Calling all aspiring founders with an ambitious idea
EnergyLab’s Climate Tech Ignite program connects aspiring entrepreneurs and talented founders with the resources and mentorship they need to develop a startup idea, craft an impactful value proposition, and launch a startup. Paving your path for success, you’ll also join Australia’s largest network of climate tech entrepreneurs and investors.
Key dates
- Applications open: 20 November 2023
- Interviews: 15 January 2024
- Program runs: 12 February 2024
Meet some of our alumni
EnergyLab's previous idea-stage program, CleanTech20 supported some incredible entrepreneurs at the start of their journey.
Katelyn Prendiville (Co-Founder & CEO, SeedCulture)
Bob Criner (Co-Founder & CEO, Stralis Aircraft)
Jarman Stephens (Co-Founder, gridmo)
Why take the leap with us?
When you join our community, we’ll provide you with the resources and mentorship you need to build your capacity as an entrepreneur. Here’s what’s on offer.
Learn the foundations of entrepreneurship
What does it take to start a startup? We’ll show you the different stages of the entrepreneurial journey, and guide you through the first one - coming up with a good idea.
Understand the opportunities in Climate Tech
You’ll learn about the climate tech sector, trends, successful startups and where opportunities lie in efforts to reach net zero.
Brainstorm impactful ideas
We’ll workshop startup ideas with you and share some useful methods for picking the best ideas to pursue.
Hone in on the problem you’re aiming to solve
You have an idea of a problem you want to solve - we’ll support you to collect valuable information, and test your assumptions.
Explore an idea that creates meaningful value
We’ll help you understand how your startup idea creates value, and for whom. We’ll share methods of learning about your potential customer’s needs, and how to go about validating your idea.
Thrive with dedicated mentorship
You’ll receive personalised support from EnergyLab’s network of over 300 mentors spanning professionals and founders striving towards reaching net-zero and with expertise in leadership, management, operations and more.
Community for life
EnergyLab is a vibrant community of climate tech startups, investors and ecosystem supporters.
A path forward
EnergyLab’s portfolio of programs span every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, supporting you with the expertise and networks you need to reach every growth milestone.
Program mentors and presenters
To be announced - keep an eye on this space!
Program structure
This 7-week program will spark your first step to becoming an entrepreneur and launching a startup. One module is delivered each week, and you’ll spend a maximum of 3 hours in workshops and diving into at-home work per module.
Program kick-off
Next cohort TBC
You'll start the program by getting to know the other participants in the program, the mentors and the wider EnergyLab community.
Module 1: The entrepreneurial journey & ideation
Next cohort TBC
We’ll start by exploring what an entrepreneurial journey typically looks like, and start brainstorming startup ideas.
Module 2: Climate tech landscape & key themes
Next cohort TBC
We’ll dive into climate tech themes to guide ideation, and get you thinking about which sector/s you’re interested in.
Module 3: Startup opportunities & picking ideas
Next cohort TBC
We’ll highlight trends and opportunities in climate tech, and select a business idea to unpack further.
Module 4: Validate your problem: Customer research
Next cohort TBC
We’ll explore how to learn about your market, and you’ll be introduced to some customer research tools to filter your best ideas, test assumptions, and refine your idea.
Module 5: Crafting a value proposition
Next cohort TBC
You’ll begin to craft your impactful value proposition based on customer feedback.
Module 6: Steps to launching a startup
Next cohort TBC
Time to launch! We’ll wrap up by looking at the key next steps to turning your idea into a business.
Program cost
The program costs $990 (including GST).
We're a non-profit organisation and your contribution goes towards program delivery costs. The price includes:
- 7 weeks of workshops, panel discussions and Q&As
- Frameworks and course content you can keep and use again
- 1-1 startup mentoring from one of our exceptional mentors (2 one-hour sessions)
- Individual check-ins with our Ignite Program Lead
If you're not happy with the program, email us within a month of graduating and we'll give you your money back, no questions asked.
Testimonials
“ The [program] was a great opportunity to work with like minded people who are enthusiastic and passionate about changing the energy industry while providing clear tools, pathways and industry contacts to turn ideas into action. If you want to energise your idea and turn it into a startup then this program is for you. ”
Manager Customer, Market and Metering Platform, Energy Queensland
“ Founding a start-up is hard - I found the program really helped to simplify the key steps and options available when founding a start-up. Providing tools and valuable insights from lessons learned to help you along the way… ”
Graduate, CleanTech20 2021
“ The program was a fantastic immersion in the world of cleantech, providing a sound foundation on this vital area. It was highly informative, a great way to connect with a like-minded community, and a lot of fun. ”
National Executive Creative Director, Experience, CHEP Network
Selection criteria
We want to provide the right value for you. We’re looking for ambitious aspiring founders with these qualities:
Skill
Do you have problem-solving capabilities or a specific skill/experience that you can leverage to create a unique offering?
Spirit
Are you ambitious, comfortable with ambiguity and not afraid to take calculated risks?
Hustle
Do you have the tenacity and determination to achieve ambitious goals? Could you convince someone to trial your product for the first time?
FAQs
Climate tech: Technologies that are explicitly focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions or addressing the impacts of climate change. Climate tech applications can be broadly categorised into 3 groups, those that:
1) directly mitigate or remove emissions,
2) help us adapt to the impacts of climate change, and
3) enhance our understanding of the climate.
Not at all. Having a diversity of experience in the cohort makes for rich conversation and learning experiences. All you need is an interest in climate and energy entrepreneurship.
No. The aim of this program is to give you the know-how, tools and confidence to take your first steps into the entrepreneurial path. If you already have a startup idea, that's a bonus!
The program is delivered entirely virtually, over Zoom. You can dial in from anywhere.
There are 20 spots in each cohort. Participants are selected based on the program criteria.
About 24 hours in total over 7 weeks.
The program kicks off on 27 July with a welcome call at 17:00 - 18:30 AEST.
From 31 July - 9 September 2023, you’ll have weekly workshops every Tuesday and Thursday from 17:00 - 18:30 AEST.
Additionally, you’ll have 2 one-hour mentorship sessions, and to make the most of the program, you’ll be required to do a few hours of work in your own time.
Please email [email protected] if you have any other questions.