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Pakistan

Built Environment

Climate entrepreneurs are powering Pakistan’s solar momentum – here’s how

August 20, 2025

Pakistan is experiencing a solar boom unlike any other. In just the first half of 2024, the country imported over 13 GW of solar panels – more than the total installed capacity of some entire countries (The Great Solar Rush in Pakistan, 2024). This unprecedented growth could push it ahead of its 2030 renewable energy targets years in advance.

The impact is already rippling through communities: farmers are swapping diesel pumps for solar-powered tubewells, industries are securing their own reliable power, and families are reducing their reliance on an overstretched grid. Clean energy is reshaping daily life, and climate entrepreneurship is multiplying its benefits across the country.

From waste-to-energy ventures in Karachi to e-mobility startups in Lahore, Pakistan’s climate innovators are finding practical solutions to real problems. But without stronger support systems, many promising ideas struggle to scale.

From left: Zeeshan Ashfaq, CEO of Renewables First, and Stanley Ng, Global Partnerships Director at New Energy Nexus

That’s why New Energy Nexus has partnered with Renewables First to launch Climate Innovation Pakistan (CLIP): a national platform designed to empower entrepreneurs, develop a skilled workforce, and shape policies that unlock clean energy innovation for the long run.

Through CLIP, we’re building the kind of ecosystem that helps climate entrepreneurs move from idea to impact:

CLIP Incubator – Turning early-stage ideas into market-ready solutions.
New Energy Academy – Training the solar workforce powering Pakistan’s transition.
ThinkLab – Publishing actionable insights on what’s working or not in Pakistan’s climate innovation landscape, informing smarter policy and investment decisions.

CLIP Incubator: From idea to traction

Inside the CLIP Incubator, founders spend 12 weeks transforming their vision into traction. The program helps them validate products, test solutions with real customers, and refine their go-to-market strategies.

With guidance from mentors who have built and scaled in challenging markets, startups gain not only technical advice but also access to pilots, partnerships, and investors across Pakistan’s growing climate ecosystem.

The Clip Incubator journey. Photo from Climate Innovation Pakistan

This is a space designed for entrepreneurs who want to move faster, smarter, and stronger – without giving up equity, and with support tailored to Pakistan’s realities. Learn more and apply here.

New Energy Academy: Building the solar workforce

Pakistan’s solar boom cannot succeed without skilled workers ready to deliver it. That’s why CLIP is launching the New Energy Academy: Solar Fundamentals Training in Islamabad this September.

Developed by New Energy Nexus, GSES Global Sustainable Energy Solutions, and OpenSolar, and implemented in collaboration with Renewables First and the Pakistan Solar Association, the program blends online and in-person learning to train young people for jobs in installation and maintenance. Participants will gain hands-on skills, mentorship, and connections with employers in a sector that’s growing faster than ever.

By preparing the next generation of solar professionals, the Academy ensures Pakistan’s clean energy transition is powered by people as well as panels. Find out more and sign up by August 22.

A solar installation in Karachi, Pakistan. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, User: Crosji

Breaking down barriers

Pakistan is one of the world’s most populous countries and one of the most climate-vulnerable. At the same time, it holds enormous potential for clean energy to drive inclusive growth. Yet for many entrepreneurs, barriers to progress persist: limited financing, scarce data, and policy barriers.

CLIP aims to change that. By combining New Energy Nexus’s global expertise in building startup ecosystems with Renewables First’s deep local insights, the platform will help unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and communities alike.

At New Energy Nexus, we support diverse climate entrepreneurs worldwide, giving them the accelerators, funding, skills, and connections to thrive. Through CLIP, we’re expanding that mission in Pakistan, helping climate tech founders transform a historic solar rush into long-term impact for communities and industries across the country.

The path is clear: Build on this clean energy growth in Pakistan and carry it over to the rest of the world. Now it’s time to give innovators worldwide the tools to carry it further.

Ready to scale your own innovation? Check out our programs here.

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Built Environment

Youth

Clean energy’s momentum runs on youth innovation

August 12, 2025

Photo from New Energy Nexus Thailand

Across the globe, young people aren’t simply waiting for change: they make it happen. Under‑35 entrepreneurs are now two times more likely to run businesses with environmental or social missions compared to older founders. This surge in purpose-driven innovation comes as the renewable energy sector continues to grow, bringing massive opportunities for young people to shape its future.

According to the International Labour Organization, a fully embraced green transition could deliver up to 8.4 million jobs for youth worldwide.

Despite this projection, many young people in the Global South actually struggle to access clean energy careers, in part because of insufficient access to skills training. LinkedIn’s research shows that only 1 in 20 Gen Zs globally have the skills they need to tackle the climate crisis, compared to 1 in 8 of the wider workforce.

This gap between youth interest and actual readiness could slow down the clean energy sector’s momentum – but it could also be an opportunity.

Growing the youth clean energy pipeline

At New Energy Nexus, we recognize the urgency of closing this gap. That’s why we’re equipping young people around the world with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to step into the clean energy sector.

Here are five of our programs and joint initiatives doing just that:

Participants in the NEXGen program. Photo from New Energy Nexus Vietnam

The NEXGen – Vietnam

The NEXGen is building a strong pipeline of future clean energy leaders by enabling them to thrive in Vietnam’s clean energy transition. Designed for youth aged 18 to 30, it combines online learning, in-person mentorship, internships, and incubation to accelerate their success in the country’s growing clean energy sector. In 2024 alone, the NEXGen reached participants across 29 provinces, delivered over 100 hours of expert mentorship, and awarded 15 full scholarships to a regional climate conference.

