A surf lifesaving robot, accessible beauty, a saliva-based hydration test and a way to green hydrogen from biomass are among 10 ideas to emerge Newcastle’s I2N Accelerator program in 2024.
The I2N is an initiative from the University of Newcastle, supporting innovators and entrepreneurs by connecting them with what they call the 4Cs: community, customers, coaching and capital.
This year the program has focused on cleantech and impact as part of its program, dealing with issue ranging from clean energy to dealing with death and looking great when you have mobility issues.
The program is supported by the Port of Newcastle and the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) with a focus on taking innovative ideas from the lab into global manufacturing.
Richard Berry, manager of startup programs at I2N said the Newcastle and Hunter region is a launchpad for growth, attracting attention from innovators and investors with its renewable energy zones, advanced manufacturing, expansive space and rich tapestry of local expertise.
“This is not your typical tech startup cohort. And coming in over and above industry average, seven of the 10 teams featured are female-led and almost half the overall cohort participants are female,” he said.
James Bradley, cofounder of Diffuse Energy and I2N’s Entrepreneur in Residence, these the cohort’s founders are set to make a world-changing impact.
“This is the third year the I2N has assisted Hunter-based founders through their Accelerator program,” he said.
“Each year we are impressed by the quality of teams and ideas, the addition of this year’s Cleantech stream means that we have a huge range of exciting projects that have the potential change the world.”
Charlotte Connell, founder of the Sustainability Collective and I2N’s industry connector for the cleantech cohort, said she was inspired by the ambition and impact the teams are going to have not just on the Newcastle ecosystem, but the world.
“This is a seriously impressive cohort, we have a mixture of deep-tech, climate tech, software and hardware solutions solving some of the world’s biggest problems,” she said.
“From hydrogen production using no electrolysis, a revolutionary bioprocess to remediate PFAS, through to making green infrastructure smarter.”
The I2N Accelerator Demo Night in on November 6, at the I2N Hub Honeysuckle. Tickets here.
If you’re interested in joining the I2N Accelerator cohort in 2025 submit a short EOI here.
Here are the startups in the 2024 I2N cohort.
The Cleantech startups
EM Energy
EM Energy team members Chris Wilson, Isabel Toasa and Kesha Manimaran
The powerhouse team behind EM Energy have cracked the code for green hydrogen production, turning biomass and coal waste into hydrogen gas without relying on heat, electricity, or bacteria. Imagine on-site hydrogen production from various coal and waste streams—perfect for industrial heating and sustainable fuel without any greenhouse gas emissions.
With an MOU, grant funding, and government backing already secured, EM Energy is ready to disrupt fossil fuels and waste markets. Led by experienced technology inventor Isabel Toasa and seasoned entrepreneur Chris Wilson, with research assistants Kesha Manimaran and Rakesh Rao they’re making impact with their sustainable tech and vision.
Facet Amtech
Facet Amtech founder Dr Peter Richardson
Facet Amtech is using catalyst tech to lead the transition towards clean ammonia production. Their breakthrough solution slashes environmental impact, boosts efficiency, and paves the way for green ammonia reactors.
With a pilot in the pipeline and founder Dr. Peter Richardson is leading the charge, Facet Amtech is primed to shake up the clean energy scene and become a major player in the decarbonisation revolution.
Wild Yeast Zoo
Wild Yeast Zoo cofounders Dr Ben Matthews and Evan Gibbs
Yeast… the beloved catalyst for sourdough home chefs and master brewers. But what if it could revolutionise industries?
Wild Yeast Zoo have meticulously foraged over 500 wild yeasts and are driving innovation in biofuels, food and beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. What started as a citizen science project is now well on its way to 10,000 yeasts.
With early customers and strategic agreements in place, the energetic team, founded by Claudia Holt, Evan Gibbs, Dr. Ben Matthews, and with biochemist Dr. Peter Lewis, are seeking pre-seed funding to scale up and drive sustainable solutions across industries.
Cloud Grow
Cloud Grow cofounders Claire Jones and Jared Lawlor
Cloud Grow are transforming urban landscapes. If water is the life blood of the planet, irrigation is its heart and veins.
