A Vietnamese farmer cuts rice and harvests rice in the Mekong Delta.

Climate change is having a huge impact in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. The region is sinking 1.1 centimeters every year, and farmers are struggling with inconsistent weather cycles.

In response, its agricultural sector is embracing climate adaptation, powered by brilliant women entrepreneurs whose products are helping the region build resilience.

Through the Deltaccelerate program, funded by the Australian Government and managed by New Energy Nexus, six women entrepreneurs with climate-adaptive products received up to VND 1 billion (over US$39,000) to scale their businesses and strengthen their sustainable practices. These entrepreneurs were selected out of 14 competitive participants, all of whom underwent tailored training and gained networking opportunities.

This program follows a positive trend for diversity in the country’s private sector. Women now own over 20 percent of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country. As they rise in numbers, so does their role in shaping the future of sustainable business in Vietnam.

The six women entrepreneurs receiving funding from the Deltaccelerate program.

Whether they’re using coffee to make mugs, or cat houses from water hyacinth, here are the women-led businesses at the forefront of climate innovation in the Mekong Delta:

Mekong Coconut Oil Company Limited (Cocovie)

Founded by Hoang Thanh Thuy, the company produces quality cosmetic and food products made from coconut oil in the Ben Tre province. They have been utilizing and preserving over 10,000 hectares of coconut trees, estimated to have absorbed 75,000 tons of CO2.

Cau Ke Macapuno Coconut Processing Co., Ltd (VICOSAP)

Lam Ngoc Tu’s business uses macapuno coconuts to produce confectionery, baking ingredients and drinks. Cultivated by the Khmer community of Tra Vinh province, macapuno coconuts are known for their high saline tolerance—making them an ideal climate-adaptive crop.

Palmania JSC

Co-founded by Chau Ngoc Diu, the company produces Palmania, an organic sugar substitute made of sweet nectar from palmyra trees in An Giang province. The business provides jobs to indigenous farmers and taps palmyra trees in a way that does not shorten the trees’ 100-year lifespan.

Ben Tre Village in the Mekong Delta.

AirXCarbon/Veritas Vietnam JSC

Represented by Chief Strategic Officer Tran Thanh Thao, AirXCarbon turns materials such as coffee grounds, rice, and coconut husks into bioplastics, used to make zero-carbon products ranging from mugs to alternative packaging.

Dam Doi Sesarmid Cooperative

Tran Thi Xa’s business produces a wide range of sustainable products made from sesarmids and shrimps caught in the Ca Mau province.

Ecoka JSC

Led by Quang Chan Chan, this company manufactures and distributes handicrafts made entirely from natural materials in the Ha Giang province—including water hyacinth, bulrush, rattan, bamboo, and macrame. Their products include bags, coasters, and even cat houses.

About Deltaccelerate

Deltaccelerate is made possible by a unique partnership between the Australian Government and New Energy Nexus through the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) Climate Adaptation Partnerships in the Mekong Delta, announced in November 2023.

Deltaccelerate is a business accelerator funded by the Australian Government providing direct support, tailored training, and networking opportunities for enterprises that work in the Mekong Delta’s agricultural sector, which are led by or significantly benefit women and contribute to the sector’s resilience to climate adaptation.

The Partnerships are part of the Australian Government’s AU$94.5 million investments for climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta.

We’re excited to present the seventh cohort of CalSEED Concept Awardees—early-stage innovators ready to help reshape California’s energy landscape. After a rigorous five-month selection process, CalSEED Cohort 7 was chosen from nearly 100 applicants, each bringing a unique approach to solving California’s biggest energy challenges. Each awardee will receive a $200K grant to develop their concepts.

Our mission was clear: identify clean energy technologies with the potential to benefit California’s electricity ratepayers and support the state’s ambitious energy and climate goals. To achieve this, we launched a comprehensive outreach campaign in March 2024, reaching innovators through virtual info sessions, webinars, and targeted social media while highlighting the journeys of past CalSEED awardees. This year’s focus centered on four essential technology areas:

1. Battery circularity – Innovations in recycling, reuse, and sourcing alternative materials for EV batteries.
2. Long-duration energy storage – Affordable, safe, and long-lasting solutions for energy storage during periods when wind and solar aren’t generated.
3. Electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles – Technologies that drive transportation electrification at a larger scale, replacing diesel trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles with zero-emission electric models to reduce air pollution.
4. End-use electrification – Advanced solutions to electrify industrial processes, EV charging, and next-generation heat pumps.