Participants in the Youth Entrepreneurial Accelerator. Photo from New Energy Nexus California.

Youth Entrepreneurial Accelerator (YEA!) – California, U.S.

YEA! is California’s first program dedicated to preparing the next generation of clean energy innovators, with a focus on the Imperial Valley: a region brimming with entrepreneurial talent and home to one of the most promising lithium reserves in the U.S. Created in partnership with the Center for Social Innovation at UC Riverside, Imperial Valley College, and local workforce boards, the program connects students with clean energy career pathways and supports their growth within the emerging battery innovation economy. A key highlight is the Youth Innovation Summit, where hundreds of students met with energy experts, social impact leaders, and local startups to explore real opportunities in the clean energy space.

[RE]Power participants present their pitch during the energy policy ‘hackathon.’ Photo from New Energy Nexus Indonesia

[RE]Power – Indonesia

[RE]Power is Indonesia’s first youth-led clean energy policy hackathon, created to empower young people to take an active role in shaping national energy strategies. The program brings together university students and early-career professionals to co-develop solutions to real-world energy challenges. With guidance from industry mentors and support from government stakeholders, participants sharpen their policy knowledge and leadership skills. Finalists then present their proposals directly to decision-makers, giving youth not just a voice, but real influence in advancing Indonesia’s clean energy future.

Participants of Ready, Spark, Charge: Hacking the Future of Energy discuss the local clean energy challenges and solutions. Photo from New Energy Nexus Philippines

Ready, Spark, Charge – The Philippines

Ready, Spark, Charge: Hacking the Future of Energy is the Philippines’ first clean energy startup hackathon, created to address the gap in climate-focused innovation within the country’s growing startup ecosystem. The program brings together students, developers, and early-stage entrepreneurs to design solutions to real-world energy access challenges. With support from industry mentors, participants develop working prototypes and pitch their ideas to clean energy leaders, building a stronger pipeline for climate and energy innovation in the Philippines.

Photo from New Energy Nexus Vietnam

Youth Internship Pilot – Vietnam & Uganda

In Vietnam and Uganda, New Energy Nexus is piloting youth internship programs in partnership with Student Energy to give young people hands-on access to the clean energy sector. In Vietnam, students aged 12 to 24 take part in training, mentorship, and real internships with local startups. The program culminates in a national summit that recognizes standout interns. In Uganda, fellows support rural energy enterprises by contributing to business development and launching community-based solutions. Both pilots aim to turn early interest into tangible skills, strong networks, and clear career pathways in clean energy.

Building ecosystems for the next generation

At New Energy Nexus, we believe the clean energy shift needs a constant pipeline of fresh ideas and capable leadership. That’s why we don’t just train young people, we work to integrate them into the clean energy ecosystem itself. Over the past 20 years, we’ve supported more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide through 125 programs – and as we keep this up, we are looking to get more young people involved.

Because the clean energy transition won’t be won in boardrooms or labs alone; it will be driven by young innovators who are ready to build and scale the solutions we need.

We’ve seen it firsthand: young people are ready and eager to act. With the right support, they will shape the clean energy transition – and what comes after.

Want to get involved in clean energy innovation, in the Philippines and beyond? Check out our programs here.

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Indonesia

Built Environment

Rooted in reality: Kuantek’s community-driven climate solutions

August 7, 2025

In the vast and varied landscapes of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur or NTT), innovation doesn’t just mean new technology. It means survival. For many communities across this archipelagic province, daily life is shaped by scarcity: of water, electricity, and reliable infrastructure. But it’s also shaped by resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of adaptation.

This is where Kuantek, short for Kuan Timor Technology (Teknologi Kampung Timor), is planting its roots and building climate solutions that emerge not from abstract theory, but from the lived experiences of the people they aim to serve.

Co-founders Ben Vasco Tarigan, Abraham Talluta (CEO), and Abdi Nenotek (CTO) do not claim to have all the answers to NTT’s struggles. But they do have one thing that many technology companies overlook: they listen.

Kuantek Co-Founders: Abraham Talluta (CEO), Abdi Nenotek (CTO), and Ben Vasco Tarigan.

“We always ask our users: Apa yang paling menyakitkan? What’s the most painful part of your day?” says Ben. “We design our products from there.”

To Kuantek, listening isn’t just a design principle – it’s their business model.

Three years after its founding, Kuantek connected with New Energy Nexus Indonesia through the IKEA Foundation-funded Smart Energy Incubation Program and the [RE]Spark Hackathon. At the time, they had a clear target – addressing NTT’s lack of access to clean water. Their solution was to build an affordable seawater desalination system to produce drinkable water for coastal communities.

From this one idea, Kuantek kept evolving. They began developing a range of environmental technologies designed to address the needs of rural and remote populations, from preserving produce with little energy cost to making water out of air.

The three innovators weren’t siloed in labs. Instead, they co-created their products with the very communities that will reap the benefits. Each innovation started with a simple premise: Making life easier, using what the community already has.

The dehydrator that changed the game

One of Kuantek’s most talked-about products is their low-power dehydrator, a tool that’s now helping farmers in Timor dry and preserve chili and vanilla crops for longer shelf life and higher selling prices.

Getting dehydrators is a smart economic move for farmers. It allows farmers the option to dry and store fresh produce, instead of having to sell it quickly to avoid spoilage. This gives them more control over pricing and market timing.

However, commercial dehydrators often require up to 1000 watts to operate, and in rural areas such as those in Nusa Tenggara Timur, the power capacity per household only reaches up to 500 watts. That’s where Kuantek came in.

“We designed ours to run at just 270 watts,” says Ben. The secret is a combination of energy-efficient lighting systems and localized materials. “It’s not just about being energy-efficient. It’s about making sure people can actually use it.”

