Powering up energy entrepreneurs

Michael Ferguson,Minister for Science and Technology

In an Australian, and possibly world first, Launceston is set to become home to a combined Energy-Internet of Things (IoT) hardware start-up accelerator led by EnergyLab, partnering with a local tech firm.

The Hodgman Liberal Government is a strong supporter of the ICT sector in Tasmania, which is why we’re investing $900,000 to help turn the concepts of Tasmania’s best and brightest into viable, real-world products and services which supplements our commitment to Tasmania’s burgeoning start-up community via the Enterprize Hubs in Launceston and Hobart.

The EnergyLab Energy-IoT Accelerator will receive $150,000 of this funding to support local tech start-ups to develop their ideas, guide them over the hurdles of creating innovative products, and take their concepts to market. The program will reach, support and inspire local entrepreneurs, innovators and founders to develop and innovate within the clean energy sector.

It will also capitalise on EnergyLab’s international energy and business networks to attract global talent, partner and collaborate with local entrepreneurs, and provide mentoring to help new Tasmanian businesses establish themselves in this rapidly growing marketplace.

Clean energy startups are particularly challenging enterprises that have to tackle everything from business planning, hardware development and design, manufacturing, regulation, incumbent players, and the time it takes to overcome these issues.

The Energy-IoT Hardware Acceleration Program will provide solutions to these challenges and help put Launceston on the map as a location for innovation and entrepreneurial development in clean energy. Further unlocking Tasmania’s potential as the renewable energy Battery of the Nation.

EnergyLab, an established Australian-based startup accelerator, was selected to establish and operate the new Tasmanian start-up accelerator through a competitive expression of interest process run by the Office of the Coordinator-General.

It is anticipated that additional partners will also join the Tasmanian Government’s Start-up Accelerator program in the near future.

EnergyLab is supported by Climate KIC Australia, UTS Sydney, Freshwater Group, Yurika Pty Ltd and KPMG.

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