A resident of Bungin Village, Indonesia, uses solar-powered cold storage to store fish catch. Photo by Yudha Baskoro

Jakarta, 25 June 2025 — Up to 15 early-stage climate and clean energy startups will be eligible to win grants totaling IDR 1.6 billion (US$98,000), as well as mentoring and access to investors under a new program to support innovation across Indonesia. 

The KINETIK NEX startup incubation program is led by New Energy Nexus and supported by KINETIK, the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Climate, Renewable Energy and Infrastructure.

Five start-ups will be awarded funding for a total of IDR 1.6 billion to pilot their climate solutions.

The program will end with [RE]Spark, a clean energy and climate startup festival, where selected startups from the cohort will pitch their climate solutions to potential partners and investors. Under the program, journalists will also be trained in climate and clean energy reporting.

The KINETIK NEX aims to support Indonesia’s pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 or earlier. Climate startups, which are critical to solving local challenges with homegrown solutions, continue to face barriers in accessing capital, market opportunities, and regulatory support. The initiative will prioritize women-led startups and those based in Eastern Indonesia.

According to a recent Climate Policy Initiative report, achieving Indonesia’s net-zero electricity target by 2060 will require renewable energy financing to increase more than five times, from around US$3 billion per year to approximately US$16 billion annually.

“Indonesia’s clean energy transition cannot succeed without empowering local innovators and ecosystem builders,” said Diyanto Imam, Director of New Energy Nexus Indonesia.

“Indonesia had huge clean energy potential, but fossil fuels still powered 80% of the country’s electricity. Through KINETIK NEX, we’re helping diverse startups to thrive and enabling local communities to drive clean energy solutions,” said Mr Imam.

“This is about unlocking talent and ideas from every corner of Indonesia, and making the energy transition inclusive, equitable, and locally driven.”

About KINETIK NEX

KINETIK NEX Initiative drives inclusive growth by supporting clean energy and climate startups and businesses across Indonesia.

Led by New Energy Nexus Indonesia with support from KINETIK, the Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Climate, Renewable Energy and Infrastructure, we champion local innovators, grow green jobs, and bring climate solutions to life beyond urban centres.

KINETIK NEX backs bold ideas for a prosperous Indonesia and a protected planet.

About New Energy Nexus Indonesia

New Energy Nexus is the world’s leading ecosystem of funds and accelerators supporting diverse clean energy entrepreneurs. 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.

Update: Applications are still open until June 29 — apply now!

Ho Chi Minh – She Wins Climate is a global initiative by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) aimed at accelerating women-led climate startups and increasing their access to climate investment. The Southeast Asia acceleration program, supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of Australia, and delivered in partnership with New Energy Nexus (NEX), is a 12-month program designed to propel 25 promising women climate entrepreneurs in the region to lead the transformation of climate action.

Women entrepreneurs continue to face significant barriers to scaling their businesses. Only less than 7% of climate tech venture funding in Q1 2023 went to women founders — likely even lower in Southeast Asia, where data remains incomplete.[1].

“Women-led climate startups have the potential to drive transformative change, yet they face systemic barriers, including limited funding and restricted access to networks,” said Thao Tran, Country Director at New Energy Nexus Vietnam. “This program is designed to equip female founders with the tools, connections, and confidence they need to scale their solutions and attract investment.”

The twelve-month program aims to enhance investment readiness, expand market access, and strengthen the business capabilities of women entrepreneurs tackling climate challenges. Selected participants will receive tailored mentorship, pitch coaching, and networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders.

The application window for She Wins Climate Southeast Asia is open from May 5 – June 13, 2025. The program kicks off in August with a virtual event, setting clear objectives and fostering collaboration. Participants will engage in a series of curated workshops addressing key challenges faced by women-led climate startups. This hybrid-format program will provide in-depth virtual sessions including mentoring, expert sharing, and peer learning, as well as in-person workshops covering essential topics such as investor pitch networking, overcoming gender biases in the climate business ecosystem, and accessing female-focused markets.

