CLEANTECH ACCELERATOR & SCALEUP PROGRAMS
The Melt is launching programs for high-potential and ambitious climate/cleantech and advanced manufacturing founders who are building hardware solutions that help NSW towards net zero ambitions.
Thanks to the generous support from NSW Treasury and our partners, this program is fully funded……so it is FREE for selected participants!
The Melt Engage is a 3-day immersion event. Our first iteration, completed in August 2023, was a huge success. Expressions of interest for the 2024 event are now open to aspiring entrepreneurs, startups and scaleups. Places are strictly limited.
The Melt Nova is a unique 12-month scaleup accelerator and pilot program starting 15 September 2023 with 3-6 months of high-value content at The Melt’s Modern Manufacturing Centre.
What is The Melt Engage Program?
The Melt Engage is an exclusive 3-day immersion event for high-potential entrepreneurs, startups and scaleups that are creating products. The Melt will introduce you to our proven processes and our network of tier one industry partners. This event will showcase the incredible opportunities for you to utilise our world-class Modern Manufacturing Centre, that was recently opened by the Prime Minister, in the Hunter region - NSW's energy heartland. It is FREE for selected participants to attend. You only need to cover the cost of your accomodation.....and we have negotiated a great local deal for that.
What to expect
This is a 3-day program with invaluable workshops and tours of highly innovative industries including energy, resources and agriculture. You’ll learn how The Melt's alumni startups successfully created world-class products that are being exported globally. You will also have exposure and access to our networks of industry partners and their projects and precincts. Here's an overview of our 2023 event as a guide for what you can expect in 2024:
Day 1
Tour the Hunter Innovation Precinct and see why PM Anthony Albanese said “We need these facilities all over Australia!“
How to create world-class hardware with the help of The Melt’s 4P’s; prove, prototype, pilot and produce
Securing investment – explore funding opportunities from Melt Ventures
Cleantech innovators panel and site workshops featuring Melt portfolio alumni and local businesses including; Allegro, MGA Thermal, Resourceful Living
Product tastings, private tour and founder fireside chat at Pukara Estate
Private back-of-house tour of the $75m artworks in the Muswellbrook Regional Art Gallery
Day 2
Learn about Idemitsu‘s Muswellbrook Clean Industries Precinct which includes pumped hydro and large scale solar and energy storage projects
Tour Australia’s oldest coal mine to see how it is now being rehabilitated and transitioned to a major renewable energy site
Visit the Ethtec research and production facility converting biomass into renewable energy
Think global, act local workshop with inspiring local Agtech company Beacon Automation
Two Rivers sumptuous Hunter Valley wine, cheese and antipasto tasting and tour of this local innovation success story
Day 3
- Learn about AGL and their partner’s plans for transforming the former Liddell Power Station into a state-of-the-art precinct, the Hunter Energy Hub, for renewable energy technologies
- Get insight into how MGA Thermal is unlocking zero-carbon renewable energy storage for 24/7 grid and industrial use at their thermal energy storage plant pilot site
- Witness how the world’s largest coal export port is planning to become the “Port of the Future” in Newcastle by regenerating 220-hectares of industrial wasteland into a dedicated Clean Energy Precinct that will position Newcastle and the Hunter Region as a leading production, storage and export hub for products and technologies including hydrogen and green ammonia
It’s FREE for selected participants
EOI FOR 2024 ARE BEING TAKEN NOW!
3-Day Program
Dates: 2024 to be announced
Location: The Melt Modern Manufacturing Centre, Muswellbrook, Hunter Region, NSW
What is The Melt Nova Program?
The Melt Nova is a 12-month tailored growth program for high-potential Australian climate/cleantech and advanced manufacturing hardware ventures.
With the support of The Melt’s expert team and our state-of-the-art facilities in the Hunter region, you’ll have access to all of the resources and guidance you need to navigate new markets and drive growth. As a bonus, you’ll benefit from being part of Australia’s only hardware-focused scaleup program.
You will have the opportunity to explore pilot programs with our partners including AGL and the very progressive Muswellbrook Shire Council is providing access to infrastructure at no cost to local scaleups!
What to expect:
The program will focus on developing:
Sales Expertise
A core function for attracting large scale, globally significant B2B/enterprise customers including utilities. Our expert sales mentors will solve the mystery of enterprise sales for startups and scaleups.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
It’s becoming increasingly necessary for raising capital and customer attraction to ensure you have confidence about any impacts you make or claims to be better than your competitors.
