Photo from TERA-Award

The effects of climate change are becoming harder to ignore, from extreme weather to rising energy demands. But alongside these challenges is a powerful opportunity to rethink how the world is powered.

Around the world, entrepreneurs are creating clean technologies that cut pollution, protect communities, and open new pathways for sustainable growth. To turn this wave of climate innovation into lasting change, we need to spotlight the startups driving it and give them the tools and connections they need to scale.

That is where the TERA-Award plays a vital role. Now in its fourth edition, the platform provides promising climate technologies with the spotlight, connections, and funding they need to grow faster and reach more people.

This year, New Energy Nexus China helped bring some of the best ideas to the table. Out of a record-breaking 785 entries, nine of the 28 finalists were startups we recommended – including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, plus five Merit Award recipients. Together, they took home over US$1.15 million in prizes and, more importantly, the resources and networks to turn their solutions into global impact.

The winning startups

Gold Winner – Barocal (United Kingdom)

Barocal is transforming cooling and heating by replacing harmful refrigerant gases with solid-state materials. Developed over 15 years at the University of Cambridge, the technology delivers higher efficiency, lower costs, and lower emissions, tackling major environmental challenges head-on.

Its retrofit-friendly design integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure, making it easier for industries to adopt greener, more cost-effective systems.

“Build better products, not just greener ones… If you can offer solutions that are cheaper, smaller, faster, or more flexible and more sustainable, you’re in business.” – Florian Schabus, CCO

Photo from Barocal

Silver Winner – Feon Energy (United States)

Feon Energy is reinventing battery electrolytes with novel molecules that make batteries safer, more powerful, and more energy-dense – without raising costs or disrupting manufacturing. Its drop-in technology is proving itself today in high-performance markets such as drones and UAVs, and is already being developed with partners in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

With the potential to boost energy density by 50% while cutting lithium use by up to 40%, Feon is accelerating adoption across the battery industry and building trust through real-world validation and long-term collaboration.

“For the first time in human history, we have the tools to engineer our environment and our planet’s future, not just adapt to it… The impact you create can shape the world for generations to come.” – Wenxiao Huang, CEO and co-founder

Photo from Feon Energy

Bronze Winner – Syzygy Plasmonics (United States)

Syzygy Plasmonics uses a plasmonic photocatalyst to drive chemical reactions with light instead of heat from combustion. Their NovaSAF platform transforms biogas from landfills or dairy farms into sustainable aviation fuel, tackling emissions from both waste and air travel.

Highly energy-efficient and made from low-cost materials, the technology offers an accessible and scalable path to decarbonizing aviation, while unlocking value from underused resources.

“Expect that things won’t work immediately and you will have to try again and again… If you do not give up and you do not get discouraged, eventually you will find success.” – Trevor Best, CEO

Photo from Syzygy Plasmonics

Beyond the podium finishers, five out of 11 Merit Awardees were also recommended by New Energy Nexus China:

• Electra Vehicles
• Feynman Dynamics
• Gasgene
• HAWAGA Energy Storage
• Twelve

Why it matters

For three years, New Energy Nexus China has partnered with the TERA-Award to connect it with our global network, promote the competition, and help bring advanced green energy solutions to market. This year, the startups that won through our pipeline did not only bring home huge prizes – they’ve proven that when entrepreneurs get the right support, their ideas can reach the global stage and have a far greater impact than where they started.

At New Energy Nexus, we build ecosystems that help climate tech entrepreneurs thrive. That means giving them access to mentorship, funding, technical expertise, and markets where their solutions can make a difference. With entrepreneurs like TERA-Award leading the way, backed by our programs across the world, we’re fast-tracking the shift to 100% clean energy for all.

Ready to unlock your own startup’s potential? Find out how we can support you here.

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.

Antora thermal battery on a crane.

Antora Energy is no longer a startup to watch; it’s a force to be reckoned with in the race to onshore American manufacturing and decarbonize industry. But before it raised $150 million in Series B funding, partnered with industrial giants, or landed on the pages of Fast Company and The Wall Street Journal, Antora was an early-stage startup facing a very familiar challenge: proving that the tech worked.

Back in 2019, that’s where CalSEED stepped in.

The Innovation: Turning Heat into Electricity

Antora’s core innovation is a thermal battery system that stores renewable energy as heat in inexpensive, earth-abundant materials. While Antora’s first product outputs that energy as industrial heat to drive manufacturing processes, its second product will also convert that heat back into electricity using thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells. These cells function like solar cells designed to capture the wavelengths of light from Antora’s glowing-hot carbon blocks inside the battery.