To ensure personalized support, the program includes one-on-one mentoring sessions, expert-led discussions on critical topics such as funding and legal strategies, and peer learning opportunities with the cohort members. Participants will also gain exposure to investors through pitch networking sessions and an investor matching event, helping them navigate the climate investment ecosystem and strengthen their investment readiness.

Additionally, participants will have opportunities to access a network of investors, join the She Wins Climate global alumni community, and increase visibility to showcase their work at IFC and the World Bank Group’s platforms.

About IFC​​

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Derrick Tang, the head of programs for New Energy Nexus California.

With over 15 years of experience in climate investments, venture capital, and clean energy entrepreneurship, Derrick Tang brings a wealth of expertise in funding and scaling climate solutions that prioritize equity and innovation. His experience and passion for cultivating the clean energy ecosystem in California made him an ideal choice to head up programs at the California chapter.

A Cornell University graduate with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Derrick combines technical expertise with investment and policy leadership to drive systemic change in the clean energy sector.

His career has been defined by launching and managing high-impact programs that support underrepresented entrepreneurs and accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy:

As Deputy Director of Venture Capital at IBank California, he was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to lead the state’s first public venture fund, deploying $250 million to underrepresented founders, underserved communities, and climate justice initiatives.

At the Bay Area Air District, he founded and led the Climate Investments team, creating the agency’s first loan program and California’s first loan guarantee program for climate startups. He also embedded racial and social equity into investment strategies.

In his prior role at New Energy Nexus, Derrick helped launch CalSEED, a grant and economic development initiative supporting early-stage clean energy entrepreneurs.

“I feel honored to take on this role at New Energy Nexus and shape the programs we offer to energy entrepreneurs throughout California,” said Tang, “The success of the innovations we have supported over the years proves our programs’ impact. Now we face new challenges and new opportunities, and I’m excited to help lead our efforts to meet this moment.”

Please join us in welcoming Derrick back to the New Energy Nexus team, this time in a leadership role. He will drive programs that empower diverse founders and accelerate the clean energy transition!

Subscribe to the California newsletter for monthly updates about the programs and startups this chapter supports.

Sydney, 8 April 2025 – Supercharge Australia is proud to announce the cohort selected for its latest program, the inaugural Supercharge Australia Incubator, designed to accelerate Australia’s lithium battery manufacturing and innovation capabilities through support of early-stage companies in prototype phase.

From battery chemistry breakthroughs and AI-powered energy technologies to materials innovation, recycling, second-life systems, and electrified mobility and infrastructure, this diverse group of startups represents a wave of transformative solutions for Australia’s battery value chain.

“Supercharge Australia aims to dramatically increase the flow of Australian founders and new businesses in the lithium battery value chain that can be supported by and take advantage of new funding programs like the AU$500M Battery Breakthrough Initiative, the AU$15B National Reconstruction Fund and the AU$23B Future Made in Australia program,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager for Supercharge Australia.

“This cohort is a great reflection of the breadth and ambition of Australian startup innovation in the battery sector,” said Megan Fisher, CEO of EnergyLab. Strengthening Australia’s innovation capability is critical—not only to securing our clean energy supply chain but also to fostering new companies, future employers, and manufacturers that will drive our economy forward.”

The first-ever Supercharge Australia Incubator cohort, during the virtual kickoff.

Meet the 2025 cohort:

