National Energy Transition Accelerator
The National Energy Transition Accelerator program supports research projects with commercial potential and early-stage deep tech startups to become industry-connected, investment-ready, and commercially deployable. The next program commences in mid-2026. More details coming soon.
Program Overview
The National Energy Transition Accelerator has been developed for Australian researchers and early stage startup founders who want to build sustainable business models around deep technical innovation.
Developed by the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, NETA addresses a critical capability gap in two sectors essential to the global energy transition: resources technology and critical minerals. Participants will learn how to commercialise their innovation into a thriving business in just 3 months.
A $10,000 equity-free grant, fuelling your initial development phase.
Access to an extensive network of Australian resources and energy industry leaders and investors.
Exposure to follow on funding opportunities through Curtin’s extensive investor network
Immersion in a vibrant ecosystem of mentors, experts, and investors.
A free delegation pass to the 2025 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference in Perth, WA (valued at $2,090+GST).
Subsidised travel costs to attend AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference in Perth, WA.
Meet the 2025 Cohort
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AZ Synergy
A pioneering Solid-State Iron-Air Battery (SSIAB) developed by Curtin University researcher Nai Shi that offers a safe, cost-effective, and high-energy-density storage solution using iron oxide instead of lithium as its core component.
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BATSafe Australia
Hamid Ilbeygi and his team from Deakin University have developed a solution that empowers councils, emergency services, and importers to ensure battery safety before deployment using a Digital Battery Safety Passport (DBSP), a blockchain-secured compliance and lifecycle data tracking platform.
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Clever-CO2
Curtin University’s Zehua Wang and his team have combined two chemical processes – Co2 reduction and chlorine production – into a single electrochemical system that produces two high-value industrial gases used in PVC production with less cost and energy requirements.
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Fermkelp
Fermkelp transforms beach-cast seaweed into bioethanol through microbial hydrolysis and fermentation, offering a marine-based alternative to land-intensive biofuels. Developed by Sufia Hena and her team at Curtin University.
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HydroCycle Energy Solutions
Designed for off-grid use, HydroCycle – developed by Curtin’s Hussein Znad – offers a decentralised solution to decarbonise remote infrastructure empowering regional and Indigenous communities to turn local waste into clean energy.
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Neoterra
Already in use in real-world pilot projects, NeoTerra helps public and private sector customers demonstrate the financial viability and compliance status of energy-positive, walkable, and low-carbon developments. The project is being developed by Curtin’s Faz Ikram and Bin Dzulkifly.
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Turquoise Iron
Developed by Curtin University’s Eugenia Phegan, Turqoise Iron is a novel process to upgrade low-grade iron ore using methane which also produces a clean hydrogen byproduct. This breakthrough could help mining companies process resources more efficiently while reducing carbon emissions.
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Unpollute
A sustainable biomining startup using fungi to extract valuable metals from mine waste has been developed by Curtin’s Tony Pfaff. By replacing chemical leaching with natural microbial processes, this approach transforms toxic tailings into revenue-generating resources offering a cleaner, greener path for mine site remediation and resource recovery.
Lead Facilitator
Ben Sandhu has advised startups and accelerators for a number of years in both the UK and Australia before joining Ida Sports as co-founder in 2018. Passionate about social change through business, he led RMIT’s LaunchHUB and lectured at Monash Business School. With a sports background, Ben grew Ida into a thriving company, securing major investments and contracts. He loves turning ideas into successful businesses.
Investor in Residence
Matt Macfarlane is an esteemed venture capitalist, angel investor, and startup founder with a background in deep tech development. In 2009, Matt co-founded Yuuwa Capital LP, a A$40m Venture Capital fund and led the IT investments of the fund (incl. Agworld, icetana). Matt was the founding CEO of icetana.ai (ASX:ICE) and is the current Chair of the Board after leading the company to an IPO and rebuilding the team over a 5 year period to 2023.