To ensure we selected the best, CalSEED employed a two-step application process. Applicants first submitted a preliminary application, and those meeting our eligibility requirements advanced to a full application stage. Of the initial 97 applications, only 28 met the rigorous screening criteria, including alignment with EPIC objectives, a California base, and a funding cap under $1 million. The most common reason for disqualification? Misalignment with our targeted technology areas, proving just how competitive this year’s cohort was.

A distinguished review committee of experts—from industry leaders to representatives from California’s top energy agencies—scored the full applications on Innovation, Social Impact & Energy Equity, and Team & Approach. After weeks of careful evaluation, the top-scoring innovations rose to the top, culminating in a final selection meeting in July.

CalSEED Cohort 7 Concept Awardees are pioneering technologies accelerating California’s journey toward a sustainable, zero-emission future. Each project promises to drive tangible benefits for California communities, creating jobs, improving energy equity, and addressing critical gaps in the clean energy landscape.

You can watch the California Energy Commission business meeting where the awards where approved and listen to the positive public comments about the importance and impact of this program.

So join us in welcoming the newest CalSEED companies shaping the future of energy in California!

We recently had the pleasure of bringing together 160 of the brightest minds in California’s clean energy ecosystem for our inaugural NEX Level event. Entrepreneurs from all over the Golden State convened with policymakers, funders, and clean energy experts to share clean energy resources and success stories in Berkeley. We proudly showcased the new CalTestBed cohort, PowerForward grant awardees, and leaders who’ve navigated the ecosystem and seen success through CalSEED and beyond. Attendees engaged in tailored matchmaking sessions, connecting with funders, energy leaders, and key partners in funding, industry, policy, national labs, and mentorship.

CEO of Climformatics, Dr. Subarna Bhattacharyya, explained why this gathering was so important, “many of the attendees have technologies that can be game-changing and planet-saving, including ours. And so you can see those kinds of ideas, how you can build on them, how your technology can fit into how their technology can fit into yours, all of that amalgamation can happen. The best part is that this is inspired by our work here and supported by the California Energy Commission. So we get to learn a lot more about that.”

Dandelion Energy CTO, Kathy Hannun, is working to bring geothermal energy to residential buildings. She was excited to connect with folks working on similar projects. “I’m most excited about being in a place with many other people who care about the same things as me and are working towards clean energy in California.”

This event showed that California opportunities are rich and the ecosystem to support clean energy startups is robust. Through connections and creativity, we can solve big problems and advance toward a more just, clean energy future.

CEO of Community Energy Labs, Tanya Barham, spoke on a panel and expressed gratitude for the event.

“We talk about vibrant collaboration. I’m really excited because I get to see all these other clean-tech entrepreneurs,” she said. “I think these are some of the best entrepreneurs worldwide trying to solve this problem being supported by one of the most innovative state funding mechanisms in the world. So it’s amazing to be a part of that.”

Here are recordings of some of our core sessions, including the new CalTestBed cohort introduction, an address by the California Energy Commission Chair, a keynote panel on the opportunities available to California clean energy companies, and a founder-to-founder discussion between two women leaders.

You can also browse a collection of photos from the event on CalSEED’s website.

Thanks to our partners, Momentum and the California Energy Commission, for making NEX Level possible.

We talk to clean energy business founders and management teams on a daily basis, and what we hear consistently is the struggle they have finding talent.  A staggering number of green jobs will need to be created to transition whole economies to clean energy and there is a critical talent shortage across the sector. By 2030, there will be a global shortage of seven million skilled workers that would be needed for all the necessary climate and energy projects – a fact that is not lost on the startups and businesses we support. The skills shortage is the achilles heel in the clean energy transition.

While many young people – the workers of the future – want to dedicate their careers to climate action, they often find themselves without the necessary skills to pursue one, or aren’t even aware of the career pathways available to them.

Take this data point as an example: a majority of respondents to a Student Energy survey of 40,000 youth around the world found that over two-thirds think it is necessary to have a background in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to work on the energy transition. However, ask any marketing professional or policy analyst working in a climate tech startup, and they’ll easily bust this myth!

Their research shows that the most common barriers respondents to the survey face in employment are lack of awareness about existing job opportunities (47.6%), lack of available entry-level positions (46.0%), and lack of access to skills training (44.9%).

