NERA CEO Miranda Taylor said the inaugural Energy Resources Award as part of the Australian Technologies Competition 2016 was focused on unblocking Australia’s potential to be a world leader in energy resources.

“We are looking to identify, mentor and profile Australia’s leading technology innovators with global potential,” Taylor said.

“Winners will gain access to expert mentors and connections to investors, customers, specialist advisors, grant programs and international markets.”

NERA is one of six national Industry Growth Centres established by the Australian Government to drive innovation, productivity and competitiveness in sectors of competitive strength and strategic priority for Australia.

Its role is to assist the energy resources industry manage cost structures and productivity, direct research to industry needs, deliver the future work skills required to be a global leader and promote fit for purpose regulation.

“NERA’s goal is to maximise value to the Australian economy by having an energy resources industry which is globally competitive, growing, sustainable, innovative and diverse,” Taylor said.

Over the past 5 years, ATC16 has attracted 700 entries, generating $250 million in investment and project opportunities.

To date, 125 companies have benefitted from the Business Accelerator Program and many have gone on to international success.

In August the top semi-finalists across all categories will be announced.

Final winners in each category will be recognised at showcase events in Melbourne as part of the All Energy Conference in October and in Sydney as part of the Startup Sydney week in early November.

Both events will feature the ‘Investor Connect’ speed-dating to help fund company growth.

Entries are due on July 11, and require answering three questions in 200 words or less each, describing the technology or solution, its market and the benefits of the solution for the judges to craft a shortlist.

Entries need to be from Australian companies with local IP – in late stages of development or early commercialisation.

For further information on ATC16 visit https://www.austechcomp.com.

NERA was launched in February to support the oil, gas, CSG, coal, uranium and related service industries in Australia, with a vision is that by 2025 the sector is a “world leader, growing, sustainable, innovative, globally competitive and productive”