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2025 Start-up Innovation Challenge

Youth Program

2025 Start-up Innovation Challenge

In the rapidly advancing clean energy landscape, innovation is paramount. The "Start-up Innovation Challenge" serves as a vital platform for emerging companies in wind, hydrogen, and CCUS to showcase their breakthrough ideas before a panel of industry experts and receive valuable feedbacks.

By bridging vision with execution, the “Start-up Innovation Challenge” inspires discussions that fuel the next generation of sustainable energy solutions. Join initiative to accelerate progress and innovation, contributing to the transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Date: 17 July 2025
Time: 10:30-12:00 (90mins)
Venue: Exhibition Hall Door 8, MCEC Melbourne
Format: Pitching Session
Judges: industry mentors, funding institutions, cleantech investors
Admission: Free for all sponsors, speakers, delegates, and visitors

2025 Event Theme: Powering the Future: Unleashing Innovation, Connecting Leaders, and Celebrating Future Energy Visionaries

Form: Project Presentation (Free application and entry)

Event Overview: The "Start-up Innovation Challenge" is a dynamic forum that spotlights global start-ups entering the APAC market, offering a unique stage to present groundbreaking solutions.

Eligibility: Open to start-ups between 1-5 years old in the early to growth stages of development, focusing on innovations in hydrogen, wind, and CCUS.

Pre-Registration: Teams must pre-register by 7 May 2025 for validation.

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Selection Process: The selection process will comprise two rounds:

1. Portfolio/Idea Submission:

  • Submission Deadline: 16 June 2025

  • Requirements: Concise portfolio or idea document (up to 3 pages) with text, design, schematics, and illustrations.

  • Evaluation Criteria: Innovation, feasibility, market potential, and scalability.

  • Organizer's Review: Internal team review to pre-select top entries based on the specified criteria.

2. On-Site Presentation (Final Round):

  • Shortlisted Participants Notification: 20 June 2025

  • Format: Shortlisted participants should attend for an on-site presentation.

  • Presentation: Participants present their innovations for 10 mins followed by a Q&A session.

  • Evaluation: Panel of live judges assesses presentations in real-time.

  • Scoring Criteria: Clarity, innovation, market fit, scalability, and responses to judges' queries.

  • Winner Declaration: Winners are announced based on cumulative scores from the on-site presentation round

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Timeline:

Pre-Registration: 06 January 2025 - 07 May 2025

Project/Idea Submission: 08 May 2025 - 16 June 2025

Pre-selection: 16 June 2025 - 20 June 2025

Stage Presentation: 17 July 2025

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These rules are designed to ensure a fair and transparent competition that fosters innovation in the field of sustainable energy. We encourage all eligible participants to take part in this exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of low carbon innovation in Australia and APAC’s energy transition.

Morning Session: Industry Trends and Talent Match

10:00 - 10:20

(20 mins)

 [Track 1] The Need for Green Transition and the Market Opportunities

  • 20min Presentation + Live Interaction

10:20 - 10:40

(20 mins)

[Track 2] Proton Batteries: An International Review of the State of the Art

  • 20min Presentation + Live Interaction

10:40 - 11:00

(20 mins)

[Track 3] Supporting the Energy Transition with Great Australian Science

  • 20min Presentation + Live Interaction

  • Abstract: The energy transition is providing opportunities for Australian scientists to shine. Dr Karen Kozielski is the deputy leader of the CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission, and has led teams of researchers in this exciting space. She will share CSIRO’s approach and some of the ground breaking research happening in hydrogen.

11:00 - 11:20

(20 mins)

[Track 4] Unlocking Tomorrow's Energy: Exploring Market Trends and Opportunities for Students

  • 20min Presentation + Live Interaction

  • Abstract: More to Come

11:20 - 11:40

(20 mins)

​Challenges and Opportunities in Liquid Hydrogen Supply Chains: Boil-off Management and Research Perspectives

  • 20min Presentation + Live Interaction

Afternoon Session:“Youth Energy Competition” Open Room

Introduction:
The "Youth Energy Competition" is a distinctive initiative that aims to unite young energy experts from diverse domains to cooperate in devising sustainable energy ideas and solutions for the future of Australia and the APAC region. This hackathon-style program presents not only an exciting opportunity for students to apply their learned knowledge and ingenuity to practical challenges, but also endeavors to equip the upcoming generation of bright young minds with expanding technical and operational competencies, as well as fostering a community of innovation and collaboration.

14:00 - 15:30

(90 mins)

On-site Procedure: Final

Judges:

Rafiq Ali
Senior Research Engineer
CSIRO

Tom  Hughes 
Senior Lecturer
Monash University

Professor John Andrews
Professor 
RMIT University

Adele Seymon
Director
Deep Green R&D Solutions Pty Ltd.

Lorie Jones
Vice-president
Hydrogen Society of Australia

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