Kuantek’s low-watt food dehydrator

Harvesting water from thin air

Another of Kuantek’s solutions is a system that converts humidity from the atmosphere into potable water, using solar energy. This technology is particularly suited for some areas in NTT, where air humidity is high, but water sources are often inaccessible or unsafe.

Ben envisions installing these atmospheric water systems in schools and highland tourism areas, especially in places where groundwater is either unavailable or requires expensive and unsustainable drilling.

“We want to eliminate the need for groundwater wells in hard-to-reach areas,” he said. “Instead, let’s use what we already have: heat, air, and sunlight.”

In a pilot project, they installed a solar thermal-powered water station in a coastal village. Three months later, the local pastor reported something profound: for the first time, they had no trouble getting clean water. “That’s when we knew we were doing something right,” Ben said.

Solar-powered water harvesting system

Designing through constraint

While their ideas may be bold, implementation is often difficult, as NTT’s geography presents a host of logistical barriers.

Some islands can only be accessed by small boats that can’t carry heavy machinery. Roads are narrow, winding, and poorly maintained. In many villages, bridges don’t exist, and rivers swell during the rainy season, cutting off access altogether.

This makes even the most well-designed product a challenge to deliver. Kuantek had to rethink their seawater desalination system when they realized the original version was too large for local transport networks.

“So we redesigned the whole thing to be smaller, but with the same capacity,” Ben explains. “It wasn’t just about making it small, it was about making the technology mobile, modular, and manageable.”

A culture of listening

For Kuantek, the job doesn’t end at innovation. Often, it begins long before product design, and continues well beyond delivery.

Their team frequently plays the role of advocate, helping villages navigate complex systems like reporting power outages to PLN, the state-owned power company. They also introduce basic feedback mechanisms so that communities feel empowered to ask for improvements or raise concerns.

“Sometimes our work is as simple as showing people how to talk to PLN,” Ben said, laughing. “Other times, we’re advocating for completely new systems to be built.”

They are also aware of the challenges of behavior change. Many people in rural NTT have adapted to unreliable electricity and limited water access, often without realizing it. That makes introducing new technologies tricky.

“It’s incredibly difficult to ask someone to adopt new behaviors,” Abraham said. “So instead, we look at the things they’re already doing, and we design from there.”

This empathetic approach ensures that technologies don’t feel foreign or intrusive, but intuitive.

When it comes to criticism of their business, Ben sees it as very valuable insight. Rather than resisting feedback, they see it as an invitation to collaborate.

This philosophy has allowed Kuantek to keep improving, even with limited resources.

“Disagreements and pushback are something I see as gifts. When people tell us what’s wrong, they’re actually helping us make the product fit better,” he reflects. “It’s our job to listen, iterate, and make it real.”

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

A data-driven dream

Looking to the future, Kuantek is embarking on an ambitious initiative: mapping the infrastructure, climate, and behavioral patterns of every district in NTT.

They want to build a data bank – a library of regional insights that can guide future innovations and help them develop tailored, low-emission technologies suited to each community’s unique needs.

“Some areas are hot, dry, and windy. Others are humid or rich in seawater. Every place is different,” says Ben. “But if we know the conditions, we can create the right solutions.”

Beyond the benefit to their business, Kuantek wants the database to be an open reference point for governments, entrepreneurs, universities, and other innovators who want to build effective, community-centered technology in rural Indonesia.

Their dream is to make technology accessible and replicable. “Even if it’s simple, if people understand how it works, they can build it themselves,” Ben says.

Kuantek sums up their entire approach in five words: “Datang, Duduk, Diskusi, Design, Diseminasi (5D),” which translates to “Come. Sit. Discuss. Design. Disseminate.

More than a method, it’s a mindset that values patience over speed, trust over disruption, and purpose over profit.

“Where there are a thousand problems, there are also a thousand solutions,” says Ben. “Our job is to figure out how to tackle them.”

For all the challenges NTT presents, the people soldier on every day to live on to the next. They are what inspires each small invention at Kuantek. In turn, the company’s technologies seek to ease their burdens and build a cleaner future, in NTT and beyond.

Want more clean energy stories and opportunities in Indonesia? Check out New Energy Nexus Indonesia here.

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Built Environment

Building bridges for climate innovation: Meet 10 Japanese startups reaching for global impact

July 1, 2025

Japan has long been recognized as a global leader in precision engineering and advanced manufacturing. Yet in the race to decarbonize, its climate tech startup ecosystem is only beginning to accelerate. While government support is growing and university spinouts are gaining traction, Japanese climate innovators often face a key barrier: access to international markets, capital, and deep networks to support their growth.

At the same time, the U.S.—and California in particular—remains a global hub for climate innovation. With its dense investor networks, policy leadership, and cutting-edge R&D institutions, California offers fertile ground for scaling climate technologies that can help the world meet net-zero goals.

To unlock this potential, New Energy Nexus, Third Derivative, and Japan Energy Fund have partnered with JETRO to launch the Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP). This initiative is more than an exchange—it’s a bridge between two ecosystems with complementary strengths. By bringing Japan’s deep tech ingenuity into conversation with California’s fast-moving entrepreneurial culture, we aim to accelerate climate solutions that the whole world needs.

Below, meet 10 startups selected for the inaugural GSAP cohort. Each brings a unique approach to decarbonization—from fusion to algae, electronics to rare metal recycling. Together, they represent a new wave of Japanese climate innovation ready to go global.

Meet the Startups

The inaugural GSAP cohort of startups.

