The Smart Energy Council welcomes the Australian Government’s new $30 million ARENA Launchpad program, which will help early-stage Australian clean energy businesses turn promising technologies into commercial solutions.
Announced today by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Launchpad is designed to address the early-stage funding gap that can prevent emerging technologies from progressing beyond development and into the market.
The program will support Australian startups working across areas including renewable energy, low-cost solar, battery storage, distributed energy resources, smart transport, electrification and technologies that can reduce emissions across Australian industry.
Smart Energy Council Chief Executive Officer David McElrea said the program represented an important investment in Australian innovation, jobs and energy security.
“Australia has extraordinary renewable energy expertise and no shortage of smart people developing technologies that could transform our energy system,” Mr McElrea said.
“However, early-stage businesses often face a difficult gap between developing a promising technology and having the capital, commercial support and industry connections needed to bring it to market.
“The Launchpad program directly responds to that challenge. It will give emerging Australian businesses an opportunity to develop their technologies, demonstrate their commercial potential and attract the investment needed to grow.
“Many Smart Energy Council members are already driving innovation across solar, storage, distributed energy, smart transport and electrification. This program could help the next generation of these businesses grow, create skilled jobs and deliver practical solutions that strengthen Australia’s energy security.
“We congratulate Minister Bowen, ARENA CEO Darren Miller and the Australian Government on this important initiative. Supporting innovation at the earliest stages will help build stronger Australian companies and ensure more Australian ideas become real-world technologies.”
The Smart Energy Council also welcomes the program’s recognition that funding individual startups is only one part of building a successful innovation sector. Half of the funding will support organisations that provide startups with acceleration, incubation and other specialist services. These organisations can help emerging businesses strengthen their commercial capabilities, engage customers and investors, navigate regulatory requirements and bring their technologies to market.
Two funding opportunities
The Launchpad program includes two funding streams:
- Startup Funding Round: $15 million to support early-stage Australian clean energy startups. Successful applicants will receive $500,000, with up to a further $500,000 available for projects with significant capital requirements. Applications close at 4 pm AEDT on 28 October 2026.
- Ecosystem Funding Round: $15 million for organisations that provide acceleration, incubation and other support to Australian renewable energy and electrification startups. Grants of up to $5 million are available, and the round will remain open until the available funding is exhausted.
The Smart Energy Council encourages members developing innovative technologies or supporting early-stage renewable energy and electrification businesses to explore the opportunity.
Find out more
Members and other interested organisations are encouraged to attend the relevant webinar and review the complete program guidelines, eligibility requirements and application documents on the ARENA Launchpad website.
Questions about the program can be directed to Launchpad@arena.gov.au.
Media contact: media@smartenergy.org.au – 0448 972 192
