A surf lifesaving robotic, accessible magnificence, a saliva-based hydration take a look at and a strategy to inexperienced hydrogen from biomass are amongst 10 concepts to emerge Newcastle’s I2N Accelerator program in 2024.
The I2N is an initiative from the College of Newcastle, supporting innovators and entrepreneurs by connecting them with what they name the 4Cs: group, prospects, teaching and capital.
This yr this system has centered on cleantech and influence as a part of its program, coping with problem starting from clear vitality to coping with demise and looking out nice when you could have mobility points.
This system is supported by the Port of Newcastle and the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clear Power (TRaCE) with a give attention to taking modern concepts from the lab into international manufacturing.
Richard Berry, supervisor of startup packages at I2N stated the Newcastle and Hunter area is a launchpad for progress, attracting consideration from innovators and buyers with its renewable vitality zones, superior manufacturing, expansive area and wealthy tapestry of native experience.
“This is not your typical tech startup cohort. And coming in over and above industry average, seven of the 10 teams featured are female-led and almost half the overall cohort participants are female,” he stated.
James Bradley, cofounder of Diffuse Power and I2N’s Entrepreneur in Residence, these the cohort’s founders are set to make a world-changing influence.
“That is the third yr the I2N has assisted Hunter-based founders via their Accelerator program,” he stated.
“Annually we’re impressed by the standard of groups and concepts, the addition of this yr’s Cleantech stream implies that we’ve an enormous vary of thrilling initiatives which have the potential change the world.”
Charlotte Connell, founding father of the Sustainability Collective and I2N’s trade connector for the cleantech cohort, stated she was impressed by the ambition and influence the groups are going to haven’t simply on the Newcastle ecosystem, however the world.
“This is a seriously impressive cohort, we have a mixture of deep-tech, climate tech, software and hardware solutions solving some of the world’s biggest problems,” she stated.
“From hydrogen production using no electrolysis, a revolutionary bioprocess to remediate PFAS, through to making green infrastructure smarter.”
The I2N Accelerator Demo Evening in on November 6, on the I2N Hub Honeysuckle. Tickets right here.
Should you’re fascinated about becoming a member of the I2N Accelerator cohort in 2025 submit a brief EOI right here.
Listed below are the startups within the 2024 I2N cohort.
The Cleantech startups
EM Power
EM Power crew members Chris Wilson, Isabel Toasa and Kesha Manimaran
The powerhouse crew behind EM Power have cracked the code for inexperienced hydrogen manufacturing, turning biomass and coal waste into hydrogen gasoline with out counting on warmth, electrical energy, or micro organism. Think about on-site hydrogen manufacturing from numerous coal and waste streams—excellent for industrial heating and sustainable gasoline with none greenhouse gasoline emissions.
With an MOU, grant funding, and authorities backing already secured, EM Power is able to disrupt fossil fuels and waste markets. Led by skilled expertise inventor Isabel Toasa and seasoned entrepreneur Chris Wilson, with analysis assistants Kesha Manimaran and Rakesh Rao they’re making influence with their sustainable tech and imaginative and prescient.
Side Amtech
Side Amtech founder Dr Peter Richardson
Side Amtech is utilizing catalyst tech to guide the transition in direction of clear ammonia manufacturing. Their breakthrough resolution slashes environmental influence, boosts effectivity, and paves the best way for inexperienced ammonia reactors.
With a pilot within the pipeline and founder Dr. Peter Richardson is main the cost, Side Amtech is primed to shake up the clear vitality scene and grow to be a serious participant within the decarbonisation revolution.
Wild Yeast Zoo
Wild Yeast Zoo cofounders Dr Ben Matthews and Evan Gibbs
Yeast… the beloved catalyst for sourdough house cooks and grasp brewers. However what if it might revolutionise industries?
Wild Yeast Zoo have meticulously foraged over 500 wild yeasts and are driving innovation in biofuels, meals and beverage, cosmetics, and prescribed drugs. What began as a citizen science undertaking is now effectively on its strategy to 10,000 yeasts.
With early prospects and strategic agreements in place, the energetic crew, based by Claudia Holt, Evan Gibbs, Dr. Ben Matthews, and with biochemist Dr. Peter Lewis, are searching for pre-seed funding to scale up and drive sustainable options throughout industries.
Cloud Develop
Cloud Develop cofounders Claire Jones and Jared Lawlor
Cloud Develop are remodeling city landscapes. If water is the life blood of the planet, irrigation is its coronary heart and veins.
