The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened a $30 million funding program targeting an early-stage financing gap that can make it difficult for clean energy technologies to progress towards commercial use.
Launched on 16 September, the Launchpad program divides funding equally between early-stage startups and organisations that provide them with specialist support.
The program covers technologies aligned with ARENA’s priorities, with the Australian Government identifying areas including low-cost solar, energy storage, distributed energy, transport, renewable hydrogen and green metals.
For NSW clean energy businesses and organisations supporting startups, the national program provides a new funding opportunity focused specifically on the early stages of technology and business development.
Up to $1 million for early-stage startups
The $15 million Startup Funding Round primarily targets pre-seed to seed-stage companies developing renewable energy technologies and products.
Successful applicants will receive grants of $500,000, with up to a further $500,000 available for projects with high capital expenditure requirements.
ARENA expects the competitive round to support between 15 and 30 companies.
The agency said the funding was intended to help startups improve the technical and commercial readiness of their technologies, address early funding gaps and become better positioned for subsequent public or private investment.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said early-stage funding could be difficult to secure for energy and climate technologies that require considerable time and capital to develop.
“We have heard from startups that they need a simpler and faster pathway to smaller amounts of funding that will help them reach their next technical or commercial milestone.”
Applications for the Startup Funding Round close at 4 pm AEDT on 28 October 2026, with successful applicants expected to be announced in mid-December.
Funding the organisations around startups
The other $15 million has been allocated to an Ecosystem Funding Round for Australian organisations that help early-stage renewable energy businesses develop and grow.
Accelerators, incubators and other support providers can apply for grants of up to $5 million to deliver multi-year programs.
ARENA said these programs could address capability gaps beyond access to capital, including commercialisation, business establishment, regulatory processes, customer development, investor engagement, technical development, engineering and project delivery.
The ecosystem funding is also intended to help startups develop stronger pathways to investors, customers and technology deployment.
Unlike the competitive startup round, the Ecosystem Funding Round is open and non-competitive and will remain available until its $15 million allocation is exhausted.
Earlier entry point to ARENA funding
Launchpad is primarily aimed at companies at an earlier stage of development than those typically seeking support through ARENA’s existing programs.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the program was intended to help startups develop and demonstrate technologies and attract subsequent investment.
“Australia has a strong research and innovation base, but a good idea needs backing to get off the ground.”
The program also gives organisations working with emerging clean energy companies an opportunity to seek funding for the support structures surrounding technology commercialisation, rather than funding being directed solely to individual projects.
ARENA will hold two online information sessions on 23 September, with the Startup Funding Round webinar from 1 pm to 2 pm and the Ecosystem Funding Round webinar from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm.
