Ara Ake
Ara Ake is New Zealand's Crown-funded energy innovation centre, providing commercialisation support, repayable grant funding, multi-stakeholder project facilitation, and global network access to energy startups, industry, and communities advancing the country's energy transition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersNew Plymouth, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ara Ake does
Ara Ake Limited is a New Zealand Crown-funded energy innovation centre established in 2020 and headquartered at 8 Young Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki. The organisation operates as a programme delivery vehicle rather than a product company: it does not develop proprietary technology but instead supports external energy innovators with commercialisation assistance, multi-stakeholder project facilitation, repayable grant co-funding, research and insights, and event-driven knowledge sharing across New Zealand's energy ecosystem. Its mandate is organised around three strategic priority areas — Sustainable Molecules (hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, steel decarbonisation), Flexibility and Distributed Energy Resources (solar, wind, battery storage integration), and Energy Resilience (community-led energy initiatives). Operations are structured around a 14-person team led by Chief Executive Sophie Braggins, with a board chaired by Elena Trout and including directors from Firstgas Group, Methanex New Zealand, and Unison Group. Ara Ake's economic model is grant-based: in July 2023 it secured NZD $70 million from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to extend its operational mandate for approximately 10 years, and it provides services free of charge to beneficiaries including startups (OpenStar Technologies, Cetogenix, Stralis Aircraft, Aspiring Materials), distribution businesses (CentrePort, solarZero), and community organisations. Distribution channels include direct innovator engagement, event-based access, and a curated global network connecting NZ innovators with NREL, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, ARENA, Hydrogen Council NZ, and Enterprise Europe Network.
Ara Ake firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ara Ake
- Legal name
- Ara Ake Limited
- Website
- https://araake.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ara Ake is New Zealand's Crown-funded energy innovation centre, providing commercialisation support, repayable grant funding, multi-stakeholder project facilitation, and global network access to energy startups, industry, and communities advancing the country's energy transition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ara Ake industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Energy Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Public Administration (92), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (926130)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Ara Ake is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Plymouth
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ara Ake business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Ara Ake is primarily funded through Crown funding from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE). In 2023, they received $70 million in additional funding to continue their mandate to accelerate New Zealand's energy transition. The organization provides co-funding support to innovators in the form of repayable grants.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ara Ake product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ara Ake is a New Zealand energy innovation centre that supports energy innovators through commercialisation services, multi-stakeholder facilitation, grant funding administration, research and demonstration, and connections to global expertise. Its purpose is to accelerate the country's transition to a clean, resilient energy future by acting as a neutral intermediary between innovators, industry, communities, iwi, and government.
Product overview
Ara Ake is New Zealand's energy innovation centre focused on advancing the energy sector toward a sustainable future. The organisation offers a portfolio of services including commercialisation support, multi-stakeholder facilitation, global expertise connections, grant support (repayable grants), research and insights, and knowledge sharing through events. Ara Ake operates across three strategic priority areas: Sustainable Molecules (hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, decarbonisation), Flexibility and Distributed Energy Resources (integrating solar, wind, battery storage), and Energy Resilience (locally led community energy solutions). The organisation manages various projects such as the Taranaki Geoheat Discovery Challenge, National Flex Discovery Fund, Community Energy Activator, and CentrePort Battery Energy Storage Pilot, while also producing research reports including annual Impact Reports and technical analyses like the Stationary Battery Energy Storage Systems Analysis.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Energy innovation commercialisation support A service supporting New Zealand energy innovators to move innovations from concept towards commercial deployment, including access to expertise, networks and demonstration pathways.
- Contestable energy innovation grant funding Crown-funded grant support administered by Ara Ake to back New Zealand-based energy innovators, backed by written confirmation of funding from MBIE Chief Executive Carolyn Tremain.
- Multi-stakeholder facilitation and convening Service bringing together industry, communities, iwi, government and innovators to collaborate on shared energy transition challenges, leveraging Ara Ake's neutral, Crown-funded position.