This approach unlocks cost-effective, long-duration energy storage—the solution California and other clean energy leaders need to power the industry and ensure grid reliability as they deploy more intermittent energy resources, such as wind and solar.

But when Antora applied to CalSEED, the concept was still early. The company needed to prove that its TPV cells could reliably deliver electricity at the required efficiency, durability, and scale.

The Support: What CalSEED Made Possible

With support from the CalSEED Concept and Prototype awards, Antora conducted critical engineering validation and reliability testing of its TPV technology.

Throughout the grant in 2019, Antora:

• Characterized over 100 TPV cells, measuring reflectance, electrical performance, and power density
• Tested complete module prototypes at 1500°C conditions to simulate real-world battery operation
• Ran thousands of hours of reliability tests, de-risking failure modes, and validating lifespans
• Improved design and manufacturing processes, incorporating feedback from stress tests and failure analysis

This work helped establish that Antora’s TPV technology could convert heat to electricity at efficiencies of 40%+ and operate under extreme conditions with minimal degradation. More importantly, it laid the foundation for scaling production and building investor confidence.

“The work of this project, including the thousands of hours of reliability that have already been demonstrated, has greatly de-risked the commercial viability of TPV in long-duration energy storage.”
— Antora Energy, CalSEED Final Report

The Results: Rapid Growth and Real-World Impact

Since completing the CalSEED project, Antora has:

• Grown to over 200 employees
• Raised a $150 million Series B in 2024 from investors including Decarbonization Partners (BlackRock & Temasek)
• Opened a U.S. thermal battery factory in San Jose, CA, and launched the world’s first dedicated manufacturing line for TPV cells
• Secured multiple grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, including a recent $14.5M ARPA-E award

The company’s technology is now seen as a leader in powering industry with clean, low-cost energy. Antora’s batteries can keep industry running 24/7, even during extreme heatwaves and wildfire shutdowns.

Why It Matters: A Clear Path to Grid Decarbonization

Thermal energy storage, like Antora’s, could save California $1.5 billion annually, improve grid reliability, and reduce 25 million metric tons of CO₂ annually. That’s equivalent to taking nearly 6 million cars off the road. [Source]

And it all started with a prototype.

Antora’s success is a textbook example of how CalSEED helps bridge the “valley of death” for climate tech startups—de-risking early innovations, validating performance, and clearing the path from lab to market.

From Concept to Commercialization with CalSEED’s Spark

Every major clean energy company was once a concept seeking support. Antora’s journey demonstrates that targeted, early-stage funding and validation programs, such as CalSEED and CalTestBed, make the difference between promising ideas and scalable solutions.

Antora is now powering toward a clean future, and CalSEED helped light the way.

CalSEED Story: Antora

This story was originally posted by CalSEED.fund, our program in California.

Ten pioneering startups from across the lithium battery value chain presented their vision of Australia’s battery sector to an engaged audience of investors, policymakers, and industry participants at the inaugural Supercharge Australia Incubator Pitch Day.

After three months of tailored support from EnergyLab and New Energy Nexus, these founders now stand poised to accelerate the country’s battery manufacturing capabilities –  with solutions ranging from raw material innovation, marine applications, embedding safe energy storage into our living spaces, to cell reuse and repair.

Here are the participating startups and their lithium battery value chain focus:

• Adoxima, Carbophite, Voltavate: Carbon emissions-free, better, and cheaper lithium battery materials
• InnovoltIQ: Cell production
• Li-ion Energy and Sustainable Lithium Cells Australia: Reuse, repair, and recycling
• Naut: Marine electrification
• Net Zero Energy Solutions: V2G adoption acceleration
• Noizend: Enhancing battery energy storage system (BESS) community livability via intelligent noise-cancellation
• Powerblocks: Embedded energy storage

The completion of the first Incubator marks a key milestone in Supercharge Australia’s broader mission – to support over 150 startups in the lithium battery value chain and catalyse a thriving, interconnected lithium battery innovation sector – by adding a second program focused on supporting earlier-stage startups. The new program provided mentorship, expert advice, pilot opportunities, early customer connections, investor engagement, and international exposure, helping the teams to build the foundations of Australia’s battery future. We thank all of the experts for their generous contributions.

Launched in 2022, Supercharge Australia has now completed two Innovation Challenges. With the addition of the Incubator, it is now supporting 31 startups that have raised over AU$71 million in funding since they participated in its programs.

