C10x Partner Spotlight 🔦 TRaCE: Pioneering the Path to Sustainable Innovation
Author: K. Phillips, Senior Manager (Ideas)
The TRaCE Team!
In a world increasingly focused on sustainable solutions, initiatives like TRaCE (Trailblazer for Recycling & Clean Energy) are paving the way for revolutionary advancements. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Gabriella Nunes, Director of Research & Commercialisation at TRaCE, to delve deeper into the organisation's mission and impact.
Gabriella Nunes, familiarly known to me as Gab, previously served as Senior Manager of Startups at Founders from December 2019 to September 2023. During her tenure, she led a range of incubation, acceleration, and funding programs, assisting startups in accelerating their growth across various sectors including tech, climate, health, biotech, and defence.
In her current role at TRaCE, Nunes finds fulfilment in witnessing startups' evolution under the program's guidance. She reflects, "It's always a highlight to see the moment when a founder realises the potential of their work, and then the subsequent moments of continual growth, confidence, and success... first prototype, first pilot, first customer as the startup progresses."
So, let's delve into what TRaCE is all about: TRaCE is a dynamic four-year program aimed at propelling circular economy and clean energy technologies from the confines of the laboratory into global manufacturing. Collaborating with world-leading researchers, startups, and SMEs, TRaCE provides co-funding, commercialisation support, and entrepreneurial guidance. Their goal? To tackle the monumental challenges hindering the global net zero transformation by de-risking commercialisation processes and accelerating product launches.
Gabriella elucidates that TRaCE emerged as one of six Trailblazer programs, a collaborative effort between the Department of Education, UNSW, University of Newcastle, and various industry partners. Their core objectives include expediting research-to-market transitions, co-developing impactful emissions reduction solutions with industry, and fostering a culture of robust commercialisation and entrepreneurialism within universities.
Additionally, TRaCE focuses on four pivotal themes: Solar Tech, Clean Energy, Green Fuels, and Circular Economy. By aligning initiatives with these themes, they ensure a concentrated effort towards addressing pressing environmental concerns.
In discussions with Gab, I've come to understand navigating the landscape of climate initiatives is rife with challenges. TRaCE steps in to provide crucial assistance in accessing funding, R&D infrastructure, commercialisation networks, and talent development. By alleviating these hurdles, they empower startups and partners to forge ahead with their groundbreaking innovations.
Looking ahead, TRaCE is committed to expanding its global footprint, facilitating the transition of Australian solutions into international markets. By continually building networks and pathways for supported entities, TRaCE aims to catalyse widespread adoption of sustainable technologies.
We concluded our interview with invaluable advice for aspiring startups considering the 10x Accelerator. Gabriella emphasises, "Maintaining a clear and niche focus, and engaging with customers, users, and investors from the outset, will enable you to develop a solution with commercial viability that can be readily adopted. Additionally, understanding how your product or technology fits into and enhances the evolving supply chains and markets in the climate tech sectors is crucial."
Applications for Climate 10x close on May 20 - for more information, visit: https://unswfounders.com/climate-10x-accelerator
Interested in Climate 10x? Listen to this Accelerator rundown with Director, David Burt, and C10x Program Manager, Eleni Assargiotis, as they share their passion for driving positive change in climate and sustainability.
Eleni sheds light on the program's mission to support startups in these sectors, offering insights into standout applicant qualities. Discover post-program support, mentorship, and exposure opportunities, and gain insights to help climate tech startups thrive.
Whether you're a budding climate entrepreneur or sustainability enthusiast, don't miss this episode!
(Duration:
11 mins)