Clean tech founder and investor Monique Conheady has added another directorial arrow to her corporate quiver, joining the board of Wollongong hydrogen electrolyser startup Hysata.
Conheady was cofounder of the pioneering carshare startup Flexicar, acquired by Hertz Australia, and now chairs companies Energy Safe Victoria and JET Charge, as well as being a Breakthrough Victoria director.
Two years ago she became the ANZ venture partner for Southeast Asian climate tech VC fund Wavemaker Impact, which backs climate tech startups focused on carbon reduction.
Conheady’s spend nearly three decades focused on climate and impact tech, from serial founder to executive, investor and director.
Hysata, named Startup of The Year in the 2023 Startup Daily Best in Tech Awards, set a local investment record last year when it raised $172 million (US$111.3m) in a Series B to develop its electrolysers to produce low-cost green hydrogen.
Hysata CEO Paul Barrett said Conheady will make a valuable contribution to the company’s strategic decisions, drawing on her extensive experience in the energy sector.
“Monique also has both capital planning and scale up expertise, with a great passion for clean energy that aligns well with the culture and mission we are building at Hysata,” he said.
“Her leadership, expertise and strategic advice will be beneficial as we reach new heights in 2025.”
Conheady said it was an important time as the company moves to scaleup mode.
“It is exciting to see Hysata’s rapid progress in commercialising its high efficiency electrolyser that will create tangible benefits for our climate and unlock economic benefits for Australia,” she said.
“Hysata’s technology is fundamental for net-zero – playing a vital role in deeply decarbonising the hard to abate sectors. Its ultra-high efficiency electrolysers are unmatched by their competitors in hydrogen production cost benefits, which have resulted in strong commercial traction to date. This is an exciting opportunity to support an Australian clean tech leader.”
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