Australia’s Anodean and Vietnam’s Volterra win first Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge open to Southeast Asia

Melbourne, 28 October 2026 – Startups backed by Supercharge Australia, the battery startup program run by New Energy Nexus and EnergyLab, have raised AU$212 million since joining and now work at every stage of the battery value chain, from minerals and materials to cells, packs, end uses and recycling. 

The two organizations published the findings today in Closing the Loop, an analysis of the program’s 59 startups, at All Energy Australia in Melbourne. At the same event, solid-state battery cell developer Anodean and Vietnam’s Volterra were named winners of the 2026 Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge, the first cohort open to startups from Southeast Asia.

Closing the Loop maps where the program’s 59 startups work along the battery value chain, how much they have raised since joining, and how far recycling could reduce the world’s need for new mines. Key insights from the data:

• The portfolio covers every stage of the battery value chain. Supercharge Australia now includes 13 startups in minerals and materials, five in cell manufacturing, five in battery packs, 30 in end uses and six in recycling. End uses remain the largest group, mostly from the earlier cohorts built around electric vehicle retrofits.
• These startups have secured AU$212 million since joining the program. First-cohort alumni Sicona Battery Technologies (AU$83.7 million), Syenta (AU$50.6 million) and Renewable Metals (AU$28.1 million) have raised the most. The program’s first three Innovation Challenge winners each work at a different stage of the chain: battery recycler Renewable Metals in 2023, electric vehicle retrofitter Veepower in 2024 and critical minerals processor Liberate Minerals in 2025.
• Recycling could reduce the need for new mines. Recycled material supplied around 6% of lithium, 5% of cobalt and 1% of nickel demand in 2023, according to Fastmarkets. The International Energy Agency projects that recycling could meet 20 to 30% of demand for the three metals by 2050 if governments deliver their climate pledges, cutting the need for new lithium and nickel mines by 25%, and for new cobalt and copper mines by 40%. Recycling startups in the portfolio include Renewable Metals; Evermatter, which recovers reusable battery materials from industrial wastewater; and SheRecycles, which routes batteries that slip outside standard collection into verified recycling.

Australia mined about a third of the world’s lithium in 2025, more than any other country, according to the United States Geological Survey. It is also close to Southeast Asia, which the International Energy Agency expects to account for a quarter of global energy demand growth to 2035, second only to India. Battery investment already moves between the two: Brisbane-based StB Capital Partners funded the Philippines’ first lithium iron phosphate battery factory, which opened in 2024 with plans to export most of its output, including to Australia.

“Australia produces a large share of the world’s lithium and captures a fraction of the value it creates further down the chain. This year’s founders are refining lithium, making battery materials and developing new cells in Australia, and with founders from Southeast Asia now in the program, we are building that capability alongside neighbors who are growing battery and electric vehicle industries of their own,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager, Supercharge Australia.

“Minerals, battery materials, and cells are the most challenging and capital-intensive parts of the battery value chain, but they are also where Australia builds genuine sovereign capability, long-term energy security and economic productivity. We are seeing incredible ambition from founders stepping into these complex stages. To help them reach commercial scale and anchor those high-value supply chains locally, they need patient investment, early pilot customers, and simplified access to capital,” said Megan Fisher, Chief Executive Officer, EnergyLab.

Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge winners

This year’s Innovation Challenge was the program’s first cross-border round. Anodean, which is commercializing solid-state battery cells with double the energy density and lower capital costs for new production, was named best Australian startup and wins guided market entry and a funded visit to Southeast Asia.

Volterra, from Vietnam, builds energy management software for electric vehicle charging networks that matches demand to available supply, raising efficiency and throughput. It was named best Southeast Asian startup and wins the same support to enter Australia. Both prizes are delivered through New Energy Nexus programs in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

“Winning the Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge is a huge boost for our team and gives us the backing to take Anodean to the next stage. Our technology has the potential to enable a generational leap for mobility applications in mining and long haul transport here in Australia. The opportunity to expand in Southeast Asia will also opens doors to new partners and customers, enabling us to scale in one of the fastest growing regions globally,” said Swaroop Tulsidas, CEO at Anodean.

“Winning means a great deal to our team and gives Volterra a real opportunity to grow beyond Vietnam. The support to enter Australia will help us build new partnerships and reach new customers, and we look forward to bringing our technology to the Australian market,” said To Lang, CEO, Volterra.

