Australia is charging ahead in the race to build a battery-powered world—and the timing couldn’t be better.

The nation’s growing role in the global battery supply chain took center stage at our recent webinar, Australia’s Time to Charge: Powering the Battery Future. The hour-long session, part of our Just Batteries initiative, explored how battery innovation, mass EV retrofitting, and smart policy could transform Australia into a clean energy powerhouse.

These industry experts led the discussion, held virtually on June 19, 2025:

• Kirk McDonald, Project Manager- Supercharge Australia, New Energy Nexus
• Andrew Chang, Chief Growth Officer, New Energy Nexus
• Kyle Van Berendonck, Founder, Veepower
• Derick Gyabeng, Program Lead – Supercharge Australia, EnergyLab

Why this conversation matters

The battery supply chain is the backbone of the energy transition, and Australia’s unique mix of critical minerals, renewable energy resources, supportive policies, and skilled workforce positions it to lead the way.

This is what we’re backing through Supercharge Australia, a collaboration between New Energy Nexus and EnergyLab. The program aims to support 150+ local startups, empowering them with mentorship, funding pathways, and global connections to expand Australia’s lithium battery value chain.

6 key insights from the webinar

1. Australia’s global opportunity is now

Australia is well-positioned to become a significant player in the battery-powered electrical transformation. Here’s why:

There are signals from state and federal governments that they want to move away from a fossil fuel-based export economy, such as:

• Signing an agreement with 40 other countries at COP28 to phase out offshore support for coal, oil, and gas projects;
• Passing the Future Made in Australia policy, which committed AU$22.7 billion over 10 years to build domestic capacity in green hydrogen, solar panel manufacturing, critical minerals processing, green metals, low‑carbon liquid fuels, and clean-energy manufacturing;
• Australia could be a leader in homegrown battery manufacturing, and critical minerals refining and processing; and,
• It’s building on a “globally competitive” battery export industry. Queensland alone is investing hundreds of millions into a sector that it believes will be worth US$1.3 billion by 2030, and can create up to 9,100 green jobs.

2. Mass EV retrofits could boost battery demand 20-fold

Retrofitting existing vehicles—especially commercial fleets—is a faster, cheaper, and lower-carbon way to scale EV adoption. Our second Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge spotlighted 12 startups electrifying everything from mining trucks to boats.

The current projection of a 65GWh demand for stationary storage by 2030 could be massively higher with mass EV retrofits. Multiplying Australia’s vehicles by their estimated battery capacity, turning half of Australia’s vehicle fleet into EVs could multiply local battery demand 20-fold to over 1.3TWh, enough to justify domestic cell production and build a full onshore value chain (more here).

3. Startups like Veepower are leading the way

Kyle Van Berendonck, founder of Veepower and Retrofit Nation challenge winner, introduced Veepilot: a drop-in EV brain that lets large garages and re-manufacturers, through to individual garages, convert vehicles to electric with professional and supportable software — a key concern of retrofit solutions.

After a tour of California’s thriving clean energy ecosystem with New Energy Nexus, Veepower is now raising AU$500K from climate-focused investors to scale in Australia.

4. Smart policy can unlock big impact

The discussion emphasized the need for policies to support battery retrofits, including:

• Support the emerging startup practitioners with ambitious non-dilutive government grant funding
• Launch an AU$100–200M finance facility for training to upskill workers and kit production for vehicle upgrade
• Establish mass EV retrofit precincts, particularly in regional Australia
• Prioritize public fleet conversions to seed early demand

These interventions could support thousands of upskilled ICE workers (such as mechanics and automotive electricians) and create a more circular, cost-effective battery and transportation economy.

5. Startup support is critical

Through tailored workshops, mentorship, and investor-readiness training, the Supercharge Australia Incubator aims to help founders bridge key gaps in prototyping, lab access, and commercialization. As Kirk McDonald and EnergyLab project lead Derick Gyabeng said in the webinar, early-stage startups need consistent, generous support to grow from an idea to an investment-ready solution.

