The ARENA Renewables Showcase is on the hunt for startups to pitch for funding

The annual ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase is heading to Melbourne this year, with applications now open for startups interested in taking part.

Pioneering startup network Innovation Bay and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) have teamed up again  for the fourth showcase, which takes place on Wednesday, November 1, at Cargo Hall in Melbourne.

They’re looking for early stage founders in the renewables, cleantech and climatetech sectors, ready for funding, to apply to pitch at this year’s event, with four founders and companies chosen to pitch to a live audience on the day. You can apply to  be part of the pitch here.

Tickets for this year’s event will go on sale this week. You can register your expression of interest to attend here.

More than 100 of the country’s leading venture capitalists and angel investors,  are expected to attend the ARENA Renewables Startup Showcase, bringing funding, connections, and advice to the table. Previous events have featured drone stringing system, Infravision, solar manufacturer 5B, and “solar thermal” pioneer RayGen go on to raise capital amid building new connections for success.

On top of the pitches, the showcase also features thought leadership panel on the future of emerging technologies in the renewable energy sector, a gala dinner and networking opportunities.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the showcase is now the premier event in the cleantech sector matching the best startups with investors.”

“Supporting startups in the renewable energy and climate change sector is important to ARENA. Some of our greatest ideas and innovations originate from startups and entrepreneurs and we need to encourage all available talent and new business models to help us to achieve our goal of net zero emissions,” he said.

“We have funded some incredible startups along the way, including MGA Thermal and Infravision, who both pitched at last year’s Renewables Startup Showcase. Innovation Bay is all about bringing together innovative startups with private investment to boost growth of these amazing new technologies.”

Innovation Bay CEO Phaedon Stough said the November showcase fills him with enthusiasm and pride.

“The talent we have in this country in the renewables, climatetech and cleantech sector is incredible. Every year we run this event alongside ARENA the more encouraged I become for the future,” he said.

“Being the vehicle to shine a light on the sheer talent and innovation of companies in this space is truly inspiring.”

The deadline for founder pitches is midnight on Friday, September 1.

Apply here.