Verdant Ion, aiming to grow the world’s graphite battery anodes by converting oils to graphene and then to battery grade graphite won the People’s Choice award.

“Winning the People’s Choice Award validates our belief that the only way to solve the world’s impending massive deficit in battery anodes is to grow it. We’ve already scaled literally a billion-fold from our first nanoscale lab success. We’ll grow anodes in Australia, South East Asia, and beyond,” said Tim van der Laan, CEO at Verdant Ion.

Closing the Loop, including the startup dashboard, recycling projection and methodology, is available here.

About EnergyLab

EnergyLab is Australia’s largest climate tech startup accelerator and innovation network, backing founders who are building the technologies that will accelerate the transition to net zero. With more than 350 startup alumni, EnergyLab connects entrepreneurs with the mentors, partners, and investors they need to grow and scale. Each year, EnergyLab delivers ten programs that support founders at every stage of development – from ideation and launch to global expansion – helping position Australia as a leader in clean energy and climate innovation.

The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Workshop, organized by New Energy Nexus in partnership with the People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS).

16 April 2026, Manila, Philippines — A new joint study by People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS) and New Energy Nexus highlights that stronger collaboration between the Philippines and China can accelerate renewable energy deployment in the Philippines and achieve its clean energy ambitions, while creating shared economic and technological benefits for both countries.

The report, Bridging Opportunities: A Roadmap for China–Philippines Renewable Energy Cooperation, identifies strategic pathways toward long-term cooperation that foster mutually beneficial partnerships between Chinese and Philippine stakeholders, support entrepreneurs, and expand access to affordable clean energy.

The report comes at a critical time as the Philippines targets 35% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040, while fossil fuels still account for roughly 78% of the energy mix. This transition has become more urgent amid the ongoing fossil fuel crisis affecting the country, which imports 98 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East, according to the Department of Energy. Continued reliance on imported fossil fuels exposes the Philippines to volatile global prices and supply disruptions.

“Today’s oil crisis is a reminder that the Philippines remains highly exposed to global fuel shocks. What this report shows is that the solution is already within reach. Scaling local solar and backing Filipino entrepreneurs to deliver it. With the right partnerships, we can accelerate deployment while building domestic capability, jobs, and more affordable energy for households and businesses,” says Brenda Valerio, Country Director at New Energy Nexus Philippines.

While diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China span five decades, collaboration in renewable energy remains limited. The study finds that the opportunity is not simply in increasing capital flows, but in structuring partnerships that drive shared growth, including joint ventures, local manufacturing partnerships, knowledge transfer, and technical capacity development that anchor value within the Philippines.

Chinese renewable energy companies bring extensive experience in technology, manufacturing, and large-scale deployment. The study finds that collaboration should expand to distributed and community-based solutions such as rooftop solar and microgrids, which can be deployed faster and help address grid constraints.

“This can be a perfect match. The Philippines has rich renewable resources and urgent needs, while China has strong capacity and readiness. Together, we can deliver clean, safe, and affordable electricity for Filipino communities,” says PACS Executive Director Xiaojun Wang. “The longer we hesitate, the more we lose.”

The report shows that implementation challenges persist, particularly in areas such as grid integration, financing access for smaller players, permitting processes, and technical standardization, issues that affect both large developers and small enterprises.

The report identifies six priority pathways for collaboration, including rooftop solar expansion, off-grid solutions for remote communities, emerging technologies, EV–solar integration, technical capacity development, and circular economy initiatives. It also calls for closer collaboration between government, local developers, financiers, and Chinese suppliers to streamline permitting, improve financing access, and strengthen technical standards. Such collaboration can also support regional expansion opportunities through joint ventures and innovation partnerships that build long-term regional value.

The findings are based on surveys and interviews with more than 50 renewable energy developers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts from both countries.

As the Philippines works toward increasing the share of renewables in its energy mix, the report argues that collaboration, when designed to empower local innovators and diversify supply chains, can accelerate progress while ensuring that economic value and expertise are built domestically.

Read and download the full report here.