Business Case inc. Commercial Models
Investors and financiers request robust figures for due diligence processes. They are a must when securing funds. Provide the evidence to convert prospects into customers.
Productioneering
The Melt’s 4P's Process focuses on developing the least-riskiest path to product development success.
1. Prove
2. Prototype
3. Pilot
4. Produce
Potential Investment
Receive up to $150k of investment through Melt Ventures with the opportunity for up to $1m future follow-on investment.
Tools and Services
Onsite access to The Melt’s extensive range of additive/subtractive manufacturing and mechatronic tools plus design software to bring your vision to life. Together with support from skilled technicians, engineers and designers, these services are often out of reach for most startups and scaleups.
Networking and Expertise
Work alongside like-minded hardware startups and scaleups and with our industry partners, mentors and trusted service providers during the product development lifecycle.
Linkages and International Connections
While The Melt promotes an Australian home-grown approach to the development of hardware products, we also have linkages to in-demand offshore expertise to help you build competitively at scale.
FAQs:
A hardware accelerator specifically focuses on supporting founders who are creating a business that involves building physical products (usually mechatronic hardware). Physical product development has inherent risks related to the extra cost, time and complexity involved in building these products. Melt Accelerator provides funding as well as a structured process and expert linkages to help founders prove, prototype, pilot and produce their products as efficiently as possible.
Typically, we are looking for electronic or mechatronic type products. Think IoT connected devices, cleantech solutions or products that require advanced manufacturing. But if you aren’t sure, pitch it to us! We’re open minded and we’re here to help.
Absolutely. The Melt is Australia’s only hardware focused accelerator and this is a unique opportunity to leverage expert support to get your product idea off the ground.
Investment
Successful Startups receive up to $150k of investment through the program with the opportunity for further follow-on investment of up to $1m.
Process
The Melt’s 4P process: Prove, Prototype, Pilot and Produce focuses on the least-riskiest path from ideation to product development success.
Tools and services
On-site access to The Melt’s extensive range of additive/subtractive manufacturing and mechatronic tools plus design software will bring your vision to life. Together with support from skilled technicians, engineers and designers, these services are often out of reach for most startup companies.
Networks and Expertise
Work alongside likeminded hardware startup founders and with our industry partners, mentors and trusted service providers during the product development lifecycle.
Linkages
The Melt promotes a “home-grown” in Australia approach to development of hardware products, but we also have linkages to access offshore expertise to help you build competitively at scale.
Any phase.
Prove Stage:
Your product / business is at the ideation stage. In this phase The Melt will first seek to validate the business model and understand the technical risks of the project. A comprehensive business case for further investment is developed.
Prototype Stage:
Your product idea is already validated and is now ready for a looks like/works like prototype to be developed.
Pilot Stage:
You have a prototype that is now ready to be piloted with real customers to gain valuable insights and prepare for manufacturing at scale.
Produce stage:
The product is ready for large scale, low cost manufacture and distribution. The produce stage ensures that input costs are optimised and all logistical aspects are considered, such as packaging, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and distribution efficiency.
Once your expression of interest form has been submitted, Melt Accelerator will contact shortlisted candidates to request an introductory meeting. Following this meeting, startups are required to present a set of prerequisite deliverables to secure entry into the program.
- Business model on a Lean Canvas
- Pitch deck
- Technical risk analysis – An assessment of the technical risks related to building your physical product. This will be performed in conjunction with an independent domain expert nominated by Melt Accelerator
- Trademark and patent planning – An initial report by a Melt Accelerator nominated partner relating to establishing and protecting your IP
No, you will own all of your IP.
The program has a rolling intake, rather than a typical cohort based approach. When Startups apply, they are evaluated on their merits and suitability to join the accelerator program. Successful applicants will commence the program as soon as all prerequisite deliverables have been submitted.
$150k of funding during the Accelerator program with the opportunity of further follow-on investment of up to $1m.when the product is ready to scale.
More info on Melt Ventures
Yes, the expectation is that you will be available to work on your business full time once you are accepted into the program.
They don’t! The Melt Accelerator is a rolling intake so we are constantly evaluating startups for entry to the program.
The Donald Horne Building, The Melt Modern Manufacturing Centre, 140 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, NSW 2333
If this site hasn’t already answered all of your questions, please reach out to contact us via info@themelt.io