EnergyLab has revealed the 10 startups selected for its 2026 Climate Solutions Accelerator, which is funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The six-month program will help promising climate tech startups turn innovative ideas into real-world energy solutions. First run in 2017, the Climate Solutions Accelerator has supported hundreds of founders by helping them grow their businesses, attract investment and build connections with industry.
For the first time ever, this year’s cohort are all ‘hardware’ startups, working in electric vehicle charging, smarter energy management, industrial decarbonisation, critical minerals processing and sustainable materials.
ARENA is providing $1.64 million to support EnergyLab’s work developing Australia’s next generation of clean energy startups. The funding helps address a key challenge facing early-stage companies by giving founders access to expert advice, mentoring, investors and industry networks.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said supporting innovative Australian startups was critical to delivering new clean energy solutions.
“Australia’s energy transition relies on new ideas becoming practical technologies that people and businesses can use every day,” Mr Miller said.
“ARENA is delighted to be supporting EnergyLab’s Climate Solutions Accelerator program again. Early-stage companies that have taken part in the program in previous years have gone on to deliver real-world ARENA-supported projects. This is the kind of innovation pipeline Australia needs to achieve its clean energy ambitions.”
Companies that have come through EnergyLab’s Climate Solutions Accelerator and have gone on to receive ARENA funding, include Infravision, Renewable Metals, Orkestra and Amber.
EnergyLab CEO Megan Fisher said the program was designed to support companies at the stage where technical risk is highest and commercial capital is hardest to secure.
“Australia’s net-zero transition won’t happen through software alone; it requires physical assets, hardware and deep engineering. This all-hardware cohort represents the exact type of physical innovation needed to decarbonise our energy grid, heavy industry and material supply chains,” Ms Fisher said.
“ARENA’s support is crucial in helping us bridge the gap between working prototypes and commercial deployment. With ARENA’s backing, we can derisk these early-stage ventures so they can attract investment, scale and deliver long-term value for Australia.”
The accelerator program begins this month, with a showcase event set for December in Sydney. Registrations are open here
