Thirteen of the world's most promising late-stage clean energy startups are set to unlock growth and partnership opportunities after we announced our inaugural Scaleup Program cohort today.
Built specifically to help accelerate high-impact clean energy startups in Australia and overseas, EnergyLab's Scaleup Program will facilitate collaboration between fast-growing cleantech companies, energy utilities and other partner organisations. The program is backed by key energy stakeholders including the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), APA, Westpac, Powerlink, CS Energy, FRV, Counties Power, Nectr, Yurika and the International Microgrid Association.
The thirteen companies selected to participate in the program have all demonstrated significant potential to develop and deploy technologies needed for the transition to 100 percent renewable energy. From hydrogen fuel cells to software for asset management and demand forecasting, their cleantech innovations were highlighted at a Scaleup Program launch event on September 4.
With the program now officially launched, each participating company begins a curated five-month journey to accelerate their growth through mentoring, access to advisors and facilitated collaboration and investment opportunities. Boosting the companies' commercialisation capacity will be a key focus, with EnergyLab leveraging its expertise and network to help make strategic connections between startups and energy industry leaders, laying a critical foundation for impactful - and mutually beneficial - commercialisation pathways.
Participating companies also gain access to legal and business support from EnergyLab partners Aperion Law and KPMG, respectively, enabling them to put their best foot forward as partnership opportunities arise.
EnergyLab CEO James Tilbury said in a statement, "We're optimistic about the potential impact our Scaleup Program will have. All the participants are high-quality companies positioned for growth, with strong strategic alignment with our partners. This, combined with our partners' genuine commitment to innovate and collaborate, creates the perfect framework for rolling out new energy technologies."
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said: "It's fantastic to see EnergyLab supporting 13 startups and companies in fast tracking their renewable energy technologies. Startups and entrepreneurs play a big part in developing and introducing new technologies that continue to make Australia one of the world leaders in renewable energy technology innovation.
We're also aware that startups can encounter many challenges when attempting to bring an idea to market and bridge the gap to commerciality, which is why EnergyLab's scaleup program is so important going forward."
In addition to the program's mentoring and business development benefits, participants will gain access to a uniquely global network within their cohort. A large number of international applications were received for the program, making it no surprise to see three overseas companies selected: hydrogen infrastructure specialist Hiringa Energy (New Zealand-based), demand forecasting company Amperon (USA-based) and utility data service UtilityAPI (also USA-based).
Hannah McCaughey, APA's Group Executive Transformation and Technology is enthusiastic about the benefit the program will deliver for the organisation: "The Scaleup Program provided APA a very efficient way to access a broad range of companies and innovative ideas. This is another great example of collaboration which will unlock potential for the industry and Australia." McCaughey said.
Each of the thirteen startups selected to join EnergyLab's 2020 Scaleup Program cohort are listed below:
- Amperon (US) - Combines machine learning with deep energy and meteorology expertise to provide energy suppliers with best in class electricity demand forecasts.
- Aurtra - Assess, analyse and act to maximise transformer life with Aurtra HealthSense.
- Evergen - Evergen is a renewable energy software business that enables smarter energy by optimising energy storage systems and orchestrating large fleets of batteries to enable Virtual Power Plants. This ensures a resilient and decentralised energy system of the future and drives benefits for consumers, businesses, network operators and utilities.
- Everty - Provides a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) platform to companies installing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that enables them to monitor, manage and monetise their assets.
- Gridcognition - Planning and optimisation of distributed energy systems.
- Hiringa Energy (NZ) - Developing commercial scale green hydrogen projects.
- Infravision - Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Power Line Construction.
- MGA Thermal - Clean, economical and scalable thermal energy storage with a novel material, to convert retiring thermal power stations into grid scale renewable energy storage facilities.
- Powerpal - Connects your electricity meter to your smartphone and wirelessly tracks (in real time!) exactly how your home is using energy.
- Renewable Energy Hub - A clean energy marketplace and analytics platform supporting transactions by generators, energy retailers and customers in order to scale the uptake of renewable energy.
- UPowr - A digital platform redefining the solar and battery experience for households.
- Utility API (US) - UtilityAPI provides easy, secure, functional access to energy data.
- Zenogen - Zenogen is bringing a complete hydrogen ecosystem from hydrogen production to mobility to communities and businesses.
A recording from EnergyLab's Scaleup Program 2020 launch event is now available to view on YouTube. If you would like to connect with one of the startups from the Energylab program, get in touch.
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