Pulse Innovate
Clean energy challenge
Brought to you by EDF power solutions Australia, the Franco-Australian Centre for Energy Transition, and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app University of Technology, Pulse Innovate is a challenge-led program for startups powering the future of energy.
Powering the future of energy
The clean economy is no longer a distant vision. It’s an urgent global transformation. Around the world, markets are racing to decarbonise energy systems, electrify industry and build resilience into infrastructure and supply chains.
France and Australia are both world-class players in this transition – combining deep research and development (R&D) expertise, leading industrial capabilities and cutting-edge innovation ecosystems. France has deep capabilities in energy systems and infrastructure, while Australia offers abundant renewable resources and a track record of commercial-scale project deployment.
Both countries are investing in energy transition – creating fertile ground for international collaboration. But unlocking the full potential of the clean economy requires more than innovation. It demands cross-border partnerships between startups, industry and research to accelerate technologies and deliver real-world impact.
About Pulse Innovate
Pulse Innovate is a challenge-led program to identify breakthrough innovations shaping the future of energy and make connections with key stakeholders. Backed by EDF power solutions Australia (EDFA), Franco-Australian Centre for Energy Transition (FACET) and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app University of Technology, this challenge offers a platform for innovators working at the frontier of climate and energy.
We’re looking for startups developing cutting-edge technologies with prototypes and early traction, ready to pilot, scale and work with the support of international leaders in clean energy. More than a pitch opportunity, Pulse Innovate is a focused challenge designed to help startups pressure-test, refine and elevate their solutions in collaboration with a global energy leader.
What's in it for your startup?
Collaboration pathways
Develop relationships with EDF, FACET and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app for potential strategic pathways to industry pilots, research collaboration and investment opportunities
Expert feedback
Get tailored feedback from commercial advisors and technical specialists during the challenge
Global visibility
Leverage our global footprint across the French-Australian industry networks to elevate your profile among investors, corporates and public-sector stakeholders
Our challenge highlights
Over the course of the challenge, selected startups will participate in a curated mix of expert sessions, market-focused feedback and tailored preparation to maximise exposure and connection to real-world deployment pathways.
Insight webinar
Get exclusive access to EDF, FACET and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app's global insights into clean energy innovation, research and development. Discover success stories and cutting-edge technologies that are strengthening the France-Australia relationship and accelerating the energy transition.
Preliminary due diligence
Go through a structured and founder-friendly due diligence process to help you articulate technical readiness, business model strength and alignment with partner priorities.
Feedback
Work one-on-one with industry mentors and innovation experts to tailor your pitch for commercial audiences – making it sharper, more relevant and investment-ready.
Final showcase
Present your solution to corporate partners, researchers and potential collaborators for a chance to win cash prizes followed by networking opportunities with industry leaders.
What you can expect
Pulse Innovate is a light commitment for startups. The challenge spans across three stages from October to December.
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Stage 1
Online application
Attend the information session and the launch event, and apply by 21 September 2025.
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Stage 2
Initial shortlist
Shortlisted startups commit to a 1-hour insight webinar and a 1-hour preliminary due diligence online meeting with EDF technical specialists and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app commercial experts.
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Stage 3
Final shortlist
Selected finalists join a 1-hour pitch training with feedback and are invited to pitch in person at the December showcase for a $40,000 prize pool.
Our cash prizes
Three cash prizes will be awarded to the winners at the final showcase.
A$20,000
First place
A$15,000
Second place
A$5,000
Third place
Our cash prizes
Three cash prizes will be awarded to the winners at the final showcase.
A$20,000
First place
A$15,000
Second place
A$5,000
Third place
Challenge focus areas
We are seeking startups with innovative and scalable solutions across these areas.
We are looking for solutions that solve issues related to:
- degradation of lithium-based battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- AI development and smart energy management for energy storage optimisation
- short storage life
- dependence on critical materials
- waste generation from BESS
- the durability or cost of battery.
We are looking for solutions that:
- improve system strength amid high penetration of renewable power
- optimise grid connection process and power flow to alleviate grid congestion
- minimise curtailment
- utilise data mining for predictive maintenance and OPEX optimisation.