About People of Asia for Climate Solutions

People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS) is dedicated to advancing people-centered climate solutions. We create narratives, build new networks, and establish innovative platforms where different puzzle pieces come together into the vision. Our organization operates through both a China-based team and a Philippines-based team, working to build bridges and strengthen communication between China and climate-vulnerable countries on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Winners with Natalie Mendelsohn, Counsellor, Infrastructure and Climate Change, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs

Jakarta, November 19, 2025 – Five Indonesian startups have been selected to receive funding support from the KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurs Program after impressing the judging panel at the Demo Day Pitching during the [RE]Spark Clean Energy and Climate Startup Festival 2025. The support marks a major boost for local innovation that offers real solutions to energy transition and climate challenges, while helping to expand the benefits of clean energy to communities across Indonesia.

The five selected startups represent leading innovators that bring concrete solutions to local clean energy needs and climate resilience. They are:

• Difabike, a Yogyakarta-based startup offering three-wheeled electric motorcycle services designed specifically for persons with disabilities.
• Energi Timur Nusa Power, a Sumbawa-based startup focused on optimizing micro hydropower plants in remote villages.
• Gawirea (Girls and Women in Renewable Energy Academy), an organization that empowers rural women through renewable energy education and entrepreneurship.
• NUSACUBE by PT Alana Green Electric, a technology provider that produces ice blocks and clean water using solar power and wind power.
• Sumba Solusi Alam, developer of PowerWells, affordable solar power units made from recycled electronic waste.

Jonathan Gilbert, Minister-Counsellor, Head of Economic, Investment and Infrastructure at the Australian Embassy in Indonesia, stated that Australia is investing more than AUD 200 million to support Indonesia in expanding access to climate finance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating the shift toward clean energy. He highlighted that this support aims to ensure that clean energy innovation reaches not only major cities such as Jakarta but also regions including Kupang, Manado, Sumba, and Sumbawa.

Jonathan Gilbert speaks at the event.

“At the heart of KINETIK is a simple belief that the energy transition must be inclusive and locally led. This means ensuring that women and people with disabilities have equal opportunities to lead and benefit from the energy transition and green economy,” Jonathan said during his remarks on Saturday, 15 November, at Menara Danareksa in Jakarta.

He added that innovations emerging from this program are expected to support Indonesia’s efforts to achieve its Net Zero Emissions target by 2060 or earlier. According to Jonathan, when communities design and own their solutions, those solutions last. They reflect local realities, use local resources, and create local jobs.

Diyanto Imam, Director of New Energy Nexus Indonesia, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting innovators and entrepreneurs across Indonesia. He emphasized that energy and climate transition solutions must come from local areas, drawing from local ideas, knowledge, and wisdom.

Diyanto Imam speaks at the event.

“We strive to harness local knowledge and combine it with our experience over the past six years to continue supporting the growth and real-world impact of innovators across Indonesia,” Diyanto said.

The urgency of these innovations is reinforced by data from the Joint Research Center of the European Commission, which highlights the continued rise of greenhouse gas emissions, increasing atmospheric concentrations, and worsening global warming. In 2024, the Earth’s surface temperature reached a new record of 1.6°C above the pre-industrial average.

One of the funding recipients, Difabike, stated that this support will help accelerate business expansion not only through its Difaride service but also through the development of Difabox and Difatour to strengthen long-term sustainability.

Triyono speaks at the event.

“This support is essential to advance our services. It will help us fully develop Difabox and Difatour so that the quality of Difaride remains strong and the sustainability of Difabike grows even further with new breakthroughs,” said Triyono, CEO of Difabike.

KINETIK NEX is an initiative delivered by New Energy Nexus in collaboration with KINETIK, the Australia-Indonesia Climate, Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Partnership. It is a flagship program aimed at growing Indonesia’s green economy and accelerating energy transition.

Through KINETIK NEX, this partnership promotes inclusive growth by supporting clean energy and climate technology startups in Indonesia. The program empowers local innovators, creates green jobs, and encourages climate solutions beyond major urban centers. It supports bold ideas for a prosperous Indonesia and a thriving planet.

New Energy Nexus is a global accelerator and funding ecosystem that supports clean energy entrepreneurs from early-stage technologies to deployment and adoption. In Indonesia, New Energy Nexus works to strengthen an ecosystem that supports innovators, startups, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in the clean energy and climate solutions sector.

Photo from the People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS) Facebook page

Manila, Philippines, 29 October 2025 – As part of its goal to strengthen renewable energy cooperation between China and the Philippines, New Energy Nexus in partnership with the People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS), through the Climate Actions in Renewable Energy (CARE) Project, hosted solar training partners and program alumni in the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Workshop held in China from October 13 to 16, 2025.

