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Startup stars of 2024 turning ideas into impact

Introducing the 2024 I2N Accelerator (All-Industries and Cleantech) where innovation meets impact across the Hunter and Central Coast regions.

Our 2024 innovators have seized opportunities to disrupt industries and change lives by creating new markets with their groundbreaking ideas, taking them from concept to breakthrough with the help of some of Australia’s leading commercialisation experts. The region has proven a launchpad for growth, attracting attention from innovators and investors with its renewable energy zones, advanced manufacturing, expansive space and rich tapestry of local expertise.

I2N Accelerator cohort 2024

Want to catch these founders in action? Join us at the I2N Accelerator Demo Night November 6, live at I2N Hub Honeysuckle

An end-of-life app, a lifesaving robot, wild yeast, accessible beauty and green hydrogen from biomass. This is not your typical tech startup cohort. And coming in over and above industry average, seven of the ten teams featured are female-led and almost half the overall cohort participants are female.

Scroll down to meet the changemakers who have unlocked viable opportunities, and are set to develop, scale, and dominate the market, turning their vision into a reality.

Our 2024 I2N Accelerator (All-Industries and Cleantech) cohort is proudly supported by the Port of Newcastle and the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) with a dedication and focus on moving innovative ideas out of the lab, and into global manufacturing.

Meet this year’s Cleantech all-stars

EM Energy

The powerhouse team behind EM Energy have cracked the code for green hydrogen production, turning biomass and coal waste into hydrogen gas without relying on heat, electricity, or bacteria. Imagine on-site hydrogen production from various coal and waste streams—perfect for industrial heating and sustainable fuel without any greenhouse gas emissions. With an MOU, grant funding, and government backing already secured, EM Energy is ready to disrupt fossil fuels and waste markets. Led by experienced technology inventor Isabel Toasa and seasoned entrepreneur Chris Wilson, with research assistants Kesha Manimaran and Rakesh Rao they're making impact with their sustainable tech and vision.

EM Energy team members Chris Wilson, Isabel Toasa and Kesha Manimaran

Facet Amtech

Facet Amtech is using catalyst tech to lead the transition towards clean ammonia production. Their breakthrough solution slashes environmental impact, boosts efficiency, and paves the way for green ammonia reactors. With a pilot in the pipeline, founder Dr. Peter Richardson is leading the charge. Facet Amtech is primed to shake up the clean energy scene and become a major player in the decarbonisation revolution.

Founder of Facet Amtech, Dr. Peter Richardson

Wild Yeast Zoo

Yeast… the beloved catalyst for sourdough home chefs and master brewers. But what if it could revolutionise industries? Wild Yeast Zoo have meticulously foraged over 500 wild yeasts and are driving innovation in biofuels, food and beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. What started as a citizen science project is now well on its way to 10,000 yeasts. With early customers and strategic agreements in place, the energetic team, founded by Claudia Holt, Evan Gibbs , Dr. Ben Matthews, and with biochemist Dr. Peter Lewis, are seeking pre-seed funding to scale up and drive sustainable solutions across industries.

Two of Wild Yeast Zoo’s co-founders Dr. Ben Matthews and Evan Gibbs

Cloud Grow

Cloud Grow are transforming urban landscapes. If water is the life blood of the planet, irrigation is its heart and veins. Cloud Grow represents the brain tying it all-together with real-time monitoring and analytics to provide green infrastructure exactly what it needs. Building on this momentum, Cloud Grow is forging key partnerships with green infrastructure leaders. Together, co-founders Jared Lawlor and Claire Jones are setting the standard for sustainable urban solutions in city gardens.

Cloud Grow co-founders Jared Lawlor and Claire Jones

OperisAI

Co-founders Mehdi Abedi and Andrew Sturt are shaking up community and patient transport, as well as aged care and disability rostering, with OperisAI—an AI-driven "Optimisation as a Service" (OaaS) platform. Their tech slashes inefficiencies in transport scheduling and rostering, trims vehicle use, and reduces carbon emissions. With real-time updates and data-powered simulations, it seamlessly integrates via API to supercharge operations. Tackling everything from specialised vehicles to dynamic routing and workforce optimisation, OperisAI is on a mission to transform community transport and care service delivery.

OperisAI co-founders Andrew Sturt and Mehdi Abedi

Meet the status quo- shifting All-Industries cohort

Adios

End of life is an inevitability and removing the stigma and taboo nature of these discussions is exactly what founders Petrina (Nook) O’Dea and Jesso Delahunty are trying to do. They are tackling this critical issue with their innovative platform Adios, a user-friendly app designed to educate and simplify end-of-life planning for Australians.

Adios offers a comprehensive 10-step process covering everything from care directives to personal preferences, helping people understand the importance and address the process with greater confidence. Currently in early development, the app has already garnered positive feedback from over 100 users and industry professionals. With a growing awareness campaign, Adios aims to make end-of-life planning more accessible and less burdensome for loved ones.

Adios co-founders Petrina (Nook) O’Dea and Jesso Delahunty

ByStorm Beauty

Imagine if the simple act of opening a make-up bottle was impossible for you? ByStorm Beauty is on a mission to transform makeup accessories for people with disabilities, proving that inclusivity can be glamorous too. Their innovative designs, developed with input from the disability community and occupational therapists, promise to make applying makeup easier and more enjoyable. With only 2% of beauty brands addressing this need, ByStorm is leading the charge to fill this huge gap in the market. With hundreds of potential customers both in Australia and globally already on their waitlist the future is looking bright for founder Storm Menzies, who plans to take the world ByStorm with her makeup and beauty accessories.

ByStorm founder Storm Menzies

FG

FG is kicking down barriers with female-specific protective gear for contact sports. Founder Catherine Zontos and Business Development Manager Conan Hill spotted a major gap and jumped in with both feet. With two products already on the market and two more in the works, they’re gaining momentum through online sales, club bookings, and bulk orders across Australia—and even sparking interest in New Zealand. Aiming at female athletes, parents, clubs, and schools, FG is ready to tackle the demand for top-notch protection in women’s sports.

Founder of FG Catherine Zontos

IhydRATE

Founder Lisa Winn is leading the charge with IhydRATE and its groundbreaking product, Salhy—a saliva-based hydration test that syncs with your smartphone for instant results. Salhy uses biomarkers and cutting-edge machine vision software, perfect for high-risk fields like mining and firefighting, plus athletes and at-risk groups. After successful pilot trials, IhydRATE is gearing up for commercialisation with revenue streams from test strips, enterprise software, and hydration consulting. With her IP strategy well underway and local manufacturing on the horizon, this company is set to make a splash both locally and globally.

Founder of IhydRATE Lisa Winn

Robotic Surf Lifesaving

No stranger to startup success stories, founder Boris Novak is at the helm of Robotic Surf Life Saving, bringing the RoboDucky to the forefront of surf rescue innovation. The RoboDucky turbocharges response times and tackles tough training challenges with its self-righting, autonomous station hold, and suitably sized battery. Ready for global impact with a technology partnership and proof of concept trials, Robotic Surf Life Saving is set to lead the charge in beach and water rescue worldwide. With his industry experience and penchant for taking novel concepts into reality, Boris’ mentoring of business manager Peter Chatwin to take this new venture forward has us buzzing with excitement.

Founder of Robotic Surf Life Saving Boris Novak

Boris