Cloud Grow represents the brain tying it all-together with real-time monitoring and analytics to provide green infrastructure exactly what it needs.
Building on this momentum, Cloud Grow is forging key partnerships with green infrastructure leaders. Together, cofounders Jared Lawlor and Claire Jones are setting the standard for sustainable urban solutions in city gardens.
OperisAI
OperisAI cofounders Andrew Sturt and Mehdi Abedi
Cofounders Mehdi Abedi and Andrew Sturt are shaking up community and patient transport, as well as aged care and disability rostering, with OperisAI—an AI-driven “Optimisation as a Service” (OaaS) platform.
Their tech slashes inefficiencies in transport scheduling and rostering, trims vehicle use, and reduces carbon emissions. With real-time updates and data-powered simulations, it seamlessly integrates via API to supercharge operations.
Tackling everything from specialised vehicles to dynamic routing and workforce optimisation, OperisAI is on a mission to transform community transport and care service delivery.
The All-Industries startups
Adios
Adios co-founders Petrina (Nook) O’Dea and Jesso Delahunty
End of life is an inevitability and removing the stigma and taboo nature of these discussions is exactly what founders Petrina (Nook) O’Dea and Jesso Delahunty are trying to do. They are tackling this critical issue with their innovative platform Adios, a user-friendly app designed to educate and simplify end-of-life planning for Australians.
Adios offers a comprehensive 10-step process covering everything from care directives to personal preferences, helping people understand the importance and address the process with greater confidence.
Currently in early development, the app has already garnered positive feedback from over 100 users and industry professionals. With a growing awareness campaign, Adios aims to make end-of-life planning more accessible and less burdensome for loved ones.
ByStorm Beauty
ByStorm founder Storm Menzies
Imagine if the simple act of opening a make-up bottle was impossible for you?
ByStorm Beauty is on a mission to transform makeup accessories for people with disabilities, proving that inclusivity can be glamorous too.
Their innovative designs, developed with input from the disability community and occupational therapists, promise to make applying makeup easier and more enjoyable. With only 2% of beauty brands addressing this need, ByStorm is leading the charge to fill this huge gap in the market.
With hundreds of potential customers both in Australia and globally already on their waitlist the future is looking bright for founder Storm Menzies, who plans to take the world ByStorm with her makeup and beauty accessories.
FG
FG founder Catherine Zontos
FG is kicking down barriers with female-specific protective gear for contact sports.
Founder Catherine Zontos and Business Development Manager Conan Hill spotted a major gap and jumped in with both feet. With two products already on the market and two more in the works, they’re gaining momentum through online sales, club bookings, and bulk orders across Australia—and even sparking interest in New Zealand.
Aiming at female athletes, parents, clubs, and schools, FG is ready to tackle the demand for top-notch protection in women’s sports.
IhydRATE
IhydRATE founder Lisa Winn
Founder Lisa Winn is leading the charge with IhydRATE and its groundbreaking product, Salhy—a saliva-based hydration test that syncs with your smartphone for instant results.
Salhy uses biomarkers and cutting-edge machine vision software, perfect for high-risk fields like mining and firefighting, plus athletes and at-risk groups.
After successful pilot trials, IhydRATE is gearing up for commercialisation with revenue streams from test strips, enterprise software, and hydration consulting. With her IP strategy well underway and local manufacturing on the horizon, this company is set to make a splash both locally and globally.
Robotic Surf Lifesaving
Robotic Surf Lifesaving founder Boris Novak
No stranger to startup success stories, founder Boris Novak is at the helm of Robotic Surf Lifesaving, bringing the RoboDucky to the forefront of surf rescue innovation.
The RoboDucky turbocharges response times and tackles tough training challenges with its self-righting, autonomous station hold, and suitably sized battery. Ready for global impact with a technology partnership and proof of concept trials, Robotic Surf Life Saving is set to lead the charge in beach and water rescue worldwide.
With his industry experience and penchant for taking novel concepts into reality, Boris’ mentoring of business manager Peter Chatwin to take this new venture forward has us buzzing with excitement.
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