Algenie Team
Australia’s leading clean energy and climate tech startup accelerator, EnergyLab, has unveiled the ten startups selected for its 2025 Climate Solutions Accelerator bringing together a new wave of innovations addressing the most urgent challenges in the global race to net zero.
In 2024, EnergyLab alumni in Australia raised $147 million in private capital, representing one in every four dollars invested in Australian clean energy and climate tech startups, according to the Cut Through Venture State of Startup Funding report. This week, EnergyLab alumni NRN (National Renewable Network) added to that momentum with a $67 million Series A capital raise ($17 million in equity and $50 million in debt) — one of the largest climate tech funding rounds in Australia.
Now in its twelfth cohort since launching in 2017, the program has supported some of Australia’s most successful clean energy and climate tech startups — from breakthroughs in energy storage, grid optimisation, and dynamic retail, to cutting-edge solutions in critical minerals recovery, carbon utilisation, and circular manufacturing. Alumni include Infravision, whose drone-enabled line-stringing systems are now being deployed by major network operators worldwide to accelerate grid upgrades, and Allegro Energy, which raised $17.5 million in Series A funding to commercialise its recyclable, water-based battery chemistry and recently unveiled a 100kW / 800kWh battery at Origin’s Eraring Power Station.
“For almost 10 years now we have focused on helping world-class solutions get out of the lab and into the real world,” said Megan Fisher, CEO & Director of EnergyLab. “The last two to three years have been a turning point for the climate tech innovation ecosystem in Australia with the sector now consistently sitting towards the very top of the investment table for venture capital.”
The 2025 Climate Solutions Accelerator cohort brings together a new wave of technologically advanced and globally focused founders. Among them are some of the country’s most experienced climate entrepreneurs, including Nick Hazell, former founder and CEO of V2 Foods, and Warwick Johnston, CEO of solar analytics firm SunWiz.
They join teams working on urgent decarbonisation challenges spanning food waste reduction, energy efficiency, carbon markets, methane abatement, and industrial emissions — sectors where cost-effective, real-world deployment is critical to impact at scale.
Meet the 2025 cohort
Agscent’s breath-based diagnostic technology detects pregnancy, disease, biosecurity threats and methane in livestock—like a breathalyzer for cows. Non-invasive, accurate, and fast, it uses licensed NASA nano sensors to deliver early, affordable results for the global dairy and livestock industry.
“Methane reduction is the handbrake on climate change at 80 times the effect of CO2. Our technology empowers producers to substantially cut their livestock’s methane emissions. We’re excited to join the Climate Solutions Accelerator to pull this handbrake hard and fast when it comes to livestock emissions.”
Bronwyn Darlington, Founder & CEO, Agscent
Algenie is building a breakthrough algae production platform, combining low-cost, scalable photobioreactors with AI-powered strain optimisation. The goal? Make it radically more scalable and cheaper to grow algae and unlock sustainable feedstock for food, fuel, and materials. Algenie is building a world where raw materials come from carbon, not cause it.
“EnergyLab’s Accelerator program comes at the perfect time for Algenie. We’re not just building a company, we’re pioneering a new industrial paradigm, and having access to EnergyLab’s remarkable community of innovators, advisors, and capital partners will supercharge our ability to scale this world-changing technology”
Nick Hazell, Founder & CEO, Algenie
BioDefense reduces food waste and emissions with an edible coating that extends the shelf life of perishable proteins. With pilots underway and growing traction with retailers, they’re making a tangible dent in emissions across the cold chain.
“We’re honored and incredibly excited to join EnergyLab’s Accelerator program. This opportunity will be instrumental in connecting us with key players in the field, providing the support we need to scale our solution, and ultimately making a greater impact on food waste reduction and emissions across the supply chain.”
Amit Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, BioDefense
Blue Carbon engineers self-powered, marine-grade systems that harness ocean energy to deliver off-grid water, air, and data solutions. Their modular oPod
technology powers aquaculture, desalination, reef cooling, and giga-scale carbon capture.