The four-day workshop immersed participants in the latest developments in solar PV technologies with one of China’s pioneering solar panel manufacturers. The sessions also provided insights into emerging trends in distributed renewable energy (DRE), solar manufacturing, and potential areas for collaboration between Chinese and Philippine enterprises.

The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Workshop, organized by New Energy Nexus in partnership with the People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS).

“The activity [PV workshop] was an invaluable opportunity to strengthen our local partners’ technical knowledge while building bridges for future cooperation in the renewable energy sector,” said Brenda Valerio, Program Director of New Energy Nexus Philippines.

The visit also contributes to the development of the Project Opportunity Map, CARE’s main output that identifies opportunities for collaboration between Chinese renewable energy enterprises and Philippine stakeholders.

Participants of the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Workshop, organized by New Energy Nexus in partnership with the People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS).

The Filipino delegation was composed of New Energy Academy solar training partners and Solar Innovation Program alumni who have been instrumental in expanding the country’s clean energy workforce and promoting solar innovation.

• R.A.R Ventures Incorporated (EcoSolutions)
• Sunstruck Solar Solutions Inc.
• Salfer Engineering and Solar Technology Enterprise
• S.P.A.R.C. Solar Power Installation Services
• Photovoltaic Solar Centre
• SJ Renewable Energy
• G-Power Solartech
• Skipper’s Electronics Engineering Services
• T-North Training Consultancy Services
• Hive Energy PH
• GG Automation Construction Services
• Solar King Electrical Trading
• 10K GDC Commercial Inc.

“This experience reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering our training partners and alumni with global perspectives and technical expertise. Learning from one of the world’s most advanced solar markets, we hope that these technologies and insights can be adopted and made available in the Philippines, helping our local solar industry champions continue to grow and evolve,” said Jacob Taguinod, Partnerships Manager of New Energy Nexus Philippines.

“The PV workshop in China was inspiring, humbling, and deeply encouraging. It showed us how passionate entrepreneurs can unite around a shared vision for renewable innovation and how advanced PV technology has already become, from solar benches to zero-carbon housing.”

These experiences are critical stepping stones that have bolstered our resolve. They encourage us (solar installers) to push beyond mere profit and focus instead on ambitious advocacy. Having seen these advanced solutions realized in practice, we now know the future we envision for our country is not a distant concept, but a tangible reality we can immediately begin to implement,” said Richmond Reyes, President of EcoSolutions Philippines.

The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Workshop, organized by New Energy Nexus in partnership with the People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS).

Through the CARE Project and initiatives such as the PV Workshop, New Energy Nexus continues to advance cross-border knowledge sharing and support solar entrepreneurs to contribute to advancing the country’s renewable energy market.

About the CARE Project

The Climate Actions in Renewable Energy (CARE) Project is a strategic initiative led by New Energy Nexus (Philippines and China) in partnership with People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS). It aims to foster cross-border collaboration in clean energy deployment by supporting Chinese enterprises in navigating the Philippine renewable energy market and promoting knowledge exchange between both countries.

Berkeley, USA – September 16, 2025 –  New Energy Nexus (NEX) today announced that Henri van Eeghen will conclude his tenure as CEO, as the organization moves further into a locally led model catalysed under his leadership.

Over the past year, Henri has guided NEX in placing more decision-making and delivery power with its country Chapters, while focusing the global team on providing the right support and expanding the network’s collective impact and footprint in new markets. With that shift well underway, the responsibilities of the CEO role have evolved, and the Board and Henri have agreed that this is the right moment for a leadership transition.

To ensure continuity and stability, Andrew Chang, New Energy Nexus’ Chief Growth Officer, will step up as CEO. Andrew’s focus will be to lead the global team’s next phase: supporting Chapters worldwide, strengthening partnerships in new markets, and keeping delivery focused and effective.

Janet Dalziell, Chair of the Board, said: “On behalf of the Board, I want to extend our deep gratitude to Henri for his leadership during a pivotal stage in NEX’s journey. He helped advance our shift to a more locally led network: empowering Chapters and setting the organization up for success. As NEX enters its next phase, we’re confident the organization is strong, resilient, and well-positioned to expand its impact.”

Henri van Eeghen said: “It has been a privilege to serve New Energy Nexus at such a crucial juncture. Together, we prepared the organization to operate as a truly networked entity, driven by empowered Chapters and entrepreneurial partnerships. With that direction underway, the timing is right for a leadership transition. I am proud of what we’ve achieved and confident in the global team’s ability to deliver at scale.”