LinkedIn’s own research also shows that just 1 in 20 Gen Zs globally have the skills they need to tackle the climate crisis, compared to 1 in 8 of the wider workforce.

This has big implications for the talent pipelines of clean energy businesses. So the question is: How can we create more awareness of the career pathways available in the clean energy transition? And how do we equip these youth with the skills they need to join clean energy businesses and startups, or even start their own?

At New York Climate Week 2024, we hosted a panel discussion with Student Energy and LinkedIn to answer these very questions, with a focus on youth in the Global South.

A discussion on clean energy career pathways for youth in the Global South

Cammie Erickson – Director of Social Impact, LinkedIn

Cammie opened the panel by stressing the importance of data in shaping strategies for clean energy career pathways. LinkedIn’s data reveals a passionate generation eager to work in green jobs but lacking the necessary skills and access to roles.

Cammie Erickson – Director of Social Impact, LinkedIn

Andrew Chang – Chief Growth Officer, New Energy Nexus

Andrew emphasized the centrality of people in a just energy transition, which is not just about technology but about fairness. He discussed opportunities in the energy transition, entrepreneurial skills, narrative-building, and how NEX creates alliances to help youth connect with value-driven solutions.

Andrew Chang – Chief Growth Officer, New Energy Nexus

Helen Watts – Executive Director, Student Energy

Helen highlighted the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, urging climate actors to rethink their business models and engage with underserved voices. She encouraged expanding partnerships, fostering dialogue between educational institutions, NGOs, and the private sector to create curricula, training, and job opportunities for youth, all while pushing for supportive government policies.

Helen Watts – Executive Director, Student Energy

Hamd Akmal – Student, NYU

Hamd shared her personal experiences of the barriers young people face, including a disconnect between available jobs and their motivations. She urged organizations to better engage youth, understand their needs, and bridge communication gaps between job seekers and employers.

Hamd Akmal – Student, NYU

What next?

By investing in education and training, we can empower the next generation to accelerate a more equitable clean energy transition. The Student Energy and New Energy Nexus partnership is one such initiative.

We’ll pilot an internships and jobs platform that will feature opportunities from our extensive network of clean energy startups and entrepreneurs to bridge the gap between green skills, the youth workforce, and employers in the clean energy sector.

We’re already doing this in California, Indonesia, the Philippines, Uganda, and Vietnam. Watch this space as we scale up our work to support even more youth in joining the clean energy transition!

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Indonesia, the eighth-largest carbon emitter globally, faces significant climate risks. Despite these challenges, its abundant resources position Indonesia as a pivotal player in transitioning towards sustainable and decarbonized solutions. New Energy Nexus Indonesia is leading this change by supporting clean energy entrepreneurs in the climate solution sector. One of its programs, the Dilau Initiative, aims to decarbonize Indonesia’s marine and fishery sectors with a particular focus on coastal communities. The initiative includes conducting community outreach, building capacity, introducing scalable innovations, and preserving the marine ecosystem.

Bungin Village, located in the Alas District of the Sumbawa Regency, was originally settled by members of the Bajo Tribe, renowned for their free diving and fishing skills and recognized as the world’s largest remaining group of sea nomads. The Bajo community has maintained its distinct way of life by building its own islet out of coral, allowing their culture to develop separately from the mainland. The village is densely populated by 2,338 people per square kilometer, with most residents being fisherfolk. This includes 1,020 to 1,113 active fishers, 9 active fish collectors, and 12 fish farming groups known as KJA (Kelompok Jaringan Apung); though only 4 of these groups remain active.

Aerial view of Bungin Village. Photo by Yudha Baskoro

A fisherman passes his catch to his wife to sell at the market. Photo by Yudha Baskoro

The problem

Transitioning towards sustainable practices in Indonesia is a complex issue. For many Indonesians, the priority is simply putting food on the table, making it tough to prioritize sustainable practices.

In Bungin Village, the fishing sector faces several challenges, including issues with storage, high electricity, and fuel costs, as well as its dependence on conventional fuel for boats—which is both expensive and harmful to the environment.

Waste is also a significant issue on Bungin Island. The use of styrofoam for storage and plastic for fish captures and ice blocks have resulted in considerable trash ending up in the ocean. Moreover, fisherfolk often catch more fish than they can sell, resulting in waste and financial stress due to limited storage options and the high cost of ice and electricity.