“We are honoured to be selected into EnergyLab’s Accelerator program. As we ramp up our commercialization schedule, EnergyLab’s specialist network and seasoned support infrastructure are crucial for Blue Carbon. We can now take the big step up from endurance testing to full scale production with confidence.”
Dr. Ana Novak, Co-founder & CEO, Blue Carbon
Brightspace creates AI-driven digital twins of buildings to optimise energy use and cut emissions in the built environment. Early pilots are helping major asset owners improve energy performance.
“We’re thrilled to have been selected for EnergyLab’s Climate Solutions Accelerator. As a startup focused on developing and deploying the layer of Edge-AI data collection buildings need to adapt for net zero, we see EnergyLab’s extensive network of mentors, investors, and industry partners as crucial to scaling our solution across Australia and Southeast Asia.”
Robert de Burgh-Day, CEO, Brightspace
Bspkl is making green hydrogen more affordable with their catalyst-coated membranes that dramatically cut electrolyser costs. By improving the performance of electrolysers, their technology helps accelerate the shift to zero-emissions fuels in sectors like energy and transport.
Captivate Technology’s novel adsorbent captures carbon dioxide from industrial flue gases more efficiently and at a lower cost, making it easier to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. Now piloting, their solution is designed for rapid deployment at industrial scale.
Flipped Energy is developing technology to help energy retailers unlock the benefits of demand response and dynamic pricing. Their platform supports grid flexibility and enables smarter use of renewable energy.
Geoneon uses Earth observation, AI, and data fusion to map wildfire risk and vegetation at a global scale. Their technology supports governments, utilities, and international organisations and emergency services in making data-informed decisions for bushfire management, water planning, and disaster response—enabling faster, more effective climate resilience strategies.
“We’re thrilled to join EnergyLab’s Accelerator alongside such a strong cohort. As we scale Geoneon’s wildfire and vegetation models globally, the program offers invaluable support to help us grow into our next stage—sharpening our strategy and accelerating our impact.”
Roxane Bandini-Maeder, Co-founder & CEO, Geoneon
SunWiz is Australia’s go-to market intelligence platform for the solar, battery and heat pumps, driving smarter renewable energy decisions nationwide. SunWiz’s data on market share, product characteristics, pricing, market trends, and leading installers is now available globally, accelerating growth and improving the impact of clean energy businesses across the world.
“We are excited to have been accepted into EnergyLab’s Accelerator program. We’re not the first to use Australia as a springboard to the world, and we value the opportunity to connect with and learn from people who’ve successfully navigated that journey before us. EnergyLab’s support will be invaluable in our success.”
Warwick Johnston, Founder, SunWiz
Whats Next
In the months ahead, EnergyLab will connect the 2025 cohort with industry partners, sharpen their sales strategies, open doors to commercial opportunities, and connect them with investors. The program will also help founders prepare for capital raises and develop international expansion plans — ensuring they leave ready to scale their impact in Australia and beyond.
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 270 startups and 190 aspiring founders through its various programs.
EnergyLab’s programs include the Women in Climate and Energy Fellowship building the next generation of women founders; the Climate Tech Ignite Program supporting aspiring and early-stage founders to generate, test and launch their startup idea; the Climate Tech Lab to Market supporting researchers & PHD’s to bring their ideas to market; the Climate Tech Charge Program supporting startups to build traction, connect with investors and acquire seed funding; the Climate Tech Investment Ready Program which supports QLD-based founders to raise VC capital; the Climate Solutions Accelerator helping startups deploy their solutions; the Scaleup Program for later stage clean energy startups connecting into industry; Supercharge Australia, a joint program with New Energy Nexus to build the lithium battery value chain startup innovation ecosystem; the Going International Bootcamp supporting startups to enter international markets and a climate focused angel investor network.
EnergyLab operates a climate focused angel investor network with over 200 angel investors, a mentor network with over 400 experts, and co-working space at UTS in Sydney and RMIT in Melbourne. All of these services are leveraged to support the clean energy and decarbonisation startup ecosystem in Australia.
EnergyLab Alumni: https://energylab.org.au/
EnergyLab Programs: https://energylab.org.au/
INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.
Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au
Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!