Building a circular battery value chain

Australia has a generational opportunity to move beyond exporting lithium ore and build a competitive, homegrown battery value chain. The startups in this year’s Incubator show how this is already taking shape: connecting technologies across the life cycle of a battery, from production to application to reuse. Their innovations don’t just solve isolated problems; they strengthen each link in the chain, multiplying impact along the chain to make the entire system cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient. This is how Australian batteries can compete.

Together, they demonstrate what a circular, high-value battery ecosystem could look like:

• Producing battery components with higher performance, many times lower costs, CO2 emissions, and up to 99% less production wastage – thanks to Adoxima, Carbophite, and Voltavate
• Manufacturing lithium battery cells at scale – with InnovoltIQ facility producing their first 500 MW per annum
• Deploying batteries in end-use applications – such as marine electrification (Naut) and vehicle-to-grid systems (Net Zero Engineering Solutions)
• Integrating batteries into communities – through quieter energy storage (Noizend) and attractive, modular battery systems for shared spaces (Powerblocks)
• Recovering value at end-of-life – with smart reuse and recycling solutions from Li-ion Energy and Sustainable Lithium Cells Australia

With coordinated support, these early-stage innovations can accelerate Australia’s transition from resource supplier to battery technology leader.

Backing Australia’s battery future

Australia remains the world’s leading lithium producer, supplying over one-third of global demand. With the global lithium battery market still forecast to be significantly undersupplied by 2030, Australian producers are seeking efficiency improvements and are investing in downstream opportunities to secure vertical capacity and greater profitability.

Each startup in the Incubator cohort is developing a critical piece of the emerging ecosystem and the kinds of investment opportunities the sector is seeking. Their solutions highlight the scale of opportunity when early-stage innovation is backed with intent, speed, and coordinated support.

While early traction for the cohort members was strong – from prototypes to paid pilots – the startups were all facing the same uphill challenge: securing capital, facilities, and support to go from validated concepts to scalable commercial impact. The Incubator addresses this gap by de-risking particularly early innovation, reducing barriers to commercialisation, and helping Australia retain its battery IP rather than lose it offshore.

Powering the clean energy transition

As global warming trends continue toward a 3°C pathway, and the risks of overshoot, consequent tipping points, and heavy reliance on unproven carbon capture and storage technologies rise, building a high-functioning cleantech sector that can dramatically accelerate decarbonisation becomes a strategic, global imperative.

Batteries power the clean energy transition, making it an important piece of this response – and battery startups have tremendous potential to pave the way, especially when supported early.

To further develop this economic opportunity, Australia can adopt proven models like our CalTestBed program in California, which turned US$22 million in early-stage testing access into over US$438 million in follow-on investment by offering non-dilutive, non-matching grants to startups solving big climate problems. If a similar system were applied here, it would rapidly increase the volume and readiness of battery startups ready to attract private capital or integrate into gigafactory supply chains.

“Building Australian lithium battery capability begins with supporting innovation at its earliest stages — with non-matched and non-dilutive funding to produce prototypes, pilots and real-world testing opportunities,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager at Supercharge Australia.

Australia has a generational opportunity to do the same: Supercharge Australia is calling for new initiatives to:

• Provide non-dilutive, non-matching seed funding for early-stage lithium battery value chain startups.
• Open access to testing, certification, and demonstration facilities.
• Support pilot customers and fleet procurement to validate new tech.
• Connect investors and government with the pipeline of founders building the sector.

To continue building the momentum for this sector, our next program is launching now. This will be our third Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge – applications are open.

The inaugural Supercharge Australia Incubator cohort

Rooftop solar panel. Stock photo

A recent study by Ateneo de Manila University, published in Challenges in Sustainability, sheds light on the persistent barriers preventing the widespread adoption of rooftop solar power (RTSP) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Led by Professor Rosalina Palanca-Tan, the study surveyed 403 respondents to understand why households remain hesitant to invest in solar technology despite its clear economic and environmental benefits.

The study’s findings were recently featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, sparking a public discussion on its Facebook post, which highlighted several recurring concerns: high upfront costs, lengthy return on investment (ROI) periods, bureaucratic hurdles, technical challenges, and a lack of government support. Let’s look into the key challenges raised around rooftop solar adoption, and explore potential solutions.

A word cloud generated from people’s responses on the Facebook post.

Why aren’t more Filipinos switching to solar?

