Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Ara Ake
The energy sector is getting the chance to access some of the world’s most innovative climate-positive start-ups and investors, thanks to a partnership between Ara Ake and US-based Elemental Excelerator.
Recognised at the 2020 United Nations’ Global Climate Action Awards for its pioneering work in applying ‘accelerator’ tools to climate innovation, Elemental Excelerator is an organisation dedicated to scaling up projects that address both climate change and social equity.
Ara Ake Chief Executive Cristiano Marantes is thrilled to see the programme come to New Zealand.
“This is an incredible opportunity for the New Zealand energy sector to have access to some of the world’s best start-ups, and to connect with global industry and investment players in the broader energy ecosystem,” Cristiano says.
Taranaki-based Ara Ake is joining Elemental Excelerator as a ‘Scale-Up’ partner – a new category of partnerships offered by Elemental to accelerate the adoption of climate-positive technologies. In doing so, Ara Ake will become the link between New Zealand energy innovators and Elemental Excelerator.
As part of the partnership, Ara Ake will support New Zealand energy start-ups by providing access to Elemental Excelerator’s experience and resources. There will also be the ability to scan global markets and opportunities, and the potential of gaining a global presence by joining Elemental Excelerator’s highly competitive investment programme.
The partnership with Elemental Excelerator will also assist Ara Ake in looking at the need for and nature of an energy accelerator programme based in Taranaki.
Cristiano says New Zealand energy start-ups also have the exciting opportunity to be a part of Elemental Cohort 10 – the worldwide search to find Elemental’s next cohort of climate tech companies.
“Elemental is looking for passionate, diverse teams from around the world who are committed to solving climate change. New Zealand energy start-ups have the opportunity to benefit from this, and I urge them to register their interest.”
Elemental Managing Director of Impact, Ramsay Siegal, says the organisation is looking to find some of the most impactful technologies at the nexus of climate change and social equity.
“As the world transitions to cleaner energy and renewables become both cheaper and better than fossil fuels, we need to invest in the next level of innovations and democratise energy, optimise current energy systems, and support the electrifrication of built and rural environments across the globe,” she says.
About Elemental Excelerator
Elemental Excelerator is on a mission to redesign the systems at the root of climate change. In 2009, we launched a new non-profit model for funding climate tech deployment. Breaking down barriers to innovation alongside entrepreneurs provides us unique insight into the policy, market, and technology innovation needed to build systems to uplift people and communities around the world. Elemental has invested in over 100 growth-stage companies and celebrated more than a dozen exits, funded more than 70 technology projects, and built a platform for scaling equitable, market-driven solutions to climate change. For more information, please visit elementalexcelerator.com.