We are looking for solutions that:
- identify suitable end-use applications
- inform economic feasibility of H2 infrastructure development
- improve electrolyser efficiency and operational flexibility.
We are looking for solutions that:
- enhance long-duration energy storage systems
- optimise on- and off-grid multi-energy low-carbon solutions
- reduce Scope 1 and 2 industrial emissions.
We are looking for solutions that:
- optimise the efficiency of onshore wind farm
- facilitate the deployment of offshore wind farm
- enable AI energy management.
Missed our information session?
There is still time to learn more about the challenge and what you need to apply. Simply watch the recording of the session or download the presentation slideshow.
Join our challenge launch
All applicants and interested stakeholders are invited to our challenge launch. To receive an invitation or for more details, please email Jenny Bevis at jbevis@swinburne.edu.au.
About our partners
Get to know the organisations bringing Pulse Innovate to life together with ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app University of Technology.
EDF power solutions Australia is a subsidiary of EDF power solutions, which is an entity of EDF Group – a company incorporated in France and 100 percent owned by the French Government.
As one of the world’s largest low-carbon energy producers, EDF Group operates across the full energy value chain in over 25 countries and is supported by 182,000 employees and strong financial capacity (with A$610 billion in balance sheet and A$200 billion in turnover).
Globally, EDF has an installed capacity of approximately 118.8 GW that generates over 520 TWh of electricity – 94 percent of which is carbon-free. Leveraging expertise for tailor-made offers to customers, EDF power solutions drives the decarbonisation and global performance of electrical systems.
In Australia, EDFA leads strategic investments across the electricity market value chain, including renewable energy, energy storage, transmission, integrated decarbonisation, and alternative clean fuels.
The Franco-Australian Centre for Energy Transition (FACET) is a historic partnership between France and Australia to foster strategic collaboration on sustainable energy solutions and support the transition to clean energy in both countries and across the Indo-Pacific region.
FACET is co-led by The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) at Université Grenoble-Alpes and hosted at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app University of Technology.
Frequently asked questions
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Wednesday 20 August |
| Information session | Wednesday 3 September |
| Applications close | Sunday 21 September |
| Shortlist announcement | Monday 6 October |
| Insight webinar | Thursday 16 October |
| Due diligence week | Monday 20 October |
| Finalists announcement | Friday 31 October |
| Pitch training | Wednesday 12 November |
| Final showcase | Wednesday 3 December |
This founder-friendly challenge will run from October to December with a light time commitment. The key touchpoints are: a webinar (1 hour), preliminary due diligence session (1 hour), pitch training with feedback (1 hour) and the final showcase event (approximately 4 hours).
Startups with prototypes, early commercial traction and demonstrable readiness. You must be working on a solution for the Australian market in Renewable energy generation, Energy storage, Transmission, Clean fuels and Integrated decarbonisation.
No, there is no cost to apply or participate in the challenge. The challenge is funded by partners to support innovation aligned with energy transition priorities.
Startups from Australia, France and the Indo-Pacific are invited to apply as long as they have operations in Australia or intend to enter the Australian market. Beyond the local impact, the challenge opens doors to global expansion - with France providing a strategic gateway into the European energy ecosystem. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate regional relevance, while laying the foundations to scale internationally.
We’re looking for startups that have moved beyond ideation and are developing or piloting functional prototypes with some degree of technical validation or commercial interest. This includes Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to 8.
Applications will be assessed on:
- technical merit and innovation
- alignment with EDF and FACET priority areas
- potential for commercial or research collaboration
- team capability and readiness to engage.
Travel support may be provided for selected finalists to attend key events (such as the final showcase) or curated partner engagement sessions depending on location and format. More details will be shared with successful applicants.
Startups may unlock opportunities to:
- explore pilot initiatives and forge strategic collaborations with EDFA
- develop research partnerships through FACET and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app
- increase visibility through introduction to investors and market partners
- win a cash prize at the final showcase.
Ready to apply?
Please read our terms and conditions [PDF 322KB] before submitting your application.