’s cohort features an international lineup of innovators headquartered across Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Belgium, Canada, and the UK.

FulcrumAir

FulcrumAir is the world leader in UAVs and robotic devices for the power line industry. Their purpose-built portfolio of power line construction UAVs and robots are eliminating hazards, reducing costs, and speeding up construction on electrical utility infrastructure projects around the world.

“At FulcrumAir, we’re focused on transforming how critical infrastructure is built and maintained by removing risk and increasing efficiency through advanced UAV and robotic technologies. We’re excited to be part of this cohort and collaborate with other pioneering companies to accelerate innovation across the energy sector."

Tim Page, General Manager, FulcrumAir Australia

Crest Robotics

Crest builds advanced robotic tools for the people who build the world. Empowering tradespeople across construction, energy, and space with machines that amplify human capability.

“Crest Robotics is leading the way in the deployment of robotics to drive safety and productivity in energy network operation, and we’re thrilled to join EnergyLab’s latest Scaleup cohort to expand our offering throughout Australia and beyond.”

Dr. Clyde Webster, Founding Director, Crest Robotics

ZeroParallax

Zero Parallax is a deep-tech company focused on industrial sensing, thermal optics, visual intelligence, and preventive maintenance.

"The EnergyLab Scaleup Program is a fast-track to engaging with the industry leaders who are shaping one of the most profound grid transformations globally. At ZeroParallax, we are building an asset health tracker powered by next-generation thermal intelligence, helping utilities address the challenges of rapid renewable integration, aging infrastructure, and grid stability. We are thrilled to be working directly with program partners to validate and deploy our solution and support Australia's energy transition."

Vygantas Kirejevas, Founding Partner & CEO, Zero Parallax Technologies

Trendspek

From digital inspections to maintenance planning, Trendspek's 3D system is built for condition, risk and capital decisions.

"We've seen firsthand the impact that complete, connected asset records have on risk reduction and capital decisions in the energy sector. Joining EnergyLab gives us the opportunity to bring that to Australia's power networks, where the need for a shared system of record across inspection, maintenance, and capital planning is only growing. We're looking forward to working with the programme's partners to help them better manage critical infrastructure across their networks."

Derek Feebrey, CEO, Trendspek

Syncrowin

Syncrowin is an autonomous Industrial AI platform for renewable energy and manufacturing operations. Syncrowin's AI-driven operational intelligence systems continuously think, adapt, and act alongside industrial operations in real time through a living network of specialised AI decision-makers.

"We're excited to join EnergyLab's Scaleup Program as we accelerate the deployment of Syncrowin's AI systems that help operators optimise performance, improve reliability, and unlock greater value from critical infrastructure. EnergyLab's network and expertise make it an ideal partner as we scale our impact across Australia and globally."

Aisshwarya Kansakaar (Ash), Co-Founder & CEO, Syncrowin



Factor

Factor replaces complex manual spreadsheets with an AI pricing and forecasting engine built for energy teams to easily model and launch complex commercial contracts, VPPs, and battery tariffs.

"Being part of EnergyLab will give us a focused opportunity to exchange ideas with industry experts and other EnergyTech founders. That input helps us prioritise and refine what we build, so we're solving the right problems, not just building software."

Jessia Venning-Bryan, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Factor

Third Equation

Third Equation is an energy technology company that develops the NEx (Network Exchanger), a power quality and voltage management device designed for low-voltage electricity distribution networks.

“ Third Equation is excited to be part of the EnergyLab Scaleup program. We hope to learn a great deal more about the clean energy market in Australia and the applicability of our Network Exchanger smart transformer technology to increasing the electricity grid capacity, and working with like minded participants in this cohort”

Greg Dujon, CEO, Third Equation

Assetcool

AssetCool meets rising electricity demand by enhancing existing and new transmission lines capacity without costly rebuilds or multi-year delays.

"We believe that Australia is an amazing market for AssetCool to grow into, due to both the size and the complexity of its grid system. We are proud to take part in the EnergyLab Scaleup program and to meet new partners as we work together to further increase the capacity of the NEM."

Eshel Lipman, VP Business & Corporate Development, AssetCool



Continuum Industries

Continuum Industries helps grid system planners identify which network options are buildable — with realistic timelines and costs.

"Australia has committed to one of the fastest grid build-outs anywhere. But that ambition creates real cost and resource pressure. Utilities across North America and Europe have been delivering excellent results by de-risking permitting and development early through our Optioneer platform, so we are excited to bring this new approach to Australia as well. EnergyLab has put together a fantastic programme for utilities and technology companies to work together, and we look forward to being part of it."

Grzegorz Marecki, CEO, Continuum Industries

Gridbrid

Gridbrid provides a platform where key decision makers can simulate thousands of technical, financial, and economic scenarios in one click, enabling developers, investors, and industrial consumers to make faster, data-driven decisions for profitable energy projects.

"Australia is demonstrating global leadership in the energy transition, and we believe innovative digital tools will play an essential role in enabling the next phase of growth. By collaborating with EnergyLab and the broader Australian energy ecosystem, we hope to help organizations make faster, better-informed decisions that unlock new renewable capacity and strengthen grid resilience at scale."

Karina Yamamoto, Co-founder and CEO, Gridbrid


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