Moreover, Supercharge Australia is leading a push to bring learnings from California’s best practice startup testing program, CalTestBed, to Australia. As part of the CalSEED-CalTestBed pair offering US$1M in non-matching and non-dilutive support to founders, startups can receive vouchers up to US$300K in value to use at the University of California and National Labs testing facilities across the state.

CalTestBed has supported over 150 startups with $45M in vouchers, with over 40% being received by women and under-represented founders.

6. Australia’s Leadership Can Power the Region

The country’s battery innovation doesn’t stop at its borders. With Southeast Asia on the path to rapid electrification, Australia’s EV retrofitting industry can serve a region set to reach 770 million people by 2050.

Supporting Australia’s battery supply chain at this stage could play a huge role in the region’s clean energy transition.

Why ‘Just Batteries’

Batteries are the linchpin of the clean energy transition. But how we build this industry matters as much as how fast we scale it.

At New Energy Nexus, we believe battery innovation must be just, inclusive, and community-led. Today, the battery supply chain is dominated by a few countries and companies, with little accountability to communities, workers, or the environment. Battery recycling and reuse are underinvested solutions. And left unchecked, the race for minerals and manufacturing could replicate the injustices of the fossil fuel era.

This is what our Just Batteries initiative addresses. We have supported 116 startups across the battery value chain—from extraction to recycling—while shaping an innovation ecosystem rooted in equity, access, and sustainability.

Our work spans the full ecosystem, from startup accelerators and testbeds to international market access, because building a clean energy future means backing entrepreneurs at every stage.

Join us, invest in these startups, and let’s supercharge the transition in Australia and beyond. Check out how you can support this initiative and more here.

The clean energy transition isn’t just happening in labs or boardrooms—it’s also being built on university campuses across the Philippines. At the heart of this movement are Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), which help entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into real-world solutions.

That’s why New Energy Nexus Philippines, together with UMWAD Consortium, DOST Region 6, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U), and Innovate Iloilo, recently hosted an Energy Incubation Program Training for university TBIs in Region 6. This hands-on training brought together 11 universities and institutions* from across the Visayas to build the skills, partnerships, and strategies needed to launch the next generation of climate-tech and clean energy startups.

Here’s what we learned—and why it matters.

1. 🚀 Energy innovation needs a boost from campus to market
From solar-powered aquaculture to digital energy audits, university teams in the Visayas are brimming with ideas. But many clean energy startups still struggle with business models and go-to-market strategies. TBIs are stepping up to fill this gap—but they need more support to guide founders from research to revenue.

2. 🔍 Manual energy audits are holding back progress
Several universities highlighted how energy auditing is still done manually—a time-consuming and inefficient process. Digitizing these audits presents a major opportunity for startups and researchers to develop tech-based solutions that can scale across the region.

3. 📚 Clean energy is sparking curiosity in classrooms
Interest in energy innovation is growing among students and faculty alike. At schools like the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, clean energy topics—from IoT to smart grids—are becoming central to research and student projects. That’s a strong sign of a rising talent pipeline.

4. 🏛️ Stronger university integration = stronger incubation
To thrive, TBIs need to be embedded into the fabric of the university—not siloed from students, researchers, or decision-makers. Active outreach and curriculum alignment can help make energy entrepreneurship a core part of the academic journey.

5. 🤝 Co-incubation is the way forward
NEX Philippines is inviting TBIs to co-incubate energy startups with us—combining resources, networks, and expertise. It’s a powerful model for supporting startups that are tackling the region’s biggest energy challenges. (This reflects NEX’s global strategy of ecosystem collaboration.)

6. 💸 Funding and experts are make-or-break for TBIs
TBIs need more than just enthusiasm. Sustained operations require access to technical experts, funding sources, and proven business models. Without this, even the most promising ideas risk stalling out before they leave the lab.

7. 🎓 Energy entrepreneurship needs to be taught
TBIs are exploring how to integrate clean energy into research, extension programs, and classroom instruction. Building climate-tech capacity isn’t just about startup competitions—it’s about transforming the entire education system to prepare innovators for the real world.

Mervin Perez of Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas HIVE TBI, presenting their startup incubation plan.

