A new initiative supporting the world's biggest lithium producer to become a hub for battery technology innovation
Supercharge Australia will develop an ecosystem to support lithium battery innovation and capture more value from the lithium battery supply chain. Backed by Boundless, it is the first initiative of the recently announced partnership between global clean energy startup accelerator New Energy Nexus, and Australia and New Zealand’s largest climate tech startup accelerator EnergyLab.
Partners and Supporters
The problem we're solving
The global clean energy transition will be driven in a large part by batteries.
Fact
Despite producing almost 60% of the world’s lithium, Australia retains less than 1% of the US$200 billion and rising annual product value, with 98% of the lithium mined in Australia being refined overseas.
More can be achieved
Australia can do more than “dig and ship” lithium: it can be a leader in lithium battery technology, from extraction to advanced battery and EV manufacturing.
With benefits for the climate
This is good news for the global climate, but also for the thousands of jobs that will be created in the process.
The Plan
We need much more activity across all phases of the lithium battery value chain, which requires more investment and more startups to meet the innovation challenge. EnergyLab and its international partner, New Energy Nexus, are perfectly positioned to connect startups and players in the lithium battery value chain with international partners and expertise.
Accelerate
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Incubating and developing startups in the lithium battery value chain. The inaugural Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge was run in early 2023. Check out the startup cohort here.
Connect
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Bringing the industry together to understand where innovation is required. This includes leveraging New Energy Nexus’ global expertise, and its role in the US Department of Energy’s Lithium Bridge project to accelerate the development of a domestic supply
International Expansion
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Building the profile of lithium battery startups and connecting them with international markets, especially in the USA
Key Contacts
“ EnergyLab has supported startups focused on clean energy and climate tech since 2017, Supercharge Australia means we can provide support and focus on the startups innovating in the lithium battery value chain. Australia is well positioned to capture the full value of the battery and electrification revolution. If you’re an aspiring founder, a startup, an investor, an expert, an industry player in this space and want to see growth supercharged then get involved ”
CEO, EnergyLab
“ We call all Australian startups along the lithium battery value chain to massively grow Australia and the world’s most carbon-efficient and cost-effective lithium battery industry. If Australia can produce more throughout the lithium battery value chain, faster, cheaper, better, then that’s good news for the global climate, and Australia’s economy ”
CEO, New Energy Nexus
“ Australia can become a leader in lithium battery technology, from sourcing to advanced battery and EV manufacturing, and capture massive market opportunities as the world electrifies. But to do this, we need much more activity across all phases of the lithium battery value chain, and this requires more investment and more startups to meet the innovation challenge ”
Project Manager for Supercharge Australia, New Energy Nexus