The fishing sector holds a real chance for positive change, especially as more people are looking for ways to cut costs. With plenty of sunlight in the area, there’s a great opportunity to bring in sustainable solutions—one such idea is solar-powered cold storage for fish catch and electric outboard motors for boats. But the shift isn’t easy; there’s a knowledge gap, and some folks are hesitant, which is understandable given the lack of awareness, the high upfront costs, and concerns about whether new technologies will work. Making this transition will need careful planning and strong support to overcome these hurdles. With the end goal of adopting sustainable technologies, we can help lower costs and make sure there’s enough food for everyone.

“The potential for solar power in Sumbawa is excellent, so it would be a shame not to utilize it. We want to introduce green practices to the fishermen in Bungin Island, providing a solution to their problems” — Ahmad Jaya (Chief of Technology of Olat Maras Power)

Nova, CEO of Olat Maras, inspects a solar-powered charging station. Photo by Yudha Baskoro

The solution

Our feasibility study

To get this initiative off the ground, we first needed to understand the current situation and the people who live there.

The feasibility study conducted by New Energy Nexus Indonesia and Manussa Consulting focuses on how we can bring solar-powered cold storage and electric outboard motors to Bungin Village’s fishing industry. The goal is to cut carbon emissions and boost economic efficiency by embracing sustainable technology. We surveyed 54 people, including 45 fishers and 9 village fish collectors (Pengepul Ikan), and conducted interviews with 22 representatives from startups, fish collectors, mariculture farmers, fishers, restaurant owners, local government, village enterprises, and banking institutions. The study suggests that providing workshops and financial incentives will be crucial to getting people on board with these new technologies. The financial analysis confirms that the project is feasible, but it will require careful financial planning and backup plans to ensure success.

The study brings to light some major challenges, including the high costs and the fact that many people are unfamiliar with the new technology. We asked locals about their knowledge and understanding of these technologies, their benefits, and climate change in general, and we found that there is a noticeable lack of familiarity, as shown in the chart below.

Noticing this trend, we wanted to gauge how interested people are in adopting and buying the technology. The results reveal that their interest is considered a balance between those who are keen, those who aren’t, and those who are neutral. But when it comes to making a purchase, it turns out that more people seem to shy away, which makes sense given the still low awareness of electric outboard motors.

In contrast to responses about solar-powered cold storage, where people seem to have a better understanding due to existing units available in the village, therefore show more interest in adoption and purchase, although there’s still a high level of disinterest. This highlights how crucial initial awareness and knowledge are.

When we asked why folks were disinterested, most said it was because the unit wasn’t a priority for them and they were worried about the high initial cost. Others were concerned about its capacity and durability.

Offering solutions such as financial support and awareness-raising programs may help bridge these gaps. By involving various stakeholders and pushing for sustainability, the project hopes to set an example for positive change in other coastal communities.

Solar Powered Cold Storage by Olat Maras

Our study reveals that many village fish collectors in larger capacity categories depend on multiple cooling units powered by PLN electricity, leading to significant monthly electricity costs. While fish collectors can store their catch for 2 to 4 days, they often prefer to sell it immediately. Some fishers also use cold storage when they return late from fishing, relying on arrangements with village collectors. To maintain the cold chain, fish collectors use styrofoam boxes and ice blocks, incurring substantial daily expenses.

Recognizing the Island’s abundant solar energy, Olat Maras Power offers sun-powered cold storage to help cut down electricity costs. This new solution addresses the significant economic loss caused by fish spoilage. Previously, fish quality would degrade by an average of 220 kg per month, reaching up to 1.2 tons during peak fishing seasons. With cold storage, fishers can now store their catch longer, reducing waste and increasing the market value of their products. By preventing spoilage—assuming a 25% rate—each fish collector can avoid economic losses of approximately IDR 2,388,750 (~US$147) per month.

“Before we had the cold storage, I always looked for ice blocks. If I couldn’t find it, I had to let the fish rot” — Mrs. Jusmia (a local fishmonger from Bungin Island, user, and beneficiary of the technology)

Fish catch stored in styrofoam boxes, ready to be sold at the market. Photo by Manussa Consulting

A conversation with local fisherfolk for the feasibility study.

Electric Outboard Motors by Maritek

Despite the environmental impact and high costs associated with conventional fuels, many fishers are still unaware of alternatives like electric outboard motors. Our research shows that most fishers don’t know about the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels. In fact, 51% aren’t aware that fossil fuels are a finite resource, and 69% don’t understand the connection between fossil fuels, carbon emissions, and pollution, which contribute to climate change. Additionally, about 90% of fishers are unaware of alternatives such as electric outboard motors.

