16 September 2026
Climate Capital Forum has welcomed the Australian Government’s new Launchpad funding program for early-stage climate and renewable energy startups, announced by Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) alongside the ‘Australian Built 2026’ climate tech showcase in Canberra today.
The commitment aligns directly with long-standing advocacy by the Climate Capital Forum to accelerate the deployment of public capital into domestic clean energy innovation.
The funding allows critical innovations - spanning energy storage, hydrogen, green metals, grid technologies, and clean digital platforms - to move rapidly out of the lab and into the market while retaining intellectual property and capability within Australia.
"ARENA has heard the message from the cleantech, renewable energy and decarbonising innovators that the money needs to get out the door faster and more effectively, so our own companies can succeed in the global market,” said Blair Palese, founder of Climate Capital Forum.
"Australia's window to lead on cleantech is closing fast, and today's announcement shows the government is listening.
"The demand for clean energy is skyrocketing in Australia and around the world. We need to respond with the fastest possible funding and investment. This boosts the crowding in of private investment, getting projects to market faster," said Ms Palese.
Tim Buckley, director of think tank Climate Energy Finance, a member group of Climate Capital Forum, said "It's excellent to see ARENA funding being accelerated to stimulate early stage ventures in the critically important cleantech sectors.
"This will incentivise more innovation to progress new ideas and ventures up the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) curve towards commercialisation. It is great to see the Future Made In Australia initiative working to leverage smart new Australian developments coming out of our world leading universities and innovation hubs."
Climate Capital Forum’s advocacy has centred on the value to Australia of retaining intellectual property and economic value domestically, and growing the next generation of climate technology companies that support jobs and capabilities here.
ENDS
Climate Capital Forum is a network of investors, climate finance experts, decarbonising companies and philanthropists who came together to provide policy advice on how Australia can lead the world in decarbonising, renewable energy and cleantech innovation.
Contact details:
For media enquiries please contact Georgia Webster, 0412 554 822 or via [email protected]