• Adoxima (VIC) – Co-founded by Dr. Vyom Parashar and Kristoffer Collopy, Adoxima produces high-purity metal oxides for battery applications and clean hydrogen as a by-product.
• CarboPhite (VIC) – Dr. Mehrdad Parsa and his team are developing a cutting-edge, cost-effective, and eco-friendly carbon-coating technology for sustainable anode production and enhancing battery performance.
• InnoVoltIQ Tech (NSW) – Dylan Wei Zhang is leveraging existing technology to build an Australian battery and cell manufacturing capability.
• Li-ion Energy (WA) – Founded by Sarai Ball and Justin Manton, Li-ion Energy is reconditioning, recycling, and transforming lithium battery waste into reusable energy solutions.
• Naut (NZ) – Led by Fiona Bycroft and Lindsay Faithfull, Naut builds high-powered electric propulsion systems that go into the boat of your choice.
• Net Zero Engineering Solutions (SA) – Portia Rooney is providing consumer-focused bidirectional charging solutions for EVs
• Noizend (NSW) – Founded by Paul Monsted, Noizend is bringing people together through physics-informed active noise control for battery energy storage systems
• Powerblocks (NSW) – Julie Leung and Robert Mortimer are making energy storage for better communities – safe, modular and beautiful.
• Sustainable Lithium Cells Australia (QLD) – Founded by Andrew Chadwick, this startup uses second-life batteries to bring affordable energy storage to Australians
• Voltavate (VIC) – Amir Hooshang Taheri is revolutionising battery manufacturing with nanofiber-engineered separators that double battery life, improve safety, and reduce production waste and cost.

Over 12 weeks, the incubator provides hands-on support, strategic guidance, and ecosystem and investor connections for Australian founders building the future of energy storage and electrification. For more information on the Supercharge Australia Incubator, click here.

Supercharge Australia, a joint project of New Energy Nexus and EnergyLab, is accelerating Australia’s lithium battery value chain, catalyzing sovereign capability across the battery supply chain—from critical minerals to manufacturing, deployment, second-life and recycling.

About EnergyLab

EnergyLab is Australia’s largest climate tech startup accelerator and innovation network dedicated to reaching net zero emissions. EnergyLab connects talented founders to the mentors, advisors, partners, peers and investors they need to succeed and has so far supported over 240 startups and 150 aspiring founders through its various programs.

In addition to running 10 programs, EnergyLab operates a climate focused angel platform with a network of over 200 angel investors, a mentor network with over 450 experts, coworking and events space at UTS in Sydney all of these services are leveraged to support the clean energy and decarbonisation startup ecosystem in Australia.

Manila, Philippines – New Energy Nexus (NEX) Philippines and solar energy company EcoSolutions Philippines have officially signed a Partnership Agreement to accelerate solar energy adoption and workforce development in the Philippines.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing the country’s renewable energy sector. By joining forces, NEX Philippines, New Energy Academy, and EcoSolutions Philippines aim to enhance practical solar installation training across the Philippines, equipping individuals with hands-on experience in solar technology.

“This partnership represents a shared vision of empowering individuals and communities through clean energy solutions,” said NEX Philippines Country Director Brenda Valerio. “By leveraging our expertise and resources, we aim to create more opportunities for Filipinos in the solar industry.”

The partnership also seeks to increase market awareness, adoption and access to innovative and efficient solar technologies nationwide. As part of this effort, EcoSolutions will provide solar panel demo units for training purposes, which will be distributed among multiple training partners of the New Energy Academy, New Energy Nexus’ solar training program. Additionally, the partnership will sponsor solar installation training scholarships to support aspiring solar professionals and entrepreneurs. Through these initiatives, both organizations aim to develop a skilled workforce, foster job creation, and strengthen their roles in the Philippine renewable energy ecosystem.

Mariah Brenda Valerio, Country Director at New Energy Nexus Philippines and EcoSolutions Philippines President, Mr. Richmond Royce V. Reyes, sign the Partnership Agreement.

The official signing ceremony was attended by key representatives from both organizations, with Valerio and EcoSolutions Philippines President Richmond Royce V. Reyes as signatories of the agreement.

Sheryl Estella (Academy Manager, New Energy Academy) and Ivan Fredriech L. Cano (Marketing Head, EcoSolutions Philippines) show support during the signing of the Partnership Agreement.

The partnership between New Energy Nexus Philippines and EcoSolutions Philippines is set to roll out various initiatives in the coming months, including specialized training programs and industry engagement activities to drive greater adoption of solar energy solutions across the country.

