Climate 10x Accelerator
High impact solutions decarbonising the planet
Our mission is to move the needle on decarbonisation, accelerate the transition to renewables and to strengthen the circular economy. Transforming climate solutions into high-impact, scalable tech companies.
In collaboration with the Trailblazer for Recycling & Clean Energy (TRaCE), Climate 10x provides climate tech founders with the expert support, capital and networks to build your startup.
Applications for 2026 are NOW OPEN.
The Program
Climate 10x is specifically focused on fast-tracking the business growth of climate tech start-ups, whose innovation has a significant impact on emissions reduction, improves the resilience and adaptability of existing infrastructure, allows for a faster transition to renewable energy sources or grows the circular economy. We do this with investment, mentor support, workshops and free post-program support.
The Climate 10x Accelerator program was established in 2023 as part of the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), a federally funded program awarded to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Newcastle (UoN) to boost R&D and drive commercialisation outcomes. The aim is to help Australia and the world transition to sustainable recycling and clean energy solutions and systems.
Program Benefits
10 weeks of accelerated learning from leading entrepreneurial and climate industry experts and founders
A tailored mentoring & coaching support team including one of our mentors, your dedicated Entrepreneur-in-Residence and your C10x PM.
Seed funding through a SAFE agreements from UNSW and partners.
Access to a world-class network of makerspaces and R&D Infrastructure to ideate and prototype across UNSW and UoN
The opportunity to build, refine or scale your business model and become investment ready
Networking and peer-to-peer support to build your confidence and networks
An opportunity to pitch your startup to investors at the 10x Demo Night
Post-program scale up support in the form of office space and exclusive opportunities
Access to Westpac Accelerator Scholarships for women and non-binary founders.
Investment
Startups will receive investment of 100k AUD via an uncapped SAFE note.
Post Program Support
Access to UNSW Founders Perks up to the value of $1M
6 months access to co-working space on the UNSW Kensington, plus ongoing access to prototyping and R&D infrastructure through UNSW and partners.
Global Innovation Foundry: We provide grants and key international connections for startups looking to break into global markets.
Ongoing tailored support post-program for capital raising, PR, going global, PhD internships and more through UNSW Founders & TRaCE
Exclusive opportunity to pitch to TRaCE Early-Stage Seed Fund
Strategic Partners
Through UNSW Founders and TRaCE, Climate 10x is backed by a number of climate experts, industry, research & capital partners - who can provide the relevant networks knowledge and infrastructure to help build and scale a deep-tech company in a developing industry.
Trailblazer for Recycling & Clean Energy (TRaCE)
Climate 10x is supported by TRaCE, aiming to fast track our transition to net zero by developing the next generation of tech solutions with industry and academia. Participants benefit from access to:
R&D vouchers: matched funding up to $50k towards a collaboration with UNSW researchers
Tech Transfer Squad: a specialist team of electrical engineers that can help you develop solutions and overcome technical barriers quickly.
Access to talent and training in this space
Eligibility for the TRaCE early-stage seed fund, backed by Investible and Hampton Capital
UNSW networks and researchers
Essentials
Key Dates
Climate 10x Accelerator 2026 Dates
10x Applications open: 31 March
10x Applications close: 18 May
10x Bootcamp: 29-30 July
10x Program commences: 5 August
10x Program concludes: 8 October
10x Demo Day
Eligibility
To gain a place on the program, you must meet the below conditions:
You are a founder or co-founder of a currently operating Australian startup (from any university, organisation or completely independent)
You have an Australian registered company (Pty Ltd) to enter the accelerator phase of the program
You are focused on developing an early-stage climate technology
You have clean IP ownership
Can commit to participating in the program for its duration approximately 12-15 hours per week during the 10-week Accelerator phase
If you have any questions around eligibility, please feel free to contact UNSW Founders or submit your expression of interest and the team will get in touch to chat with you.
Is Climate 10x for me?
We are looking for founders and startups who:
Have an Australian-based startup with a climate tech or clean energy-related solution (TRL 3+), which has raised less than ~$3-5M
Have the capacity to have at least 1 full-time founder fully participate in the program
Are committed to building a scalable business and have completed some market validation.
Want to learn new, bespoke strategies for growing their startup
Are keen to access TRaCE and UNSW’s outstanding network of founders, mentors, researchers, investors and industry partners with climate tech and entrepreneurial domain expertise
Could benefit from access to prototyping or R&D infrastructure
Meet a few of our Founders
Shawn Kook & Goran Bozic from DeCarice
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DeCarice focuses on the practical decarbonisation of diesel assets. Utilising findings from the UNSW Engine Research Laboratory, they're advancing solutions that allow diesel engines to run on up to 90% hydrogen fuel. This transition results in a CO2 emission reduction of over 70%.
Niousha, Soheil & Ailar from SoNiA Greentech
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SONIA has revolutionised the asphalt industry through the implementation of an innovative technology that reduces costs and minimizes energy consumption. The company addresses challenges in the use of Polymer Modified Bitumen, a crucial component in asphalt mixture, leading to 90% reduction in energy consumption during production, while enabling storage and transportation at ambient temperatures, eliminating issues in the transport of PMB over long distances and reducing energy consumption. SONIA is further contributing to environmental sustainability by substituting virgin polymers with waste plastics.
Paul Howdle & Sahand Karimi from Optigrid
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OptiGrid offers an AI-enabled asset optimisation and trading intelligence platform for renewable plants and batteries operating in Australia’s National Electricity Market. Powered by proprietary forecasting and optimisation models, their platform helps energy retailers and battery operators trade with confidence in volatile conditions, manage risk, and maximise lifetime returns.
Read all about us in the news
