Eleven ambitious Queensland climate tech startups have been selected for Cohort 2 of EnergyLab’s new Investment Ready Program, 12 weeks dedicated to mastering the many challenges of raising capital.
“In a challenging fundraising environment we’ve seen founders increasingly recognise that a more sophisticated approach to capital raising is needed. As a result, there’s been more focus in the startup ecosystem on investment readiness, moving beyond pitch prepping to a much more granular focus on how to tackle the many challenges of raising capital.”
“When founders understand investment criteria and processes, know what questions to ask during reverse DD, and what to look out for in a term sheet, the traditional power imbalance between investors and founders becomes more evened out. Overall, we’re hoping to see due diligence streamlined for both parties, less time spent raising, more rounds closed, and ultimately, startups having more impact.” - Audun Fiskerud, Program Lead, EnergyLab
Cut Through Venture’s State of Australian Startup Funding Report 2024 revealed climate tech / clean tech as the #1 sector in terms of number of funding deals last year, and #2 in terms of total funding at $609 million. A staggering $147 million (25%) of the total climate tech / clean tech investment figure was raised by EnergyLab alumni companies.
"The Queensland climate tech startup ecosystem is rapidly evolving, and EnergyLab is proud to play a pivotal role as the Sunshine State continues its transformation into a leading startup hub. At EnergyLab, we are committed to empowering climate tech founders by enhancing their fundraising capabilities. This allows them to secure investments efficiently and return their focus to what truly matters: tackling the challenges that bring us closer to achieving net-zero emissions." - Megan Fisher, CEO, EnergyLab
The Investment Ready Program is backed by the QIC-managed Venture Capital Development Fund (VCDF) and equips startups with the right tools and know-how to navigate the entire fundraising process, with a range of climate tech investors and other experts guiding the founders towards choosing the right funding pathway, articulating the opportunity to resonate with investors, developing a clear path to growth and impact, understanding term sheet red flags, nailing the pitch, and ultimately closing the deal! After 10 weeks of workshops the startups are set up with a range of 1:1 meetings with investors to build relationships and get personalised feedback. The program culminates on 1 May 2025 with the Decarb Pitch Fest at The Precinct in Brisbane, where the startups will pitch in front of a panel of investors and the wider Queensland ecosystem.
Cohort 2 of the Investment Ready Program
The startups in Cohort 2 operate in a variety of sectors and are all solving important problems contributing to decarbonisation. Many of the startups are in market with paying customers, and all cohort founders are currently preparing for their next round of funding.
Bitpool (Ben Carter & David Blanch) is a Building Intelligence Platform optimising clients’ performance, cutting their costs, and reducing their carbon footprint.
Gate 46 (Joshua Savage & Damien Stone) provides waste-to-energy technologies and sustainable agricultural practices for dairy farms.
Genevo Marine (Damon Rahmate & Andrew Davey) is on the path to become Australia’s first fully electric production speed-boat and drive train.
InfigoLabs (Prashant Parulekar) uses zero-emission high temperature flame of steam to create value in high-yield, coke-free ethylene production and to complete PFAS (forever chemicals) destruction.
Methane Intel (Geoff Osborn) provides integrated satellite and sensor-based site methane reporting for coal, gas, landfill, and feedlot industries.
Ocean Orchards (Adrian Spierings & Anna Hendra) turns pond slime into a high value cosmetic extract, a tasteless plant-based protein powder, and carbon negative concrete. All at the same time.
RegenX (Ishan Dan) is a tokenised investment platform helping impact investors access verified green projects with transparency and trust.
Sequestra (Warwick Anderson & Sheree Anderson) creates carbon credits through self-sustaining ecosystems that regenerate land, improves soil health, and drive economic value.
Squirrel Energy (Joris Eerkens) is a vertically integrated developer, builder, and operator of sub-5 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a focus on AI-driven energy trading.
Swapping Chain (Nic Robertson) is an algorithm-driven swapping platform unlocking the hidden value in dormant goods.
Tera (Lachlan Jeremijenko & Rochelle Caron) provides a hardware solution that transforms CO2 emissions from existing industrial processes into useful carbon products.
The next cohort of the Investment Ready Program kicks off in August 2025, with recruitment starting in May 2025. Register your expression of interest here.
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