Andrew Chang said: “NEX is built on the strength of its Chapters and the clean energy entrepreneurs we serve. I am deeply committed to the mission, having spent more than nine years at NEX leading a Chapter, growing new markets, and launching new initiatives. That experience has shown me that as a network of local leaders, we are greater than the sum of our parts.

“As CEO, my focus will be on ensuring our Chapters have the support and resources they need to succeed, while deepening the partnerships and programs that help them thrive. Building on the path Henri set for us—and by keeping our global team steady and effective—we will expand NEX’s impact as a truly global network for clean energy entrepreneurship.”

Henri, who will be on hand to advise the new leadership, departs with the respect and gratitude of the entire NEX community. The Board is confident that the CEO will provide stability and clarity as the organization moves forward, and that NEX remains well-positioned to fulfill its mission to accelerate the clean energy transition, with clean energy entrepreneurship at its core.

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.

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

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.

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.”

Sydney, 18 September 2024 – The second annual Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge announces today a new cohort of 12 startups with solutions to rapidly convert half the Australian vehicle fleet to electric vehicles (EVs), equivalent to more than 10 million vehicles.

The Challenge aims to find solutions that can deploy up to 1.3TWh of batteries that would be required to reach this goal, starting with approximately 600GWh of heavy truck and bus batteries (plus up to 25GWh for  mining), 400GWh for light trucks and commercial vehicles and 260GWh for passenger vehicles [1].

The startups selected for the cohort are:

• Australian EVS, Newcastle, NSW: light commercial EV retrofits for councils and fleets.
• Cuedo Controls, Melbourne, VIC: efficient EV software control systems for the entire retrofit market.
• Eclass Outboards, Kiama, NSW: electric outboard and marine hybrid retrofits for pleasure craft and fishing fleets.
• Electric Power Conversions Australia (EPCA), Hazelmere, WA: EV retrofitting mining haul trucks from 100 tonnes and up
• Electromotiv, Canberra, ACT: EV retrofitting buses for public transport and private fleets
• Evans Electric, Sydney, NSW: EV powertrain hardware and software developer specialising in axial flux motor development including e-axles
• IonDNA, ACT and NSW: power electric ATVs, utility vehicles, and farm tools from electricity generated via on-site solar power infrastructure.
• Jaunt, Melbourne, VIC: EV conversion systems for classic cars and specialist commercial vehicles.
• Net Zero Engineering Solutions, Adelaide, SA: bi-directional EV charging solution.
• OZ Electric Vehicles, Logan City, QLD: battery upscaling and “flat pack” EV retrofit kits.
• “Project Midas,” Sydney, NSW: next-generation graphene anode technology, improving lithium-ion battery performance and safety.
• REVR, Melbourne, VIC: Minimised installation requirement mass EV retrofit kits.

“This is the first innovation challenge of its type in Australia to focus on mass EV retrofitting vehicles. With the incredible increase in battery demand this would generate, we aim to change the conversation on the viability of battery and cell manufacturing in Australia, taking advantage of our huge competitive advantage in the lithium battery supply chain,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager for Supercharge Australia.

“Not only would retrofitting half the Australian vehicle fleet to electric vehicles rapidly reduce emissions from transport, it would also support a big capacity uplift in our startup innovation ecosystem and clean energy advanced manufacturing,” said Megan Fisher, CEO of EnergyLab.

Participants in the inaugural Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge in 2023 raised over AU$48 million in funding subsequent to the first Challenge. Applicants this year will benefit from technical support, networking, mentoring, wide exposure and introductions to investors and customers in an industry roundtable to accelerate their success.

Delivered over two months with most sessions online, startups will receive advice from international and domestic experts in finance, IP and business growth, and pitching the opportunity to investors. This will culminate in the second Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge Awards event, in Sydney on November 7.

The winning startup will also have the opportunity to join an expert guided visit by Danny Kennedy, EnergyLab Director and Venture Partner at New Energy Nexus Ventures, to California’s startup ecosystem, centred in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“It’s a perfect time to showcase the world-beating ambition and technical know-how this team has to decarbonise half Australia’s vehicle fleet, all with Australian-made lithium batteries,” said Danny Kennedy.

