EnergyLab’s Women in Clean Energy Fellowship, piloted in 2019, will begin its second intake in 2020, sponsored by AusNet.
The program, running in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, aims to create a defined pathway for women entrepreneurs to start clean energy startups by giving them the skills and knowledge they need to embark on a career in entrepreneurship.
EnergyLab CEO, James Tilbury said, “EnergyLab is committed to promoting gender equality in the clean energy sector, and without support from our partners like AusNet Services programs like these wouldn’t be possible.”
Between eight and twelve women with an interest in entrepreneurship will be selected to participate in group mentoring, educational discussions and workshops on startup fundamentals.
Throughout the program, fellowship participants will learn a range of skills, from how to hatch an idea and find co-founders, to how to pitch their startup as well as legal and accounting fundamentals.
The free series of nine evening events, will run over three months between March and May 2020 and will aim to:
- Increase the founders’ knowledge of the energy sector and up-skill in business fundamentals to prepare them for a successful startup journey
- Introduce them to successful women entrepreneurs who can share their journey
- Weave a solid support network by providing a peer group of like-minded women entrepreneurs being at the same stage of their journey.
The fellowship is designed to feed directly into the EnergyLab Pre-Acceleration Program and Acceleration Program, to support the entrepreneurs from the idea stage to running an early-stage startup.
In addition to sponsoring the program, AusNet Services will deliver an energy industry workshop to the fellowship participants.
AusNet Services Executive General Manager, People, Safety and Corporate Affairs, Geraldine Leslie, said, “It is exciting that EnergyLab is supporting Women in the Energy sector. EnergyLab’s networks, combined with our industry expertise, will provide valuable insights for women trying to enter the rapidly growing clean energy industry.
“As an organisation with a strong focus on delivering the transition to clean energy sources, this is a wonderful opportunity to develop the skills and capabilities we need now and into the future.”
EnergyLab Programs Manager, Milly Young, said that they considered the first program a huge success.
“As the program manager, I have undoubtedly seen them become more confident. The workshops gave them a comprehensive overview of the practical steps they need to take to start their entrepreneurial journey and the mentor nights have been critical to introduce them to role models they can identify with,” she said.
To enter the program, prospective entrepreneurs need to submit an application on EnergyLab’s website before Tuesday 21 January 2020.
