Calling the most ambitious climate tech founders

The Climate Solutions Accelerator is EnergyLab's flagship program and provides the best climate tech startups with all the support they need to reach their potential. Open to startups at all stages, this program is for entrepreneurs looking to deploy solutions that mitigate climate change at scale. That could be alternative protein, carbon sequestration, renewable energy or anything in between. We’ll invest $80-100k and introduce you to Australia's most active climate tech investors. We'll also help you expand your business by connecting you to our extensive network in Australia and overseas. Though what you'll enjoy most is being welcomed into an exclusive and supportive community of some of the world's most talented climate tech founders.

Key dates

  • Applications open: 22 January - 17 March 2024
  • First round interviews: 15 April - 3 May 2024
  • Second round interviews: 20 - 31 May 2024
  • Program runs: 29 July - 13 December 2024

Receive the support you need to succeed

When you join our accelerator we take on the role of active advisors and will do everything we can to support you. Here is a taste of what we offer.

Investment

You will be offered ~A$80,000-100,000 of investment at your latest post-money valuation.

Introduction to investors

We'll introduce you to the most active climate tech and energy sector investors in Australia.

Exposure to over 300 mentors

EnergyLab has an extensive network of mentors from a wide range of backgrounds, such as energy companies, government departments, investment institutions and successful startups.

Guidance from our leadership team

You will have a direct line to our Chair and CEO, who have each advised dozens of clean tech startups and have extensive personal networks. They'll be available to provide advice and introductions from when you start the program to when you exit your business.

Legal and accounting assistance

Worried about asking a lawyer or accountant a question and receiving a $1,000 bill in the mail? Worry no more. Whilst in the program, you can talk to someone from FCW Lawyers or KPMG at no cost.

Guided learning to fuel growth

Throughout the program, EnergyLab will run a series of sprints focussed on areas such as international expansion, capital raising and industry partnerships.

Meet our Innovation Partners

During the program you will have the opportunity to meet representatives from each of the organisations below to explore opportunities to work together to deploy your low carbon solutions.

Program structure

The program revolves around five modules spread evenly throughout the schedule.

Kick-off

29 July - 9 August 2024

Introductions to the cohort, investors, alumni and wider community.

Sales & Partnerships

9 - 20 September 2024

Introductions to industry partners and workshops on how to secure partnerships with large corporates and utilities.

International Expansion

14 - 25 October 2024

Workshops on overseas expansion strategy and introductions to our contacts who can help you execute on your growth plans.

Capital raising

11 - 22 November 2024

Training and feedback on pitching before being introduced to Australia’s most active climate tech and energy sector investors.

Graduation

9 - 13 December 2024

Wrap-up events to showcase all you’ve achieved in the program, including a public event to further raise your profile.

Cost

The program is completely free but participation is contingent on accepting an offer of investment from our angel group at the post-money valuation of your last priced round. If you are yet to raise a priced round we'll invest at a pre-money valuation of A$1,000,000.

Hear from our alumni

EnergyLab's Climate Solutions Accelerator has been such a wonderful experience and I’ve learnt much. You've provided our company with really targeted introductions and I truly appreciate the heartfelt welcome into the EnergyLab ecosystem. I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the EnergyLab team and fellow founders. I'm looking forward to continuing our journey together.

EnergyLab was a great experience overall. This includes the programme itself, the mentors, the topics; everything was relevant and very beneficial. However, the best experience was connecting with other like-minded founders, some at later stages of the journey, some at earlier stages. For us, the interactions with these founders were as helpful as the advice from the experienced mentors. EnergyLab was transformational for Allegro Energy...

The EnergyLab accelerator has supported Bloom to go from MVP stage to launch and was a wonderful support throughout our capital raise. The program is not your basic startup program. The content is focused on helping you grow, find the right partners and business strategies. From start to finish, the program was well organised and each session brought us value. We have particularly appreciated the support of EnergyLab's genuine network of mentors, investors and industry professionals.

Our experience of the EnergyLab Climate Solutions Accelerator program was fantastic. The program was highly choreographed with Adam and the EnergyLab team investing a lot of time considering the right content and speakers for our cohort to accelerate our learning. I'd highly recommend this program to any energy or climate tech startup.

EnergyLab's Climate Solutions Accelerator is a really good program with the right mix of learning, discussion, coaching and networking. I strongly recommend it!

The EnergyLab community has always been incredibly supportive - they are there to help when things are tough, and celebrate when things are great.

EnergyLab is staffed by smart people, they are growing rapidly and they have an extensive network of contacts. If you are a clean-tech startup founder and are looking to scale it don't go anywhere else!

EnergyLab's network of companies, mentors and staff is the best way to learn more about the Australian energy market while expanding your business!

The application process

Applying is easy. Simply fill in an application form and attend a couple of interviews.

Applications open

22 January 2024

The first step in the application process is to complete an online application form. Submit an expression of interest and we'll let you know when applications open for the next intake.

First round interviews

Begin 15 April 2024

Meet the EnergyLab team to discuss your application and how we can support your business. Interviews will be 20 minutes long and held online via Zoom.

Second round interviews

Begin 20 May 2024

Those who make it to the final round will be invited to pitch to the accelerator fund investors. These investors will vote on who to accept into the program.

Selection criteria

This is what we're looking for in successful applications but we're open-minded to high quality applicants who don't fit the mould. We're particularly interested in applications from women and minority groups.

Fast growth

Your business has to be ready to grow fast. We don't mind if your end goal is a unicorn exit or a profitable medium-sized business you continue to operate - as long as you can get there quickly. That probably means your solution is ready to deploy, you've completed customer validation and are ready to work on your business full time if you're not already. Consultancies and local business are unlikely to pass this test.

Address climate change

Your product or service has to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions or address the impacts of climate change, or enable others to do so. This includes a range of solutions including renewable energy, sustainable transport, alternative protein, carbon sequestration and land management. We will also consider startups that help address other environmental issues such as waste and biodiversity.

We can help

We aim to increase the growth rate of climate tech startups and decrease their failure rate. We believe we can support any startup but that requires founders who are looking to expand their network, have their ideas challenged, and learn from their peers.

FAQs

You can participate in the program from anywhere in the Pacific Rim region. However, please note that most program activities will be run from 10am to 2pm Sydney time.

Possibly! We take a very broad view of climate tech and include any technology that is required to decarbonise the economy. Please email us and we'll tell you for sure.

No, we are happy to receive applications from solo founders.

We get it - you have limited time and need to prioritise. Head here to fill in a pre-application form. We'll get back to you when applications open to let you know if we think the program is a good fit and it's worth you submitting a full application.

Probably. This program is for startups ready for fast growth. If you haven't quit your day job yet then one of our membership offerings will probably suit you better.

Yes, the program comes with equity investment of ~A$80-100k.

The post-money valuation of your latest priced round. If you haven't raised a priced round yet then we'll invest at a pre-money valuation of A$1,000,000.

Please email [email protected] if you have any other questions.