What’s Next for Region 6?

This training is just the beginning. NEX Philippines is already planning:

• Follow-up workshops on energy trends, startup mentorship, and sustainable business modeling
• Demo days and showcases to spotlight regional clean energy innovations
• Curriculum development aligned with energy entrepreneurship
• Ecosystem-building efforts that connect universities with funders, government, and private sector partners

Behind every climate-tech startup is an ecosystem that helped make it happen. And as this training showed, Region 6 is full of institutions ready to lead.

NEX Philippines is proud to support this momentum—and we’re just getting started. Find out more about our work in the Philippines!

The workshop brought together 11 TBIs and institutions across the region:

West Visayas State University BINHI TBI | University of the Philippines – Visayas Seeds TBI | Iloilo Science and Technology University KWADRA TBI | Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas HIVE | Northern Iloilo State University QUINTO | Capiz State University CAPSULE Agri-Aqua TBI | Central Philippines University CPUGAD TBI | Guimaras State University ISLA TBI | University of Antique | Coastline 5023: DOST – UP Visayas Fisheries TBI | Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology DIKE

A report from the International Energy Agency found that 35 percent of emissions reductions needed to reach net zero depend on technology that has yet to be commercialized. That’s why supporting early-stage clean energy innovators is critical to the energy transition and reducing emissions. California’s clean energy transition depends on better energy storage; some of the most exciting breakthroughs are happening now. The latest CalSEED Prototype Award winners are tackling big questions about battery lifespan, recyclability, and how we store power more efficiently and sustainably. From next-gen potassium-ion batteries to innovative battery recycling techniques, these startups are reshaping energy storage. Let’s look at five game-changing solutions in battery storage:

1. ExPost Technology: Giving Batteries a Second Life

We rely on lithium-ion batteries for everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, but what happens when they reach the end of their life? ExPost Technology is rethinking battery recycling—a process that extracts valuable materials without fully breaking down components.. This means less waste, fewer new materials needed, and a stronger circular economy for batteries—something we’ll need as energy storage demand skyrockets. Using Purification and Regeneration Integrated Materials Engineering (PRIME), ExPost recovers pristine quality battery components from battery scraps and end-of-life batteries. With its prominent economic, efficient, and eco-friendly process, this scalable method has the potential to reshape the battery recycling industry.

Photo from ExPost Technology

2. Project K Energy:Making Lithium-Free Batteries a Reality

Lithium has long been the go-to material for batteries, but it’s expensive and difficult to source sustainably. Project K Energy is developing potassium-ion batteries—a cheaper, longer-lasting alternative for large-scale energy storage. Since potassium is much more abundant than lithium, this technology has the potential to cut costs and make clean energy storage more accessible. Project K’s innovation lies in optimizing potassium-based cathode, anode, and electrolyte components with fundamentally different properties than their lithium-ion counterparts. The potential benefits of these potassium-ion batteries include faster charging, lower costs (and less price volatility), better performance at low temperatures, and improved safety.

3. Activated Energy: A Safer, More Sustainable Way to Store Power

Battery safety is a huge concern, especially when dealing with flammable or toxic materials. Activated Energy is reimagining energy storage—making it safer, sustainable, and even carbon-negative. Their innovative solid-state system stores energy by compressing carbon dioxide using eco-friendly materials, creating a compact solution that’s both scalable and long-lasting. Activated Energy’s product builds on compressed air energy storage (CAES) and CO2 energy storage combined with innovative solid-state sorption technology. It has reduced costs and sourcing concerns, as well as increased stability over lithium technologies. In addition to being non-toxic and nonflammable, the proprietary low-pressure storage technology reduces the footprint of the storage system, making it more suitable for congested urban environments than competing large-footprint gas-based storage systems, which require land resources most likely unavailable in urban areas. This long-duration energy storage system improves grid resilience for urban communities, reduces strain on electrical transmission lines, is non-flammable, and enables greater renewable energy adoption.

