The Allan Labor Government is supporting 16 tech start-ups to develop new ideas that will help create more renewable energy and lower power bills.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio today announced the businesses that will take part in the CivVic EnergyTech Challenge.
Delivered by LaunchVic the CivVic Labs challenge gives start-ups the support they need to test, refine and develop their ideas and deliver practical outcomes for Victoria's energy system and consumers.
The group will work on delivering advancements in smart solar batteries, electric vehicle charging and next generation electricity grid maintenance powered by drones and artificial intelligence.
Each start-up will receive $10,000 in equity-free funding to take part in a 12-week accelerator program from August this year. Four of the most promising ideas will be awarded an additional $35,000 to help take their solution further at the end of the program.
The Challenge has two key streams. The Empowering People and Communities stream aims to help households and small businesses take up renewable technologies, while the Powering the Grid of the Future stream is focused on technology that can transform how energy is generated, stored and distributed.
Victoria is home to more than 3,500 start-ups and has a start-up ecosystem worth $132 billion, providing an innovation network that can support Victoria's legislated renewable energy targets of 65 per cent and at least 2.6 GW of energy storage capacity by 2030.
The full list of start-ups from both streams can be found at launchvic.org
As stated by Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D'Ambrosio
"This program is about finding solutions to support households, businesses and the grid as we move towards a renewable future and lower power bills."
"We're backing local innovation because we know Victorian start-ups have the creativity and drive to solve complex challenges."
As stated by Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson
"Victoria is on track to be one of the world's leading startup hubs. Our thriving sector is outpacing Singapore, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Berlin. We are backing startups because they drive jobs and our economy."
As stated by LaunchVic CEO Dr Kate Cornick
"LaunchVic's CivVic Labs program has now helped more than 100 startups connect with government, co-design with real end users and develop businesses ready to launch into market."