Cloud Develop represents the mind tying it all-together with real-time monitoring and analytics to offer inexperienced infrastructure precisely what it wants.
Constructing on this momentum, Cloud Develop is forging key partnerships with inexperienced infrastructure leaders. Collectively, cofounders Jared Lawlor and Claire Jones are setting the usual for sustainable city options in metropolis gardens.
OperisAI
OperisAI cofounders Andrew Sturt and Mehdi Abedi
Cofounders Mehdi Abedi and Andrew Sturt are shaking up group and affected person transport, in addition to aged care and incapacity rostering, with OperisAI—an AI-driven “Optimisation as a Service” (OaaS) platform.
Their tech slashes inefficiencies in transport scheduling and rostering, trims automobile use, and reduces carbon emissions. With real-time updates and data-powered simulations, it seamlessly integrates by way of API to supercharge operations.
Tackling every little thing from specialised automobiles to dynamic routing and workforce optimisation, OperisAI is on a mission to rework group transport and care service supply.
The All-Industries statups
Adios
Adios co-founders Petrina (Nook) O’Dea and Jesso Delahunty
Finish of life is an inevitability and eradicating the stigma and taboo nature of those discussions is strictly what founders Petrina (Nook) O’Dea and Jesso Delahunty are attempting to do. They’re tackling this essential problem with their modern platform Adios, a user-friendly app designed to coach and simplify end-of-life planning for Australians.
Adios provides a complete 10-step course of overlaying every little thing from care directives to non-public preferences, serving to individuals perceive the significance and tackle the method with higher confidence.
Presently in early growth, the app has already garnered optimistic suggestions from over 100 customers and trade professionals. With a rising consciousness marketing campaign, Adios goals to make end-of-life planning extra accessible and fewer burdensome for family members.
ByStorm Magnificence
ByStorm founder Storm Menzies
Think about if the easy act of opening a make-up bottle was inconceivable for you?
ByStorm Magnificence is on a mission to rework make-up equipment for individuals with disabilities, proving that inclusivity might be glamorous too.
Their modern designs, developed with enter from the incapacity group and occupational therapists, promise to make making use of make-up simpler and extra satisfying. With solely 2% of magnificence manufacturers addressing this want, ByStorm is main the cost to fill this big hole available in the market.
With a whole lot of potential prospects each in Australia and globally already on their waitlist the long run is trying vibrant for founder Storm Menzies, who plans to take the world ByStorm together with her make-up and sweetness equipment.
FG
FG founder Catherine Zontos
FG is kicking down boundaries with female-specific protecting gear for contact sports activities.
Founder Catherine Zontos and Enterprise Improvement Supervisor Conan Hill noticed a serious hole and jumped in with each ft. With two merchandise already available on the market and two extra within the works, they’re gaining momentum via on-line gross sales, membership bookings, and bulk orders throughout Australia—and even sparking curiosity in New Zealand.
Aiming at feminine athletes, dad and mom, golf equipment, and colleges, FG is able to deal with the demand for top-notch safety in girls’s sports activities.
IhydRATE
IhydRATE founder Lisa Winn
Founder Lisa Winn is main the cost with IhydRATE and its groundbreaking product, Salhy—a saliva-based hydration take a look at that syncs together with your smartphone for fast outcomes.
Salhy makes use of biomarkers and cutting-edge machine imaginative and prescient software program, excellent for high-risk fields like mining and firefighting, plus athletes and at-risk teams.
After profitable pilot trials, IhydRATE is gearing up for commercialisation with income streams from take a look at strips, enterprise software program, and hydration consulting. Along with her IP technique effectively underway and native manufacturing on the horizon, this firm is about to make a splash each regionally and globally.
Robotic Surf Lifesaving
Robotic Surf Lifesaving founder Boris Novak
No stranger to startup success tales, founder Boris Novak is on the helm of Robotic Surf Lifesaving, bringing the RoboDucky to the forefront of surf rescue innovation.
The RoboDucky turbocharges response instances and tackles powerful coaching challenges with its self-righting, autonomous station maintain, and suitably sized battery. Prepared for international influence with a expertise partnership and proof of idea trials, Robotic Surf Life Saving is about to guide the cost in seaside and water rescue worldwide.
Together with his trade expertise and penchant for taking novel ideas into actuality, Boris’ mentoring of enterprise supervisor Peter Chatwin to take this new enterprise ahead has us buzzing with pleasure.
