Clean energy and climate tech startup accelerator, EnergyLab, has selected 10 startups for its 2025 Climate Solutions Accelerator
This is the 12th cohort since launching in 2017, helping develop ideas ranging from breakthroughs in energy storage, grid optimisation and dynamic retail, to critical minerals recovery, carbon utilisation, and circular manufacturing.
Earlier this month, alumni startup National Renewable Network (NRN) raised $17 million in a Series A, while Allegro Energy raised a $17.5 million in Series A last year to commercialise its recyclable, water-based battery chemistry, and recently unveiled a 800kWh battery at Origin’s Eraring Power Station.
EnergyLab CEO Megan Fisher said the program focuses on helping ideas get out of the lab and into the real world
“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,” she said.
Among the 2025 cohort are some of the country’s most experienced climate entrepreneurs, including Nick Hazell, former founder and CEO of V2Foods, and Warwick Johnston, CEO of solar analytics firm SunWiz.
Other teams are working on urgent decarbonisation challenges across food waste reduction, energy efficiency, carbon markets, methane abatement, and industrial emissions.
Here’s the 2025 cohort:
Agscent
Agscent’s breath-based diagnostic technology detects pregnancy, disease, biosecurity threats, and methane in livestock — like a breathalyser for cows.
Agscent founder Bronwyn Darlington
Non-invasive, accurate, and fast, it uses licensed NASA nanosensors to deliver early, affordable results for the global dairy and livestock industry.
Founder and CEO Bronwyn Darlington said: “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.”
Algenie
Algenie is building a breakthrough algae production platform, combining low-cost, scalable photobioreactors with AI-powered strain optimisation.
Algenie founder Nick Hazell
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.
Founder and CEO Nick Hazell said the accelerator program comes at the perfect time for his latest startup.
“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,” he said.
BioDefense
BioDefense cofounders Sheetal Sinha and Amit Kumar.
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.
Cofounder and CEO Amit Kumar said “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.”
Blue Carbon
Blue Carbon
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.
Cofounder and CEO Dr Ana Novak said “As we ramp up our commercialisation 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.”
Brightspace
The Brightspace team
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.
CEO Robert de Burgh-Day said “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.”
Bspkl
Bspkl founder Christina Houlihan
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
Flipped Energy’s Roxane Bandini-Maeder
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.
Cofounder and CEO Roxane Bandini-Maeder said “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.”
SunWiz
SunWiz is Australia’s go-to market intelligence platform for the solar, battery and heat pumps, driving smarter renewable energy decisions nationwide.
SunWiz founder Warwick Johnston
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.
SunWiz founder Warwick Johnston said “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.”