4. Sperra: Storing Energy Beneath the Ocean

One of the biggest challenges with renewable energy is ensuring we can store power when it is needed most. Sperra has a fascinating solution: Marine Pumped Hydroelectric (MPH) Storage. They’re designing 3D-printed concrete spheres on the ocean floor that store and release energy in sync with offshore wind farms. Unlike traditional energy storage, this system could last decades without losing efficiency. This approach bypasses the land use and permitting challenges that often limit pumped hydro projects. It can be deployed along coastlines or paired directly with offshore wind farms to boost efficiency and lower costs. With innovations like their patented multi-sphere “pod” design, automated 3D-printed manufacturing, and shared infrastructure with other ocean energy projects, Sperra is creating a new, cost-effective path for long-duration energy storage beneath the waves.

Sperra’s SPSH systems are designed to be manufactured in 2 MW to 5 MW modules in US ports using locally available materials and labor. Photo from Sperra

5. Aepnus Technology: Cleaning Up Battery Manufacturing

It’s not just about how long batteries last—how they’re made also matters. Aepnus Technology is working on a cleaner, more cost-effective way to produce lithium salts and other battery materials. By making the production process more sustainable, they’re helping reduce the overall carbon footprint of energy storage systems from the start. Aepnus Technology’s innovation uses electricity instead of fossil fuel-based chemicals, reducing waste disposal costs and mitigating carbon emissions, especially when powered by renewable energy. By integrating the system on-site, manufacturers can cut waste disposal costs and achieve up to 35% savings on chemical expenditures. This solution enhances the sustainability and circularity of the battery industry while addressing critical chemical management challenges and contributing to the decarbonization of emissions-heavy chemical manufacturing processes. Aepnus’s ultra-efficient electrolyzers run on renewable energy to process essential materials like lithium salts and other reagents. They are advancing a novel electrolysis platform that recycles sodium sulfate—a common chemical waste in the battery supply chain—into valuable reagents (sulfuric acid and caustic soda), essential for refining battery metals and manufacturing cathode active materials.

Where Energy Storage Is Headed 

The energy storage industry is evolving fast, and these companies are leading the charge toward longer-lasting, more sustainable solutions. Whether it’s recycling old batteries, developing new materials, or rethinking how we store power, these innovations will be critical in the clean energy transition. A future energy system won’t just rely on making better batteries—it’ll depend on keeping valuable materials in use through smart recycling and circular design. With continued investment and support, we’re looking at a future where energy storage isn’t just an afterthought—it’s a key pillar of a cleaner, more resilient, and circular power system. If these startups are any indication, the best is yet to come.

Each Earth Day, we’re reminded of the stakes. Wildfires, floods, and rising seas make it obvious that climate change isn’t just a looming threat; it’s here.

But amid the urgency, there’s also momentum on the solutions front—quietly building in labs, garages, solar farms, and startup accelerators around the world.

In over 20 years building ecosystems for climate and clean energy innovation, we’ve seen founders come up with ingenious ideas that are now driving decarbonization. Startups start small but can deliver exponential impact at scale, and we can actually model potential mitigated emissions as they grow (based on factors including current performance, projected growth trajectories, and market penetration rates).

In fact, from our portfolio of nearly 1,500 climate startups and businesses, we’re spotlighting seven that could collectively reduce over four million metric tons of emissions (CO2e) by 2030. That’s the equivalent of taking nearly 59,000 cars off the road. Learn more below.

Photo from Bedrock Energy

Bedrock Energy (United States)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2024): 32 tons
Potential emissions mitigated (2025-2030): 212,498 tons

Bedrock Energy is making geothermal heating and cooling viable for buildings in dense cities, through a proprietary drilling and tech platform that cuts cost, space, time, and risk by 3–5x. The company was named one of America’s Top Greentech Companies in 2024 by TIME and Statista. In early 2025, Bedrock raised US$12 million in Series A funding to advance and expand their technology.

Bedrock Energy joined our New York program The Clean Fight’s Food Service cohort, focused on decarbonizing the storage, distribution, and retail of food. On top of matchmaking opportunities, expert insights, and bespoke support services, Bedrock became eligible to receive up to US$125,000 to implement their demonstration project in New York State.

