Latest CivVic labs challenge to ignite energytech ideas

Last Updated: Thursday, 6 October 2022

A new partnership between LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency, and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) will see startups apply innovative thinking to some of the state’s most pressing energy challenges.

LaunchVic is seeking Expressions of Interest from aspiring founders and earlystage startups to solve the challenges of:

• Improving energy consumption for Victorian households and businesses

• Bettering access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy

Ten participants will be selected to undertake the six-week CivVic Labs program where they will receive $15,000 each to co-design and test their solutions with energy policy experts and everyday consumers.

To support these solutions, de-identified consumer energy data from Victoria’s smart meters will be provided for the very first time.

With the highest penetration of smart meter technology in the country, Victoria is primed to be able to leverage this unprecedented data source for strategic digital transformation.

At the end of the program, two participants will be awarded a further $35,000 in seed funding to help bring their ideas to market.

It is an important time for EnergyTech innovation, with 70% of Australian energy suppliers actively engaged in implementing a digital transformation strategy to help achieve net-zero emissions. LaunchVic CEO Dr Kate Cornick said the DELWP partnership would provide the government with a unique and tailored access point into Victoria’s $23.6 billion early-stage startup ecosystem.

“Victoria is home to some of the brightest EnergyTech minds, and the upcoming CivVic program will harness their talent and develop progressive solutions to enable sustainable energy solutions,” she said.

Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio said we are proud to support startups facilitating access to smarter, cheaper and cleaner energy solutions.

“Our energy system is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation, and digital energy innovation will be crucial to decarbonise all sectors including electricity and gas,” she said.

Startups and aspiring founders can apply for the next CivVic challenge at https://launchvic.sonardev.com.au/civvic-labs.