The Low Carbon Accelerator is an intensive program for businesses to accelerate their market readiness and industry partnerships.
Program details
The Low Carbon Accelerator
The program focuses on exploring product-market fit between Queensland industry needs and innovative solutions. A cohort will be supported by mentors and experts in the development of go-to-market strategies and business growth.
You will have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders from across Queensland’s climate technology networks including government, universities, industry, and investors.
The Low Carbon Accelerator provides a pathway for industry to pilot and test solutions that can help them lower their carbon emissions.
Applications for the 2022 cohort has now closed.
The three stages
The program comprises three stages of support and concludes with an in-person showcase of the outcomes of the Low Carbon Accelerator initiative in March 2023. Participants from stage one will be assessed against evaluation criteria, with the most promising participants invited to progress to stage two and three of the program,
Stage one: Bootcamp
Shortlisted applicants are invited to our two-day bootcamp on 4 and 5 October. You will meet with the program team and partners and mingle with other incredible innovators. Through a series of workshops, you’ll gain a 360 degree view of your product and business and develop clear objectives.
Stage two: Growth Lab
Ten companies from stage one will be invited to participate in our six-week Growth Lab program. In this stage, you will be supported by the program team, our Expert-in-Residence and a network of mentors to develop a strong business case for your innovations and fast-track your industry access. You will focus on developing a strong business case to land a PoC contract with an industry partner and will receive a $10,000 grant to accelerate the process.
Stage three: Proof-of-Concept
Finally, 5 companies from the Growth Lab will receive grants of $20,000 - $80,000 to implement their Proof-of-Concept projects with an industry partner who will match the grant funding. You will receive an additional 6 weeks of support from a team of expert navigators who help you make the most of the opportunity.
We are looking for
We are looking for innovative products that have the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions in Queensland industries including but not limited to sustainable tourism, built environment, energy, resources, manufacturing, transport and our agriculture and food systems.
The program is designed for participation by founders, business owners or key product leads of startups and Small to Medium Enterprises.
Participants will receive greatest benefit from the program if they have already achieved some early traction, and can demonstrate a readiness to undertake trials, partnerships or other significant go-to-market activities in Queensland within the next three months.
Eligibility
To submit an application to the Growth Lab and receive these program benefits, eligible applicants must, at the time of lodgement of an application:
have a current ABN and be headquartered in or have a business address in Queensland
be developing an innovative* product or service that can have significant decarbonisation impact**
be committed to working with Queensland industry partners or customers
demonstrate outcomes aligned with Queensland Climate Action Plan
have achieved Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with demonstrated customer interest or early validation
have commitment from the founding or executive team to participate in the program.
*With an innovative product, we mean a product that is new future-focused, scalable, commercially viable and competitive in the market. Please refer to the ATO’s Early Stage Innovation Company principles-based innovation test to find out more.
**You will need to demonstrate the potential decarbonisation impact through in-depth understanding of your target industry, the size of the problem, and feasibility of your solution. You will be asked to provide an estimated impact measured in an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) reduced or removed annually.
Assessment criteria
Applicants must meet basic eligibility criteria and will be competitively assessed by the Program Manager and Technical Panel against the following:
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Articulate the problem the solution is addressing and quantify the need for the solution.
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Clearly articulate and explain the proposed solution i.e. what are the benefits and specific outcomes. Pay attention to the ‘innovation’ and ‘ decarbonisation impact’ described in the above eligibility section. This includes identifying the emissions reduction potential of the solution.
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Clearly articulate the customer segment(s) and market opportunity.
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Business model is well defined and there is demonstrated confidence of appropriate pricing i.e. the unit economics of the product/service work as growth is scaled.
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The product is post-minimal viable product and ready for proof-of-concept engagement with industry partners. Companies that have an identified partner opportunity or commitment will be looked upon favourably.
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The application provides adequate resourcing towards the development and implementation of the product/service. The team has relevant experience, technical ability, or sector insights to fulfil a proof-of-concept engagement.
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The business and product/service provides benefits to Queensland industries, and the participant’s current needs are able to be supported through the program offering.
Selected participants will need to commit to at least one founder, business owner, or product lead to engage throughout the 12 week program.