Hive Energy PH installs a 1.7kWh solar energy system for an off-grid community in 2021, then their largest project. Photo from Hive Energy

Hive Energy PH (Philippines)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2024): 127 tons
Potential emissions mitigated (2025-2030): 5,703 tons

Hive Energy PH delivers portable solar generators, battery storage, and solar installations to provide reliable, clean power—especially for underserved communities, students, and remote workers.

CEO & Founder Joseph Amiel Camingal first joined our online course with BARAS TBI in July 2020, where he sparked the idea for a portable energy backup solution. Six months later, he entered our Startup Acceleration Program to strengthen his business skills and scale his startup.

Now, Amiel is joining NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025 to further grow Hive Energy PH and expand access to sustainable, dependable energy across the country.

Kazam (India)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2022-2024): 35,310 tons

Kazam was founded by Akshay Shekar and Vaibhav Tyagi to make clean mobility more accessible. Today, it’s one of India’s leading EV charging networks—smart, affordable, and built for everyone, from two-wheelers to commercial fleets. With 50,000+ chargers deployed, Kazam is breaking down barriers to EV adoption nationwide.

Through our ElectronVibe program, Kazam partnered with an Indian utility to tackle real-world EV infrastructure challenges, earning first place in the 2022 EV Infrastructure Management Track.

In 2024, Kazam raised US$8 million in Series A3 funding to expand its network and boost its technology.

Sepion (California)

Potential emissions (CO2e) mitigated (2025-2030): 1.4 million tons

Sepion is advancing lithium-metal batteries that boost EV range by 40% and cut energy costs by 15%, using breakthrough membrane technology that protects lithium and integrates with existing lithium-ion manufacturing. In 2023, Sepion also developed an AI-driven liquid electrolyte that reduces EV fire risks.

New Energy Nexus supported Sepion early on through our CalSEED program’s concept and prototype awards, helping de-risk their membrane tech. This support enabled Sepion to retire key technical risks, close an oversubscribed Series A in 2021, and bring on Solvay as a strategic investor.

Solar Run Energy (China)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2024): 127 tons
Potential emissions mitigated (2025-2030): 5,703 tons

Li Xia grew up in rural China without electricity—an experience that inspired her mission to bring power to off-grid communities. In 2016, she founded Solar Run Energy, delivering clean, affordable solar solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, from solar lights to full home systems.

In 2022, she launched Solar Media, bringing solar-powered tablets with educational and vocational content to remote Kenyan villages—impacting over 3,000 people so far.

With support from New Energy Nexus, Li gained mentorship, capital access, and a global platform through the NEX COP28 Climate Tech Accelerator to scale her vision.

SWAP Energi (Indonesia)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2021-2024): 50,448 tons

SWAP Energi is a pioneering e-mobility start-up focusing on tech-driven swappable energy infrastructure, including portable battery packs, swapping stations, and SMOOT e-motorcycles in Indonesia. The company also developed a user-friendly SWAP Energi app, which helps riders locate stations, track reservations, and receive maintenance alerts.

New Energy Nexus supported them by connecting with investors, assisting with funding documents, and offering acceleration program guidance. As a result, SWAP Energi now operates over 800 swap stations across 14 provinces as of 2023.

Through partnerships with Grab and PLN, SWAP Energi is building an integrated EV ecosystem, advancing the adoption of electric motorcycles in Indonesia’s growing market.

Photo from Xurya Daya Indonesia

Xurya (Indonesia)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2020-2024): 225,673 tons
Potential emissions mitigated (2025-2030): 570,252 tons

In Indonesia, high upfront costs have long blocked businesses from switching to solar—slowing progress on climate goals and energy affordability. Xurya Daya solves this with an innovative zero-upfront-cost rooftop solar rental model, enabling commercial and industrial clients to access clean power without capital barriers. Xurya is scaling fast—deploying over 170 projects, and mitigating 225,674MT of GHG emissions since we first supported them.