Planet Savers
Planet Savers is Japan’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) startup, spun out of the University of Tokyo. They’re developing a scalable CO₂ adsorbent-based DACCU system, aiming to lower capture costs to around $100–400 per ton. The team recently secured a significant NEDO grant to pilot their high-efficiency DAC technology, supporting their goal to “halt climate change and leave a beautiful Earth for the next generation.”

miibio
miibio develops light-switchable protein technology that allows precise optical control of biological processes. Based in Tokyo and rooted in synthetic biology research from the University of Tokyo, the company is commercializing this technology for use in research reagents and biomanufacturing, offering greater control over protein behavior.

Aqua Theon
Aqua Theon creates seaweed-based biomaterials for use in food, packaging, and medical products. By working with marine biomass, the company is developing renewable, circular alternatives that reduce reliance on conventional plastics.

Helical Fusion
Helical Fusion is working on fusion energy systems with new reactor designs aimed at delivering safe, scalable, and low-carbon power. The company’s approach focuses on making fusion a practical part of the future energy mix.

Rhinoflux
Rhinoflux develops bioenergy systems that capture carbon while generating power. By extracting CO₂ from biomass, their technology enables simultaneous energy production and carbon removal—useful for industries seeking low-emission, resilient energy solutions.

Atierra
Atierra uses microalgae bioreactors to remove atmospheric CO₂. Their systems convert carbon into algal biomass, offering a biotech-driven, nature-based approach to climate mitigation at scale.

E‑Thermo / Gentek
E‑Thermo Gentek captures industrial waste heat and converts it into electricity using thermoelectric technology. Their systems help industries recover energy that would otherwise be lost, improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

Emulsion Flow Technologies
Emulsion Flow Technologies provides rare metal recycling for batteries and electronics. Their proprietary emulsion process enables the recovery of valuable materials in a more sustainable way, contributing to circularity in fast-growing supply chains like EVs.

Sun Metalon
Sun Metalon integrates CO₂ reduction into metal recycling processes, with the goal of lowering emissions in heavy industry. Their approach combines carbon capture and resource reuse to support more sustainable industrial practices.

Elephantech
Elephantech manufactures printed circuit boards (PCBs) using a metal inkjet printing process. Their additive method cuts down on material waste and lowers environmental impact, offering a more efficient path for electronics production.

About the Program: JETRO Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP)

Co-hosted by New Energy Nexus, Third Derivative, and Japan Energy Fund, JETRO’s GSAP program supports 10 Japanese climate tech startups through a multi-phase program:

June (Tokyo Kick-off): Orientation, mentorship, and peer learning to shape business models and go-to-market strategies.

July–September (Virtual Acceleration): Group sessions and one-on-one mentoring with investors and industry leaders to refine pitches and partnerships.

October (US Immersion Week): In-person programming in San Jose, including curated business meetings, investor matchmaking, and participation in the VERGE Climate Tech Conference.

Nov 2025–Early 2026 (Follow-up Support): Ongoing mentoring and strategic guidance to deepen market entry, secure partnerships, and scale growth.

By building long-term connections between Japanese founders and global innovation ecosystems, the program aims to catalyze real, scalable climate impact.

Stay tuned as we follow these founders on their journey—from Tokyo labs to California boardrooms—and help usher in the next generation of global climate solutions.

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Vietnam

Built Environment

Women

How women entrepreneurs are building Mekong Delta’s climate resilience

January 22, 2025

A Vietnamese farmer cuts rice and harvests rice in the Mekong Delta.

Climate change is having a huge impact in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. The region is sinking 1.1 centimeters every year, and farmers are struggling with inconsistent weather cycles.

In response, its agricultural sector is embracing climate adaptation, powered by brilliant women entrepreneurs whose products are helping the region build resilience.

Through the Deltaccelerate program, funded by the Australian Government and managed by New Energy Nexus, six women entrepreneurs with climate-adaptive products received up to VND 1 billion (over US$39,000) to scale their businesses and strengthen their sustainable practices. These entrepreneurs were selected out of 14 competitive participants, all of whom underwent tailored training and gained networking opportunities.

This program follows a positive trend for diversity in the country’s private sector. Women now own over 20 percent of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country. As they rise in numbers, so does their role in shaping the future of sustainable business in Vietnam.

The six women entrepreneurs receiving funding from the Deltaccelerate program.

Whether they’re using coffee to make mugs, or cat houses from water hyacinth, here are the women-led businesses at the forefront of climate innovation in the Mekong Delta:

Mekong Coconut Oil Company Limited (Cocovie)

Founded by Hoang Thanh Thuy, the company produces quality cosmetic and food products made from coconut oil in the Ben Tre province. They have been utilizing and preserving over 10,000 hectares of coconut trees, estimated to have absorbed 75,000 tons of CO2.

Cau Ke Macapuno Coconut Processing Co., Ltd (VICOSAP)

Lam Ngoc Tu’s business uses macapuno coconuts to produce confectionery, baking ingredients and drinks. Cultivated by the Khmer community of Tra Vinh province, macapuno coconuts are known for their high saline tolerance—making them an ideal climate-adaptive crop.

Palmania JSC

Co-founded by Chau Ngoc Diu, the company produces Palmania, an organic sugar substitute made of sweet nectar from palmyra trees in An Giang province. The business provides jobs to indigenous farmers and taps palmyra trees in a way that does not shorten the trees’ 100-year lifespan.

Ben Tre Village in the Mekong Delta.

AirXCarbon/Veritas Vietnam JSC

Represented by Chief Strategic Officer Tran Thanh Thao, AirXCarbon turns materials such as coffee grounds, rice, and coconut husks into bioplastics, used to make zero-carbon products ranging from mugs to alternative packaging.