1. High cost of installation and ROI concerns

Many consumers cited the high initial cost of installing solar power systems as a major barrier. The upfront investment often matches several years’ worth of electricity bills, making it difficult for households to justify the expense. Additionally, long return-on-investment (ROI) periods discourage adoption, particularly in the absence of accessible financing options.

2. Lack of financing options

Access to financing remains a significant barrier to rooftop solar adoption. With limited options for low-interest loans or flexible payment schemes, households struggle to afford the initial investment, making solar installations less accessible to the broader public, especially to residential consumers.

3. Regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles

The slow and complex application process for net metering was another major concern. Many consumers reported waiting over six months and encountering excessive requirements that hindered their ability to connect their solar systems to the grid.

4. Service and maintenance issues

Some consumers highlighted issues related to improper system sizing, inefficiency, and high maintenance costs. Concerns included roof leaks due to poor installation, the lifespan of batteries, and the disposal of solar panels. These barriers make the transition to solar more challenging for prospective users.

5. Quality of solar technologies & local manufacturing

The absence of local solar manufacturers results in reliance on expensive imported components. Concerns about substandard or inefficient technologies make consumers hesitant to invest.

6. Lack of government support and incentives

Unlike countries such as Australia and Canada, which offer tax breaks, subsidies, and no-interest loans, the Philippine government provides minimal financial incentives for residential RTSP. This lack of support further discourages households from making the switch to solar energy.

7. Limited competition in the market

The industry is still dominated by a few major players, limiting consumer choices and competitive pricing. More players entering the market could drive innovation and lower costs through competition.

Who’s addressing these gaps?

At New Energy Nexus Philippines, we recognize that overcoming these barriers requires a multi-faceted approach—one that not only enhances technical expertise but also builds trust within communities. This is why it’s important to empower the solar industry, especially smaller players, with the right tools and knowledge to drive solutions forward. Our programs, particularly the Solar Innovation Program (SIP) and Solar Community Meetups, are designed to do just that.

Strengthening the Solar Industry

SIP provides targeted support for solar PV installers, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies, and solar equipment suppliers to improve their competitiveness in the market. Through learning sessions and workshops, participants gain essential knowledge in:

• Addressing common challenges in closing deals with clients;
• Effectively promoting and marketing their services;
• Exploring financing mechanisms with financial institutions to make solar more affordable for households; and;
• Expanding business opportunities beyond residential installations.

By empowering solar entrepreneurs, SIP tackles concerns related to business growth, financing gaps, and limited competition in the market. A stronger and more competitive solar industry ultimately leads to better installation quality, reduced costs, and more accessible financing options for households.

SIP 2024 graduates during the culminating activity in Cebu City.

Building Trust in the Industry

Beyond technical training, shifting public perception is crucial for accelerating RTSP adoption. Our Solar Community Meetups serve as a bridge between solar entrepreneurs, technical experts, policymakers, and consumers by fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. These gatherings provide a space for entrepreneurs to exchange insights and share best practices, address bureaucratic challenges with government stakeholders, streamline net metering processes, and advocate for stronger policy support. Additionally, they highlight success stories from early adopters, encouraging more households to consider solar power.

By fostering an ecosystem of collaboration and trust, Solar Community Meetups contribute to addressing skepticism and misinformation surrounding RTSP. The insights gathered from these discussions also help inform future policy recommendations, ensuring that the needs of solar entrepreneurs and consumers are effectively addressed.

DOE Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol presenting the Department of Energy’s renewable energy plans at the SCM in Davao.

A collective effort for solar growth

The concerns raised in the Facebook post reflect the frustrations and aspirations of many Filipinos when it comes to solar energy adoption. While challenges such as high costs, bureaucratic red tape, and technical difficulties persist, programs like the SIP and Solar Community Meetups provide platforms that empower solar entrepreneurs to drive industry-wide improvements.

Panel discussion during the SIP 2024 culmination featuring Hon. Nestor Archival (Cebu City Government), Engr. Titus Ragrario (Jinko Solar), Engr. Richard Alfafara (Visayan Electric Company – VECO), and Engr. Woodrow Pino (Woodrow Solar Power), sharing insights on accelerating rooftop solar adoption. Photo

Ultimately, expanding the adoption of RTSP in the Philippines requires a collective effort from businesses, the government, private companies, and Filipino communities. By equipping solar entrepreneurs with knowledge and resources, and by fostering trust through community engagement, we can create a more inclusive and resilient solar industry that benefits both consumers and the environment.

Want to get more involved in the Filipino clean energy space? Learn more about our programs in the Philippines here.