New Energy Nexus, through its Indonesia 1 Fund, co-invested alongside East Ventures, Saratoga, and Schneider Electric in its US$21.5 million Series A round — the largest Series A funding ever raised by a clean energy startup in Indonesia. They have also received extensive support through programs we operate in Indonesia.

What else can be done?

Strong policy support
Governments must create a more conducive environment for climate solutions through procurement, tax incentives, and regulatory clarity—making it easier for entrepreneurs to start and scale their businesses.

Accessible, early-stage capital
Climate innovation is risky, but necessary. Blended finance, catalytic funds, and climate-aligned venture capital can unlock growth where private capital alone won’t go.

Thriving innovation ecosystem
Accelerators, manufacturing hubs, distribution networks, and cross-border partnerships are essential for solutions to move fast and far.

If you’re an entrepreneur with a groundbreaking climate solution, we’re here to support your success. Explore our programs and subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of opportunities in the sector.

Eva Lisa Adoremos, Senior Vice President of GAIA Corp—a participant of NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025.

While the Philippines’ startup ecosystem is expanding rapidly, clean energy startups remain underrepresented in mainstream acceleration programs.

According to the 2024 ecosystem report by New Energy Nexus (NEX) Philippines, there has been a sixfold increase in clean energy startups, collectively raising nearly $1.3 million. However, 87% of these funds came from grants and competitions, underscoring the sector’s reliance on non-investment-based funding sources.

Recognizing the need for targeted support, NEX Philippines launched NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025, an 8-month program dedicated to helping early-revenue and growth-stage clean energy and climate-tech startups scale their ventures. This year, six startups have joined the cohort, bringing innovative solutions across various sectors, from sustainable mobility to waste management and energy analytics.

Meet the startups with brilliant solutions in a country brimming with clean energy potential:

• Lycan Motorcycles – Lycan Motorcycles is a 100% Filipino-owner electric vehicle (EV) company that designs, engineers and manufactures bespoke electric motorcycles and energy systems. They are the first to develop an AI- and IoT-enabled motorbike in the country.
• Hive Energy PH – Hive Energy PH offers renewable energy-powered portable power stations as back-up power for island communities and businesses.
• GAIA Corp – Focused on climate adaptation, GAIA’s CoolRoof Program is a geoengineering approach that mitigates heat gain by applying reflective coatings on buildings to reduce indoor temperatures and lower energy consumption.
• Next2Fly – They provide a waste management solution through the use of black soldier flies. Next2Fly transforms organic waste into valuable resources such as larvae for animal feed and organic fertilizers.
• Light of Hope  –  Light of Hope brings its renewable energy (RE)-powered cloud grid units to off-grid communities as a source for backup power and alternative energy.
• Bayoa Analytics – Specializing in energy data modeling, Bayoa provides businesses with insights on energy trends and forecasts. Their expertise extends to hardware design (schematics, board designs, and prototyping) and software development, helping clients optimize energy consumption and efficiency.

Photo from Lycan Motorcycles, a participant of NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025

The impact of acceleration programs on clean energy innovation in the Philippines

Startup accelerators like NEXAccelerate Philippines are key to driving clean energy innovation. By providing mentorship, funding access, and business development support, they help startups tackle capital constraints, regulatory challenges, and market barriers.

This year’s cohort—Lycan Motorcycles advancing EV adoption, GAIA enhancing climate resilience with reflective tech, and Next2Fly innovating waste management through circular economy principles—are solving urgent environmental challenges. The program isn’t just about scaling startups; it’s about accelerating the Philippines’ energy transition through homegrown solutions.

With sustained support from investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, initiatives like NEXAccelerate are bridging the funding gap, strengthening ecosystems, and unlocking opportunities for climate-focused entrepreneurs—powering a cleaner, more resilient future.

NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025

The Philippines’ clean energy startup ecosystem is gaining momentum, with more entrepreneurs developing solutions to tackle climate change and advance the energy transition.

NEXAccelerate Philippines empowers startups with the skills, networks, and resources to secure investment and scale. The program includes tailored learning on fundraising and market expansion, expert mentorship, strategic networking, and pitching opportunities to investors and partners.