About New Energy Academy

New Energy Academy is a solar training institution dedicated to developing skilled professionals in the renewable energy sector. It was founded in collaboration with New Energy Nexus, Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES) and OpenSolar, as a response to the rapidly growing solar industry.

About EcoSolutions Philippines

EcoSolutions Philippines, a trade name under R.A.R. Ventures Incorporated, specializes in solar panel system distribution, installation, and cleaning services for both residential and commercial properties in the Philippines.

Berkeley, California, USA – New Energy Nexus announces today the appointment of two clean energy and international development leaders, Peter du Pont and Richenda Van Leeuwen, to its Board of Directors. These strategic additions to the board bring decades of combined experience in clean energy finance, policy, and entrepreneurship across global markets, further strengthening New Energy Nexus’s mission to support diverse entrepreneurs building a 100% clean energy economy.

Peter du Pont, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Asia Clean Energy Partners

Peter du Pont is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Asia Clean Energy Partners, an Asia-based international consultancy providing services and solutions for clients in the development and business sectors. Based in Bangkok, Dr. du Pont brings over 30 years of experience developing sustainable energy and climate programs across the U.S. and Asia. His expertise spans technical, policy, and market assessments, with deep connections to major development institutions including USAID, Asian Development Bank, as well as to clean energy and impact investors in the Asia region. He also co-founded the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) in Asia in 2009 and continues to serve as its Asia Regional Coordinator.

“The entrepreneurial ecosystem is a driving force behind clean energy innovation, particularly in emerging markets,” said Peter du Pont. “I’m honored to join New Energy Nexus at this critical moment when the need to rapidly scale up innovative and investable climate solutions has never been more urgent. I look forward to helping expand the organization’s impact across Asia and beyond, connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to scale impactful solutions.”

Richenda Van Leeuwen, President of Hummingbird Green Solutions

Richenda Van Leeuwen is President of Hummingbird Green Solutions. Her career includes many years of leadership roles focused on sustainable energy for sustainable development, renewable energy investing and entrepreneurship at organizations including senior roles at the Aspen Institute, RMI, the United Nations Foundation, the Global LPG Partnership, and Good Energies across Africa, the Americas and Asia.  She brings expertise in commercial renewable energy investments, impact investing, particularly in energy access solutions for emerging economies, climate finance and entrepreneurship.

“Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed firsthand how entrepreneurial approaches can transform challenges into opportunities for local sustainable development,” said Richenda Van Leeuwen. “New Energy Nexus has built an impressive global platform that nurtures diverse talent and innovative business models. I’m excited to contribute to its next chapter, and support significant contributions to both sustainable development and climate goals.”

These strategic appointments come after Henri van Eeghen assumed the role of CEO in August 2024, leading New Energy Nexus in its next stage of growth and impact.

“Peter and Richenda bring invaluable expertise and networks that will help us deepen our support for entrepreneurs in key markets and strengthen our partnerships across the public and private sectors,” said Henri van Eeghen, CEO of New Energy Nexus. “Their combined experience in Asia, Africa, and global institutions aligns perfectly with our strategy to scale our impact and unlock greater capital for diverse founders building climate solutions.

“We also thank outgoing Board members Julia Blunden and Chia-Lin Simmons for their invaluable work, expertise, and advice over the years.”

“We are absolutely delighted with the addition of Peter and Richenda to our Board,” said Board co-chairs Ian Rogoff and Janet Dalziell. “As we move into our next phase, these appointments position us to significantly accelerate our work toward a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the world’s population.”

Hong Kong, 24 February 2025 – Hong Kong-based utility Towngas, in partnership with New Energy Nexus (NEX), has launched the 4th TERA Award, a global initiative to identify and recognize exceptional, innovative green technologies and solutions that are poised for the future.

Through the competition, the organizers will offer the application scenarios, funding opportunities and resources to the entries with potential, helping them to bring their innovative ideas to fruition and achieve commercial success.

The prize of the award is US$1 million for the first-place winner, while runner up and third prize will receive US$100,000 and US$50,000.

