Powercor

Flexible services to roll out in Victoria

ARENA awards United Energy $3.54 million toward an $8 million Victorian trial of demand flexibility, covering hot-water control and dynamic solar export limits across three distribution networks, finishing in 2026.

Also RenewEconomy

Neara powers up to unicorn status with $90 million capital raise

Neara joins the unicorn club after a TCV-led $90 million Series D at a $1.1 billion valuation, with existing backers participating; funds will fuel global expansion and engineering hires.

Also Startup Daily·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·Startup Daily

IND Technology: Investment Notes

Virescent Ventures announces it has invested in grid-tech firm IND Technology's inaugural institutional round, led by Energy Impact Partners and Angeleno Group, profiling the Melbourne company's early fault detection technology, founders and utility customers.

Also SmartCompany·Startup Daily·RenewEconomy·RenewEconomy·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·Startup Daily

Boosting street-side EV charging across Australia

ARENA commits $2.4 million to EVX for 250 kerbside EV chargers across three Australian states, funded through the Driving the Nation Program, with electricity distributors and a retailer supporting the rollout.

Also @AuManufacturing

Fifteen ANZ startups that raised $81 million this week

Round-up reporting Neara's $45 million Series C, Alimetry's US$18 million Series A2, Earthodic's US$4 million seed, and Antler's latest residency intake of startups each receiving $225,000 for 12% stakes.

Also Startup Daily

PE giant buys in as Aussie AI infrastructure start-up raises $45m

Neara, an Australian AI infrastructure startup, raised $45 million led by EQT, Partners Group and Square Peg Capital, with Skip Capital and Prosus Ventures returning; funds target North American and European expansion.

Decarbonising the meat industry using heat pump technology

ARENA grants $838,000 to Hardwick Processors for a demonstration heat pump at its Kyneton meat plant, and has also recently funded Ground Source Systems' solar and ground-source heat pump trial at a NSW broiler facility.

Also @AuManufacturing