The Challenge aims to rapidly decarbonise the transport sector and accelerate battery demand.  In 2022 the transport sector contributed to 19% of Australia’s emissions, with trucks, buses and light commercial vehicles accounting for about 40% of the total transport figure. The potential CO2 savings are critically important; and vehicle acquisition cost savings of up to 50% per vehicle in comparison to new purchases have been identified in overseas markets.

Supercharge Australia is accelerating the lithium battery value chain in Australia, and is a joint project of not-for-profit cleantech startup support organisations New Energy Nexus globally and EnergyLab in Australia and New Zealand.

Notes:

Photos are available here.

[1] Calculations apply expert-advised current and at-scale estimates of lithium battery, electric motor, software control systems, wages and ancillary design and other costs to the Australian vehicle fleet data from Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics. “Motor Vehicles, Australia, January 2022 (First Issue).”

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 over 1,200 startups, supported nearly 9,000 entrepreneurs, and mobilized over US$3.7 billion in investment. Celebrating 20 years 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. More at www.newenergynexus.com

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 195 startups and 140 aspiring founders through its various programs.

In addition to running 10 programs, EnergyLab operates a climate focused angel investor network with over 200 angel investors, a mentor network with over 400 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.

Sydney, 16 May 2024 – The second annual Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge, “Retrofit Nation”, is launching today in Sydney during Climate Action Week. The Challenge is calling on startups to rapidly convert half the Australian vehicle fleet to electric vehicles (EVs), which is over 10 million vehicles.

One of the immediately viable opportunities lies in retrofitting existing heavy vehicles with lithium batteries to support the move to an electric vehicle fleet. In 2022 the  transport sector contributed to 19% of Australia’s emissions. Trucks, buses and light commercial vehicles account for about 40% of the total transport figure and the industry comprises a relatively small group of decision makers that can accelerate change.

A recent report from Beyond Zero Emissions shows that battery technologies are emerging as one of the most promising sectors for Australia’s economic growth and decarbonisation efforts, potentially creating up to 20,000 jobs and AU$114 billion revenue by 2035.

The Challenge is open to startups, entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers are to develop and present solutions to questions such as:

• What are the next-generation drivetrain solutions and battery technologies we can apply and how do we produce them at scale?
• How do we invent and apply advanced manufacturing techniques?
• What are the software solutions to integrate drivetrain upgrades with existing vehicle technology, to add advanced driver-assist technologies and to maximise their energy storage benefits (Vehicle-to-Grid)?
• How do we most efficiently train and upskill the workforce required to complete the retrofits and adhere to safety compliance?

Startups receive prizes, support, networking and mentoring to accelerate their success.

“Transport is an obvious target for reform, particularly in Australia with our reliance on road freight and use of mining vehicles. We need to encourage the supply of more EV’s sooner into the Australian and global markets. Putting electric motors and batteries into existing vehicles at scale and massively increasing Australian battery demand is a sure-fire and fast-track way of getting it done,” said Danny Kennedy, CEO New Energy Nexus.

“The mass EV retrofit opportunity can help to upskill the Australian workforce including electricians, mechanics, software developers with critical skills in advanced manufacturing, batteries and EV’s – essential for our economy in the future. The Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge will unleash innovation from the startup community  and capture ideas that show how we can make this mass EV retrofit opportunity a reality,” said Megan Fisher, CEO EnergyLab.

“Australia produces half of the world’s lithium yet retains less than 1% of the value it produces. We can’t just keep sending our lithium offshore where others capture its value. It’s time we change this, together,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager Supercharge Australia.

“We’d need AU$181 billion worth of batteries to retrofit half the Australian vehicle fleet, or 20x our current near term forecast demand to 2030. This quantity would de-risk and incentivise lithium battery and cell production in Australia, in the best case using our world-class renewable energy resources.

“So, in support of the Prime Minister’s ‘Future Made in Australia’ initiative, there’s even broader advanced battery manufacturing ecosystem advantages as reasons to proceed and we look forward to seeing the innovative solutions that we know Australian startups are so good at.”

Participants in the inaugural Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge raised over AU$40 million in funding subsequent to the first challenge. The second Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge will uncover more opportunities for rapid support and growth for Australian solutions.

The second annual Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge, “Retrofit Nation”, will launch on Thursday 16 May at 3pm (AEST) at EnergyLab Sydney: 4-12 Buckland St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia. Journalists are welcome to attend.