Dam Doi Sesarmid Cooperative

Tran Thi Xa’s business produces a wide range of sustainable products made from sesarmids and shrimps caught in the Ca Mau province.

Ecoka JSC

Led by Quang Chan Chan, this company manufactures and distributes handicrafts made entirely from natural materials in the Ha Giang province—including water hyacinth, bulrush, rattan, bamboo, and macrame. Their products include bags, coasters, and even cat houses.

About Deltaccelerate

Deltaccelerate is made possible by a unique partnership between the Australian Government and New Energy Nexus through the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) Climate Adaptation Partnerships in the Mekong Delta, announced in November 2023.

Deltaccelerate is a business accelerator funded by the Australian Government providing direct support, tailored training, and networking opportunities for enterprises that work in the Mekong Delta’s agricultural sector, which are led by or significantly benefit women and contribute to the sector’s resilience to climate adaptation.

The Partnerships are part of the Australian Government’s AU$94.5 million investments for climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta.

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Philippines

Built Environment

Hacking clean energy solutions in the Philippines

December 12, 2024

Ralph Ebora, NEXPH Program Manager for Startup Development, discusses the topic of transitioning to a clean energy economy.

The challenge of transitioning to clean energy

The transition to a 100% clean energy system is a complex undertaking. Energy systems are deeply foundational, influencing every aspect of human society. Transforming infrastructures built over centuries requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders, resources, innovative approaches, and precise timing to succeed.

Key issues such as transforming transport systems, increasing renewable energy adoption, and enabling energy consumers to use energy more efficiently are regularly discussed in conferences and meetings. While some ideas inspire change in communities, many remain just discussions due to limited resources and a lack of clarity on how to proceed.

Participants of Ready, Spark, Charge 2024: Hacking the Future of Energy

What are hackathons for?

Hackathons are events that bring together individuals from diverse sectors to brainstorm and develop innovative solutions to pressing challenges. They provide an impactful platform for turning discussions into action.

The concept of a hackathon combines “hack” (exploratory coding) with “marathon,” emphasizing intensive teamwork and rapid prototyping. While originally centered on software, hackathons have evolved to encompass broader challenges, including those in energy and climate innovation.

Participants of Ready, Spark, Charge 2023

Climate and energy hackathons in the Philippines

Over the past four years, New Energy Nexus Philippines has hosted an annual hackathon to gather energy and climate innovators. These events provide participants with feedback from industry practitioners, improving the feasibility and marketability of their ideas, as well as resources to develop their solutions further.

Continuing this tradition, Ready, Spark, Charge 2024: Hacking the Future of Energy assembled over 30 participants from across the Philippines for 2.5 days of collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation. Teams left not just with ideas but with actionable solutions ready for testing and implementation.

Bradley Cua, resource speaker, engages participants during the gallery walk session, discussing the challenge statement on energy efficiency in industries and offering additional insights.

The hackathon began with participants arriving with eager minds and a shared commitment to solve some of the country’s most pressing energy challenges. The first two days saw participants discuss key energy topics in the Philippines, such as energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and renewable energy adoption.

Drawing from the discussions, they then teamed up to brainstorm viable energy solutions. Experienced business and tech mentors helped narrow down their concepts based on feasibility, marketability, and potential impact.

Joshua Bascos of Team WATTsUp presenting their startup idea during the Day 2 mentoring session.

On the final day, the teams had a few minutes to pitch their solutions to a panel of judges, who probed their ideas, which ranged from eco-friendly briquettes to AI-powered energy assistants. In the end, four standout teams were recognized: Greenewables, SmartER, SolScribe, and WATTsUp.

The hackathon succeeded by generating innovative solutions through a collective effort from its participants. More importantly, it built strong bonds among the country’s future energy changemakers.

Engr. Erickson Tacda and Dr. Marilyn Calub of Greenwables receive the RSC 2024 Grand Champion and Best Pitcher Award.

The impact of collective innovation

The hackathon demonstrated the potential of collaborative innovation in addressing decades-old energy challenges. By bringing together passionate individuals and providing them with resources and guidance, New Energy Nexus Philippines fostered a space where transformative ideas could take root.

The real challenge lies ahead—ensuring that these promising innovations continue to develop and deliver the impact they envision. As these solutions progress, they serve as a beacon of hope for a cleaner, more sustainable energy future in the Philippines and beyond.

Participants of Ready, Spark, Charge 2024: Hacking the Future of Energy

Brenda Valerio is the country director of New Energy Nexus Philippines.

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News

Vietnam

Built Environment

Funding for Vietnam’s climate tech startups growing 365% year-on-year, reveals new report

September 30, 2024

Drone photo of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City, 30 September 2024 – Vietnam’s rapidly growing climate tech startup ecosystem secured US$92.6 million in cumulative financing for 49 startups between 2015-2023, according to the first report to map the growth of the country’s funding ecosystem.

The Vietnam Climate Tech Ecosystem report released today by New Energy Nexus and Clickable Impact with support from the Swiss Entrepreneurship Program (Swiss EP, shows that there is huge room for growth as climate tech funding contributed only four percent of Vietnam’s total venture capital investment in 2023—well below the global average of 10 percent.

“Vietnam witnessed a remarkable acceleration in investment from 2021-2023, with funding for climate tech startups averaging 365 percent growth year-over-year,” said Thao Tran, country head of New Energy Nexus Vietnam, one of the few organizations building a clean energy innovation ecosystem to support climate startups. “This shows that there’s a strong ecosystem to support clean energy innovators to develop their ideas, but that there’s a funding crunch when it comes to commercialisation and deploying this tech where it’s needed most,”

“We see great room for entrepreneurial support organizations like New Energy Nexus to help Vietnam’s climate tech entrepreneurs build more commercially sound businesses, improve their investment readiness, and connect with both domestic and international capital,” said Jason Lusk, managing partner of Clickable Impact.

