Ampol, Australia and New Zealand’s leading transport energy distributor, has formed a partnership with EnergyLab, Australia and New Zealand's largest climate tech startup accelerator and innovation network.
As an EnergyLab partner, Ampol will provide funding and expertise to support EnergyLab’s Women in Climate and Energy Fellowship (WICEF). Designed to inspire, educate and support more women to launch climate tech startups, the Fellowship aims to create a defined pathway for women entrepreneurs by providing the knowledge, mentorship and access to investment networks needed for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Fellowship has been running since 2019 and has seen over 70 women successfully graduate from the program.
From one successful graduate, Annalise Kerr: “The WICEF experience is not a superficial networking opportunity. It's a community of passionate women who want to go against the grain, pursue entrepreneurship, inspire, and be inspired. This experience has not only exposed me to the initial steps for developing a startup but has empowered me with the confidence to actively pursue my ideas and support the global transition to a zero-carbon world.”
Brent Merrick, Ampol Executive General Manager, International and New Business, said the partnership forms part of Ampol’s future energy and decarbonisation strategies and aligns with its diversity and inclusion objectives.
“We’re proud to support EnergyLab’s Women in Climate and Energy Fellowship to help provide the mentorship and support required to make climate tech start-ups successful, and to help address gender equity challenges in the sector.
“Following the release of our future energy and decarbonisation strategies, we’re focused on leveraging our strengths to extend our customer value proposition and target new opportunities in electricity, hydrogen, biofuels and carbon mitigation to support Australia’s transition to a low carbon economy. We also recently announced a commitment to invest NZ$50 million to support New Zealand’s energy transition following our acquisition of Z Energy, New Zealand’s leading transport fuels provider.
“We recognise the significant investment required for Australia and New Zealand to make the transition successful, as well as how the innovation, ambition, thought leadership and passion of entrepreneurs will be critical to success.
“We look forward to working with EnergyLab to support the success of women clean tech entrepreneurs in the years ahead.”
Megan Fisher, EnergyLab’s CEO, confirmed the importance of the partnership: “EnergyLab is committed to promoting and supporting gender equality in the climate tech sector. With less than 20% of climate tech startups being founded by women, there is more focus required on this issue. We thank Ampol for their sponsorship and appreciate the shared commitment to support the next generation of women founders through our Women in Climate and Energy Fellowship.”
Applications for the 2022 Fellowship intake are open now.
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