EnergyLab welcomes 4 new startups to its acceleration program to fast track Australia's clean energy transition. The startups were selected nationally with ideas spanning from bioenergy to energy efficiency and solar asset management services for Commercial and Industrial buildings to drones that monitor renewable energy assets.
"After spending the last year promoting the opportunities at the intersection of the building and energy sectors we're excited to see so many great smart building startups in this cohort" says EnergyLab CEO, James Tilbury. "We're also looking forward to working with the Queensland Government to support Seed 2 Diesel, our third bioenergy startup in Brisbane."
Starting on October 17th in Brisbane, the entrepreneurs will receive training, connections to a large network of investors and mentors, key corporate and public partners, and assistance in raising capital. A range of additional support will be offered throughout the program, including access to EnergyLab's national network of over 250 mentors, accounting assistance delivered by KPMG and legal advice from Aperion Law, and strategy sessions with EnergyLab's Chief Entrepreneur.
"The diversity and quality of entrepreneurs entering this industry continues to excite and challenge us. We are delighted by the new cohort and see plenty of potential in each and every business." says EnergyLab Chair & Chief Entrepreneur, Piers Grove.
An intake with a mix of senior professionals and promising young entrepreneurs
This intake's four startups are very versatile not just in the sectors represented but also from a founder's perspective. EnergyLab is welcoming senior professionals, experts in their field such as Perth-based Amotus' team co-founder Christopher Haikings. Expert in refrigeration & thermal technologies, Christopher will start his startup journey and launch Amotus with no less than 17 years of experience acquired through service with the British Army as a Commando in the Royal Engineers based in Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as with mechanical and technical experience from working as a civilian on similar large projects in the UK and Australia. In partnership with his co-founders Mitchell Fraser and Sam Laurie, Christopher will leverage the power of unmanned aerial systems, high-resolution imaging, and infrared thermography to deliver fast and actionable asset inspection data for the renewables industry.
The Acceleration Program will also assist promising young entrepreneurs such as Iain Stewart, Founder of Exergenics, launching a solutionleveraging machine learning to improve commercial building air conditioning equipment's energy efficiency. With the financial support of the Queensland Government and Origin Energy, EnergyLab will be able to coach Iain and the four other entrepreneurs to develop and grow their business ideas.
"I joined the EnergyLab accelerator program to give Exergenics the best possible chance at rapid, sustainable growth in a difficult industry for startups. The program offers the right mix of structure and flexibility to allow me to gain the skills to run a successful business while continuing product development and gaining market traction. The coworking space provides the chance to work in an innovative environment alongside other businesses in the energy space. I was thrilled when offered a place in the program and excited by the opportunity to be joining an impressive cohort of businesses and extensive alumni network.
Throughout the program, I am hoping to absorb as much as possible from the network of mentors, brought together by EnergyLab. I am confident this will enable Exergenics to hit the ground running with a product ready for market at the end of the program." says Exergenics founder Iain Stewart
Original startup ideas with bioenergy solutions for oilseed growers
The Acceleration Program will also back ingenious clean energy generation ideas such as Toowoomba-based startup 'Seed to Diesel', who provides a service to oilseed growers to allow them to become fuel self-sufficient.
"With the help of EnergyLab's coaching and mentor programs and connections into networks of investors and government contacts, I'm looking forward to the implementation of my business concept to deliver economic gains and energy independence to the rural community, while developing renewable energy resources." said Johnny Wapstra, Seed to Diesel Founder
The 4 startups in the 2019 EnergyLab 6th intake are:
- Amotus: Specialising in delivering fast, actionable asset inspection data for the renewables industry. Leverages the power of unmanned aerial systems, high resolution imaging and infrared thermography. (Perth)
- Exergenics: Improving the energy efficiency of commercial building air conditioning equipment using improved control strategies developed using 'digital twins' and machine learning, saving customers money on direct energy costs and increasing building value. (Melbourne)
- Seed 2 Diesel: Service to oilseed growers to get them fuel self-sufficient. (Toowoomba)
- Tenon Energy: Independent Asset Management services for owners of Commercial & Industrial (C&I) solar and storage systems. Providing systems performance control & optimisation Tenon Energy maximises the owner's ROI. (Gold Coast)
If you would like to connect with one of the startups from the Energylab program, contact us at [email protected]. Our next accelerator program will start in February 2020 and is now open for applications until November 7.
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