Key findings from the report:

Among the 49 funded startups, 76 percent have been founded since 2019.
Most deals have been early-stage, with seed and Series A funding comprising 47 percent of the deal count. Only two startups have graduated to Series B, a funding round that signals a startup’s readiness to scale.
Most climate tech startups operated out of Vietnam’s largest cities: Ho Chi Minh City (65.3%) and Hanoi (26.5%).
Farming and food production startups raised 48.4 percent of all climate tech funding in Vietnam.

Although funding for the circular economy and carbon sectors remains limited, there is an emerging trend marked by an increasing number of startups in these areas. This aligns with the growth in grant funding, which could lead to a higher number of investable startups in the next business cycle.

Furthermore, while many startups and investors remain optimistic about fundraising, a gap persists between investable startups and investors with a deep understanding of the market and the specific challenges faced by early-stage ventures.

Vietnam is highly vulnerable to climate change; according to the World Bank, the country faces potential economic losses of up to 12-14.5 percent of its annual GDP by 2050.¹ Climate tech entrepreneurship is critical in mitigating Vietnam’s greenhouse gas emissions and empowering the country’s communities and industries to build climate resilience.

Notes:

[1] World Bank (2022). Vietnam Country Climate and Development Report.

Media contacts:

Nhung Nguyen
Program and Impact Manager, New Energy Nexus Vietnam
nhung.mguyen@newenergynexus.com
(based in Ho Chi Minh City)

Tristan Tremschnig
Global Communications Director, New Energy Nexus
tristan.tremschnig@newenergynexus.com
(based in San Francisco)

About New Energy Nexus

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international organization that strives towards a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population. It does this with a laser focus on diverse entrepreneurs, supporting them with accelerators, funds, skills, and networks they need to thrive. NEX has accelerated 1,500+ startups, empowered over 10,400+ entrepreneurs, and mobilized over US$4.7 billion in investment. Since its founding in California in 2004, NEX now operates programs or advisory services in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the UAE, Uganda, the USA (California and New York), and Vietnam.

Follow NEX on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube

About New Energy Nexus

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international organization that strives towards a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population. It does this with a laser focus on diverse entrepreneurs, supporting them with accelerators, funds, skills, and networks they need to thrive. NEX has accelerated 1,400 startups, empowered over 9,500 entrepreneurs, and mobilized over US$3.7 billion in investment. Since its founding in California in 2004, NEX now operates programs or advisory services in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the UAE, Uganda, the USA (California and New York), and Vietnam.

Follow NEX on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube

About New Energy Nexus Vietnam

New Energy Nexus Vietnam was launched in early 2019 with the mission of promoting Vietnam’s clean energy transition. We have supported over 500 entrepreneurs and engaged over 1,500 participants through our incubation, acceleration, and funding programs. With our backing, startups have generated US$1.4 million in grants.

By enhancing our strong bond with all the stakeholders in the network, we aim to further develop the energy ecosystem in support of a smooth transition to sustainable initiatives and build a pipeline of potential entrepreneurs.

About Clickable Impact Consulting Group

Founded in 2013, Clickable Impact is a strategic advisory firm dedicated to green and inclusive growth. We aspire to market-leading mastery over the toolkit of change. Our services include research, policy analysis, innovation platform design, business matching, market entry, and strategic communications. From our headquarters in Vietnam, we work across the Greater Mekong Subregion, ASEAN, and the broader Asia-Pacific.

News

Indonesia

Built Environment

Youth

Indonesia’s first youth driven clean energy policy competition announces winners

September 20, 2024

3ge first winner of nex's indonesia [re]power energy policy hackathon 00

The 3GE Team, [RE]Power Hackathon First Place winner, presents their clean energy policy proposal.

Jakarta, 20 September 2024 – The winners of Indonesia’s first youth-driven clean energy policy “hackathon” presented their policy recommendations today to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas).

Announced at New Energy Nexus Indonesia’s [RE]Power event, the policies will be shared with policy leaders who will formulate the upcoming 2025-2029 RPJMN (National Medium-Term Development Plan).

First place: Encouraging private sector engagement through efficiency and transparency in a public-private partnership for renewable energy infrastructure project in Indonesia | 3GE Team (Nain M. Farchan & Elmaira Ferlita S) – Universitas Jember
Second place: Establishing a Coordinating Ministry for Climate Change as a Solution for Data Integration and Roadmap Synchronization to reach Indonesia’s Net Zero Emission Goals | Invaluable Team (Azaria Ahmad Haykal, Gema Wachid Aryasatya, Rafi Ramadhan Seba) – Institut Teknologi Bandung & University of Tokyo
Third place: Proposing strategies to strengthen the clean energy research and development ecosystem in Indonesia | Arindama Team (Rizka Fitria Utami & Herlina Pebria) – Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa
These teams were selected after completing a rigorous bootcamp, developing capstone projects, and participating in intensive mentoring sessions. The winning teams will share a total prize of IDR45,000,000.

“Young people are not only one-quarter of the Indonesia’s population, but they’re also at the forefront of climate change impacts. That’s why we’re showcasing their ideas and solutions, providing them the opportunity to collaborate with entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers to influence future energy policy,” said Diyanto Imam, Program Director of New Energy Nexus Indonesia. “We’re so proud of the finalists and all the participants who demonstrated unyielding optimism to solve some of the world’s most intractable problems.”