Switching to electric outboard motors can lead to significant cost savings for fishers, with each person saving around IDR 2,012,500 (~USD 124) per month on conventional fuel. Using solar-powered cold storage can further reduce costs, saving IDR 2,265,000 (~USD 140) on ice blocks and IDR 83,326 (~USD 5) on electricity per 300L storage unit. These savings can greatly boost their profits per delivery cycle, potentially doubling their earnings.

Our approach

While there’s promising interest in solar-powered cold storage and electric outboard motors from fish collectors, mariculture farmers, and restaurant owners, we face challenges like high initial costs and concerns about durability.

To address these issues, we will organize workshops to educate small and medium-scale fish collectors, mariculture farmers, restaurant owners, and other relevant stakeholders. These workshops will focus on the potential cost savings and environmental benefits of these technologies. We will also share case studies, testimonials, and success stories from current users within the community to encourage wider acceptance and adoption.

Our study identifies Pokdakan groups (Kelompok Budidaya Ikan), especially Lelepa boat fishers, as key candidates for this project. They are well-suited for solar-powered cold storage and electric outboard motors and will serve as an ideal starting point for introducing and adopting these technologies. We will run pilot projects with them to give participants firsthand experience with the technology. By collecting and analyzing their feedback, we can refine the technology and address any operational issues, ensuring it meets local needs and builds trust among potential users.

What success looks to us

For these technologies to truly be implemented in the village, we will need to connect with all the key people involved—fish collectors, mariculture farmers, and village officials—who will help build support within the community.

Our approach includes educational workshops, pilot demonstrations, and ongoing feedback mechanisms, with plans to scale up pilot trials to involve more fisherfolks.

We are hoping that the Indonesian government will support sustainability and growth following our pilot trials. Our goal is to develop a comprehensive knowledge base on coastal decarbonization, securing enthusiastic community support and fostering a sense of ownership in the initiative. We are also dedicated to involving youth from the Greater Sumbawa area in innovative projects, inspiring them to address local challenges and actively contribute to the initiative’s success.

In the future, we aim to establish a flexible business model for these technology adoption managed by community-owned enterprises, with a strong emphasis on transparency to navigate social and political challenges effectively.

The Dilau Initiative is supported by the Milkywire Foundation and implemented with help from our partners at Manussa Consulting.

Clayton Franklin with the team at Electric Power Conversions Australia and their electrified Cat 777 100-tonne haul truck.

Supercharge Australia welcomes 12 startups who have accepted our second annual Innovation Challenge—Retrofit Nation!

Beginning in August, we sought startups with solutions to convert half of Australia’s vehicle fleet into electric vehicles (EVs), or 10 million vehicles. To achieve this, they will need to find ways to deploy up to 1.3TWh of batteries that would be required to reach this goal.

Applicants this year will benefit from technical support, networking, mentoring, wide exposure, and introductions to investors and customers in an industry roundtable to accelerate their success.

Delivered over two months with most sessions online, startups will receive advice from international and domestic experts in finance, IP, and business growth, and pitching the opportunity to investors. This will culminate in the second Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge Awards event, in Sydney on November 7. Participants in the inaugural Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge in 2023 raised over AU$48 million in funding after the first Challenge.

Participating startups join a virtual call with the team behind Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenger 2: Retrofit Nation.

“This is the first innovation challenge of its type in Australia to focus on mass EV retrofitting vehicles. With the incredible increase in battery demand this would generate, we aim to change the conversation on the viability of battery and cell manufacturing in Australia, taking advantage of our huge competitive advantage in the lithium battery supply chain,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager for Supercharge Australia.

“Not only would retrofitting half the Australian vehicle fleet to electric vehicles rapidly reduce emissions from transport, it would also support a big capacity uplift in our startup innovation ecosystem and clean energy advanced manufacturing,” said Megan Fisher, CEO of EnergyLab.

The Challenge aims to rapidly decarbonise Australia’s transport sector, which in 2022 contributed to 19% of Australia’s emissions; with trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles accounting for about 40% of the total transport figure. The potential CO2 savings are critically important, and vehicle acquisition cost savings of up to 50% per vehicle in comparison to new purchases have been identified in overseas markets.

Get to know each participating startup’s business model and hear from their founders below (click dropdowns for full descriptions):