Hong Kong skyline

Application categories include:

• Renewable Energy: Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Geothermal Energy, Biomass Energy
• Energy Storage and Conversion: Electrochemical energy storage, Physical Energy, Energy conversion technologies,Thermal solutions (e.g air source heat pumps)
• CCUS Technology: Carbon Capture, Carbon Utilization, Carbon Storage, Methane Emissions Control
• Green fuel & hydrogen energy: Sustainable biomass processing tech, Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Green methanol, Hydrogen production, transmission and storage, Hydrogen energy applications
• Intelligent Energy Systems: Energy Internet, Virtual Power Plant, Energy management
• Smart City: Green Smart Kitchens, Home Energy Management Solutions, Green City Planning (e.g. Green Transportation, Green Buildings, Waste Management, Air Quality Management)

In its past three editions, Tera-Award has attracted applications from 933 green tech start-ups across 59 countries and regions, thereby establishing a significant impact within the global energy innovation ecosystem.

New Energy Nexus China has been supporting Tera-Award for three years. Every year, we link global ecological partner resources, fully support the recruitment and promotion of the competition, and jointly accelerate the implementation of advanced green energy technologies.

The application window is until April 9th, 2025. Apply now for US$1 million for Gold Prize, and chance to accelerate with Towngas energy sandbox!

Six women-led agricultural enterprises across the Mekong Delta in Vietnam have successfully secured up to AUD60,000 (VND1 billion) each to take their businesses to the next level, thanks to Deltaccelerate.

Deltaccelerate is a women’s agribusiness climate adaptation accelerator funded by the Australian Government that provides customised training and tailored support for women-focused small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Mekong Delta to build their capacity in sustainable business practices and strengthen their resilience to climate adaptation.

The six successful businesses were selected from a cohort of 14 Deltaccelerate participants following a competitive Pitch Day event on 17 October 2024 in Can Tho city. They include:

Mekong Coconut Oil Company Limited (Cocovie)

Producing and trading high-quality cosmetic and food products from coconut oil in Ben Tre province, focusing on preserving and utilizing coconut trees over 10 years old, which can absorb 75 tons of CO2 per hectare per year.

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

Specialising in confectionery products, baking ingredients and drinks made from macapuno coconuts, a specialty of Tra Vinh province cultivated by the Khmer community and known for their high saline tolerance, making them an ideal climate-adaptive crop.

Palmania JSC

Creating healthy, organic products from palmyra trees using sustainable farming methods rooted in the indigenous Khmer community in An Giang province.

AirXCarbon/Veritas Vietnam JSC

Transforming biomaterials, including coconut husks from the Mekong Delta, into zero-carbon consumer products.

Dam Doi Sesarmid Cooperative

Producing a range of sustainable products from locally-caught sesarmids and shrimps in Ca Mau province.

Ecoka JSC

Producing and trading handicrafts made from adaptive materials, including water hyacinth and bulrush, from Hau Giang province on global e-commerce platforms.

Each enterprise will now receive this financial support to scale their business through trade promotion, marketing, product development and training initiatives. Deltaccelerate’s total contribution of AUD250,000 (VND4 billion) will also leverage AUD320,000 (VND5 billion) in co-funding from the enterprises to further amplify its impact.

The Deltaccelerate program is part of the Business Partnership Platform (BPP), an Australian Government initative implemented by Palladium. Deltaccelerate is managed by New Energy Nexus Vietnam (NEXVN) and continues to foster innovative solutions for climate adaptation and sustainable development in the Mekong Delta.

About the Business Partnerships Program (BPP)

The BPP supports business partnerships between DFAT and inclusive, commercially sustainable businesses to deliver strategic development outcomes, with a focus on gender equality, disability, social inclusion and climate impact. Since 2016, it has supported 75 partnerships in 21 countries, partnering with 147 organisations across the private sector, social business, NGOs and academic institutions.

The Australian Government has invested more than AUD31 million in BPP partnerships, with partners contributing more than AUD51 million.

About the 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 AUD94.5 million investments for climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta.

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.