According to the first-place winner 3GE Team, there are several key issues in Indonesia’s clean energy policies, particularly in relation to Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). These include a lack of transparency and persistent corruption within renewable energy projects, unclear risk-sharing mechanisms between the public and private sectors, and the absence of compelling incentives that limit the appeal of green energy initiatives under the current PPP framework.

“To address these challenges, we recommend improving public transparency and accountability through open reporting on project implementation, establishing clear risk-sharing mechanisms to strengthen public-private partnerships, and developing more attractive programs for investors with effective financing strategies,” said Elmaira Ferlita S, a member of the 3GE Team. “These measures are essential for driving sustainable development in Indonesia’s clean energy sector.”

“I never realized how much goes into creating a policy and how deeply it impacts our daily lives. While I’m thrilled that our team won, I’m even more grateful for the knowledge and networks we’ve gained through the [RE]Power Hackathon, especially the intensive discussions we had with our mentors and industry experts,” added Nain M. Farchan, also from the 3GE Team.

New Energy Nexus (NEX) Indonesia’s [RE]Power Hackathon is the country’s first youth-driven energy policy hackathon designed for young innovators to develop forward-thinking policies that will catalyze the adoption of clean technologies across Indonesia.

“I am pleased to see our youth dedicating their minds to creating policies that will drive Indonesia toward achieving its sustainable energy transition goals. The fact that dozens of young people applied to the [RE]Power Hackathon shows their deep interest in and commitment to these critical issues,” said Ir. Senda Hurmuzan Kanam., M.Sc on behalf of Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New and Renewable Energy. “As someone who helps shape regulations, it gives me peace of mind knowing we are not alone in this journey. When my time ends, I am confident that our future leaders will take the reins and ensure Indonesia’s continued progress with just policies.”

The [RE]Power Hackathon also welcomed five startups from Bali showcasing products ranging from waste-derived innovations to eco-apps aimed at promoting sustainable tourism: Ambawarna, Kishara, Decoco Luminer, Ecous, Kelana Terra.

[RE]Power is proud to collaborate with eleven youth-led organizations: BEM FH Universitas Indonesia, Climate Rangers Jakarta, Economy for Ecology, Environmental Law Society FH Universitas Indonesia, Green Welfare Indonesia, School of Applied STEM Universitas Prasetya Mulya, Society of Renewable Energy ITB, Society of Renewable Energy ITK, Society of Renewable Energy Universitas Indonesia, Teens Go Green Indonesia, and Mindworks Lab. NEX Indonesia is also grateful for the support of our media partners, Changemakr Asia, Katadata.co.id, Katadata Green, and Zona EBT.

The support from Milkywire, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Ministry of National Development Planning has been critical in NEX Indonesia’s efforts to foster a vibrant cleantech ecosystem in Indonesia.

Media contacts:

Raisha Fatya
Communications Manager, New Energy Nexus Indonesia
raisha.fatya@newenergynexus.com

About New Energy Nexus

Follow NEX on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube

About New Energy Nexus Indonesia

In Indonesia, New Energy Nexus works to support the development of ecosystems that can support the needs of not only innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs, but also other stakeholders in the clean energy and climate solutions sectors.

News

Philippines

Built Environment

Six-fold increase in Filipino clean energy startups since 2020, but support ecosystem needs to catch up

September 18, 2024

Makati City, Philippines, 18 September 2024 — The Philippines currently has 91 clean energy and climate startups, representing a six-fold increase since 2020 (from 15), according to a new report, It takes a village: Growing an ecosystem to support Philippines’ clean energy startups, from New Energy Nexus. Of these startups, 18 have raised almost US$1.3 million.

“The Filipino clean energy innovation ecosystem has shown huge progress and promise in the past years, but the nascent space runs the risk of stalling because of lack of access to networks, funding, testing facilities, and skills training,” said Brenda Valerio, Country Director at NEX Philippines. “Local entrepreneurs are best placed to understand how to deploy solutions in their communities and transition our economy more equitably to clean energy. It really does take a village to build and deploy these solutions.”

The study also found that while these startups are mostly in Metro Manila (34.1%), entrepreneurs from Northern Mindanao (14.5%) and CALABARZON (16.5%) are carving up space in the industry.

Industries for climate and clean energy startup companies and enterprises

Nearly half of startups (49%) are in the renewable energy generation sector, while others are in the sustainable transportation / e-mobility sector, energy access sector (both at 8%), and waste management (7%).

These developments are due in part to more opportunities for clean energy businesses to scale, with over 100 national energy policies and incentives easing the burden on entrepreneurs, increasing opportunities in the private sector, and incubator and accelerator programs run by organizations such as New Energy Nexus—which is still the only non-profit clean energy accelerator in the country. New Energy Nexus has directly supported over 90 percent of these startups since 2019.

Despite significant progress, the report outlines how public, private, and advocacy stakeholders can build an innovation ecosystem to support more thriving startups and accelerate the adoption and deployment of clean energy innovation.

Among the gaps seen are in the public sector. Unstreamlined bureaucratic processes, lack of resources at the local level, and potential policy changes make it tough for many entrepreneurs to access the funding and incentive programs that the government provides. There is also a lack of research, testbeds, and facilities in the country that could accelerate the development of clean energy technologies.
Another concern is private investments. Of the US$ 1.3 million in funding mentioned above, only 13 percent came from private loans and investments. Furthermore, some startups require substantial upfront investment, yet many are not ready to meet the demand of managing large capital injections. This is where support from the private sector, government, and nonprofits is required—beyond early-stage funding, startups need to access venture capital and growth-stage funding in order to scale and access new markets.

