Applications close on 21 August for the 2026 ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase, presented by Innovation Bay in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), with selected startups to pitch their businesses before investors, corporates and policymakers in Sydney on 14 October.
Returning for its seventh year, the showcase will bring together more than 100 angel investors, venture capital firms, private equity representatives and corporate venture capital investors with founders developing renewable energy and climate technologies.
The event is designed to create opportunities for founders to introduce emerging technologies and build relationships with investors and organisations involved in Australia’s renewable energy sector.
Platform for emerging businesses
The showcase is open to Australian startups working in renewable energy, clean technology and climate technology.
Innovation Bay and ARENA say the event aims to connect founders with investors, corporate organisations and policymakers while providing access to businesses developing technologies focused on energy generation, storage and transport.
Successful applicants will present their businesses directly to attendees from across the investment and energy sectors.
The Showcase will showcase Australian startups (pre-seed to Series A) across any of the pillars, including but not limited to:
• Clean fuels & molecules
Example: Low-carbon liquid fuels, SAF, hydrogen, ammonia, bio & e-fuels
• Grid transformation & electrification
Example: Grid-enhancing tech, transmission, electrifying industry & transport
• Energy for AI & compute
Example: Clean firm power & efficiency for data centres; flexible load
• Firm clean generation & storage
Example: Ultra-low-cost solar, wind, geothermal, long-duration storage
• Distributed energy & storage at scale
Example: Rooftop solar, home & community batteries, VPPs, DER orchestration
• Cross-cutting enablers
Example: Critical minerals, MRV, project finance, water, etc.
Previous participants report commercial outcomes
According to Innovation Bay and ARENA, founders who participated in previous showcases secured an average of about two investor meetings.
Participant feedback found that 80 per cent considered the peer group developed through the showcase highly valuable. Founders also reported improved credibility, greater visibility, stronger investor pitches and broader professional networks after taking part.
The showcase has also featured companies that have since attracted substantial investment, including Hysata, which has raised $172 million, RayGen with $127 million, and Sicona with $22 million.
Building connections across the sector
The showcase provides businesses developing renewable energy technologies, including those emerging from regions such as the Hunter, with an invaluable opportunity to present their work directly to investors and organisations looking to support commercial growth.
Tickets are also available for those who wish to attend the October 14 Showcase, with prices starting at $189. Go here for more information.
