Fourteen ambitious Kiwi cleantech startups set off in October to chase global investment and partnership opportunities as part of the 2024 Cleantech Trek to the USA and Europe.
The trek is a New Zealand Cleantech Mission initiative to support innovative Kiwi startups to access the multi-billion-dollar global cleantech market and is led by Callaghan Innovation’s Phil Anderson.
The government agency partners with ambitious businesses of all sizes, delivering a range of innovation and research and development (R&D) services to suit each stage of their growth.
Its staff – including more than 150 of New Zealand’s leading scientists and engineers – empower innovators by connecting people, opportunities and networks, and providing tailored technical solutions, skills and capability development programmes, and grants co-funding.
Estimated to be worth more than NZ$1 trillion annually by 2030, the global cleantech market is growing rapidly due to investment in clean energy technologies like solar and wind, plus growing consumer demand for more sustainably produced materials.
The 2024 Cleantech Trek will begin in the USA and then head to Europe, where three participating startups will be recognised on US-based Cleantech Group’s 2024 “50 to Watch” list, in Paris, at the 2024 Cleantech Forum Europe.
Cetogenix, Mushroom Material, and Nilo will be recognised on the the list of the top cleantech ventures globally in the early stages of commercialising solutions to global environmental problems and climate change.
“Having three Kiwi cleantech startups on this influential list shows that the world is beginning to see just how much potential Kiwi cleantech startups have to offer,” says Anderson.
“This country is such a small player it’s really important that we work together when it comes to getting in front of potential investors and partners overseas.
Participating companies will attend key industry events to pitch to investors, meet multinationals and make connections as they seek to participate in this market.
A highlight of the trip will be a visit to leading global steelmaker ArcelorMittal’s commercial flagship carbon capture and utilisation facility in Ghent, Belgium.
The commercial-scale facility uses Lanzatech’s carbon capture process to capture carbon-rich waste gases from steelmaking and convert these into advanced ethanol.
Nasdaq listed Lanzatech began as a cleantech startup based in Auckland. “As Lanzatech has shown, we have the world-class science and engineering expertise, and vision, to develop cleantech solutions that can make a global impact,” says Anderson.
Because cleantech solutions are addressing the most difficult to solve environmental and sustainability challenges, their commercialisation typically requires more capital, stronger networks, and a longer path to market than is the case in most other sectors.
“To succeed, Kiwi cleantech startups need to build long-term relationships with multi-nationals and investors to develop and commercialise their solutions on a global scale,” he says.
The Cleantech Trek is supported in Europe by NZ Trade & Enterprise, the country’s ‘future energy” centre Ara Ake, Auckland Unlimited and ASB Bank as well as Verge stand partner Climate Salad.