“In my observation, most startups are not yet ready for the type of funding that’s currently available. We have to recognize that many of these companies are still at an early stage in their development,” said Rachel Santiago-Sacro of venture fund Clime Capital, which invests in sustainability and clean energy ventures. “It’s crucial that we provide support at every stage of a startup’s journey, not just when they’re ready for significant investment.”

On the scarcity of capital, the report recommends experimenting with diverse funding mechanisms and de-risking strategies to create a more investor-friendly environment for both institutions and innovators. These include public-private partnerships, venture capital, and crowdfunding, which could boost financial support for energy innovation in the country.

Furthermore, the report calls for streamlining regulatory processes for ease of business, enhanced support on market access, integration of energy innovation and entrepreneurship topics in academic curricula, and fostering a community of various stakeholders to facilitate mutual learning.

“Many of these gaps could be filled by addressing fragmentation in the clean energy sector,” Valerio said. “Instead of working independently, government agencies, think tanks, and non-government organizations must collaborate to make processes more efficient for startups and to catch up with the country’s growing startup space.”

Media contacts:

Dan Lacsamana
Partnerships Associate, New Energy Nexus Philippines
danielle.lacsamana@newenergynexus.com
(based in Mandaluyong City)

Maverick Flores
Senior Content Producer, New Energy Nexus
maverick.flores@newenergynexus.com
(based in Quezon City)

About New Energy Nexus

Follow NEX on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube

About New Energy Nexus Philippines

Since 2019, our programs in the Philippines have supported almost 1,000 entrepreneurs through accelerators, training, and networking opportunities. We have supported over 90% of the country’s clean energy and climate startups across all regions to scale and innovate on their solutions.

Story

Built Environment

Working towards deep collaboration to accelerate the clean energy transition

September 17, 2024

New Energy Nexus CEO Henri van Eeghen

All living and thriving systems, including nature, are regenerative, circular, and interconnected. They go through phases of growth and renewal, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Unfortunately, our current economy stands in stark contrast. Instead of regenerating, it depletes Earth’s resources, contributing to climate change, inequality, and instability. To create a sustainable future, we must not merely adjust our economic model but transform it entirely. By prioritizing our planet and nurturing society, we can reimagine an economy that regenerates. To achieve this, we must dare to rethink our entrenched financial systems, explore innovative solutions, and reward actions that benefit both society and the environment.

While this transformation is challenging, it is within our reach. Our current model was crafted by people, and we have the power to reshape it for a more sustainable and equitable world.

At New Energy Nexus, we champion initiatives that pioneer, catalyze, and foster communities and partnerships. We celebrate those who dare to go against the grain, challenge the status quo, and focus on regenerating both society and our planet. We do this with a laser focus on entrepreneurs building a 100% clean energy economy — for everyone, equitably. Access to energy is recognized as a fundamental human right and constitutes the seventh of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

To achieve this, we need to engage entrepreneurs around the globe through accelerators, funds, skills, and the networks they need to thrive. We cannot do this alone; deep collaboration is essential.

What does deep collaboration look like?

About twelve years ago, while at Cordaid, I had a meaningful experience around collaboration. It was with an organization that had developed technologies, primarily using SMS, to share and send information. This was during a time when mobile usage was exploding in Africa, making distributed information suddenly accessible to many. Initially, the organization (AKVO and Text to Change, TTC) approached the Dutch Ministry to consider using this technology in the fight against HIV/AIDS. However, the Ministry responded: “We will not finance any renewal or innovation. It must be proven technology.”

Cordaid, a major partner of the Ministry, was active in the area of HIV/AIDS and was approached by TTC to collaborate. Initially, we were hesitant, but after several workshops, we realized the potential of this innovative idea as a breakthrough.

It required us to completely rethink our way of working. This was also the case for TTC, which had little experience working within such contexts. In order to collaborate fully, both organizations had to give up something to create space for a new way of working, which resulted in an impact far greater than anything achieved previously.

To succeed, we had to move beyond our own offices and include local clinics and other stakeholders. Creating the space for renewal and involving all stakeholders changed the approach to HIV/AIDS entirely. Much like the energy transition realizes distributed energy sourcing, this project allowed for drastically improved information sharing and decision-making.

This example has implications for our work as well. If we want to be more impactful, we must reach out to other stakeholders and find new collaborative models. It seems logical, but giving up something is difficult, especially for those in “northern” countries. In our cultures, we often rely on transactional models and are not taught to embrace collaborative ones.

New Energy Nexus works with Community-based Organizations (CBOs) in Uganda to provide clean energy access to off-grid communities.

Here, we can take inspiration from living systems. The closest concept to collaboration is symbiosis — a mutualistic relationship where everyone benefits. We might even imagine reaching a point of ‘transcendence,’ where the collaboration creates something greater than the sum of its parts. True collaboration in this context occurs when two or more organizations adopt an open mind and heart, seeking congruence in the common good of human development, contributing to a better world with energy for all.

This also requires dispelling some myths surrounding the adoption of sustainable technologies. Through our work, we have seen that sustainable technologies can be adopted within underserved communities and made affordable.

To achieve this, we must design creative financing solutions, among other prerequisites, by carefully carrying out needs assessments. This requires time and resources to do well. But it can be done, and we have compelling evidence from several contexts in which we operate.

May this serve as an invitation to those in the sector, including those active in venture philanthropy, blended finance, technical assistance (including training), and especially social enterprises in the many countries where we work. Our mission requires an ecosystem that collaborates with a shared goal and common purpose: to make the world a better place, with clean energy as a transformative, decentralized power.

Henri van Eeghen is CEO of New Energy Nexus.