- Flexviz demand-response visualisation platform (OpenADR-based) A demand-response/flexibility visualisation tool built on the OpenADR standard, used to help industries, communities and stakeholders understand energy flexibility concepts.
- Research and demonstration support Support for energy research and demonstration activity in New Zealand, enabling innovators to validate and showcase energy technologies locally.
- Global expertise connections Service connecting New Zealand energy innovators to international expertise and networks to bring global knowledge into local innovation work.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supported installation of solar panels on 630+ homes through Kāinga Ora partnership
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ara Ake
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ara Ake technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
Ara Ake partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ)coreCo-authored the 2026-2027 Geoheat Action Plan to rapidly grow geoheat use throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting delivery of the Government's first-ever geothermal strategy 'From the Ground Up'. The partnership includes goals of five new geoheat projects over 500kW, ten or more workshops/conferences, five site visits, and at least 10 publicly available reports.
- Hydrogen Council (New Zealand)coreJoint hosting of the Q2 Hydrogen Speaker Series on Energy Security & Resilience in New Plymouth on 12 June 2026. The event brings together leading industry voices to discuss how hydrogen can strengthen New Zealand's energy independence.
- OpenStar TechnologiesflagshipAra Ake supports OpenStar with upgrades to their half-tonne doughnut-shaped magnet named Junior. This represents the first global commercial use of a superconducting power supply (flux pump) in a high-field fusion class magnet, bringing fusion energy closer to reality.
- Stralis Aircraft and FabrumflagshipCollaboration to enable Australasia's first liquid-hydrogen-powered flight. Ara Ake supports the design, development and testing of liquid-hydrogen storage tanks and fuel system for Stralis aircraft, integrating Fabrum's lightweight composite tanks and dispensing systems.
- Panasonic NZcorePartnered with CentrePort for supply of battery and inverter packages (1.5MWhr/750kVA) and associated management software for the pilot BESS project.
- Community Energy NetworkcoreCollaboration on the Community Energy Activator programme supporting community organizations to develop energy projects. Partnered with Orion and Ara Ake to deliver the pilot in Canterbury.
- OrioncoreCollaboration on the Community Energy Activator with Ara Ake and Community Energy Network, supporting communities in Canterbury region to develop understanding of designing, building, and managing community-scale energy projects.
- Kāinga OracoreCollaboration on Multiple Trading Relationships trial for homes with solar panels in Wellington region, enabling solar energy sharing trial and pioneering new electricity market solutions.
- Caffeine DailycoreMedia partnership to highlight stories from the energy innovation sector through engaging stories, in-depth interviews, and thought-provoking insights about innovators shaping New Zealand's energy future.
- UndauntedcoreGlobal partnership with UK-based hub for climate innovation, announced May 2025.
- NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)coreGlobal partnership providing access to world-class energy expertise and research capabilities.
- Breakthrough Energy VenturescoreGlobal partnership connecting New Zealand innovators with investment networks and expertise.
- ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency)corePartnership with Australian counterpart to share knowledge and accelerate renewable energy innovation across the Tasman.
- Enterprise Europe NetworkcoreEuropean network partnership providing access to expertise and market connections across Europe.
- EnergyLab AustraliaminorAustralian innovation hub partnership for energy collaboration across the region.
- New Zealand Wind Energy AssociationcoreCo-host of Offshore Renewable Energy Forum 2025, bringing together global industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and developers.
- Venture TaranakicoreRegional development agency partnership, co-hosting Offshore Renewable Energy Forum and collaborating on offshore energy development in Taranaki.
- Taranaki Chamber of CommerceminorCo-host of Offshore Renewable Energy Forum 2025.
- CetogenixcoreAra Ake funding Rotorua-based Cetogenix to accelerate scale-up and deployment of its biogas production technology, targeting increased biogas production in New Zealand.
- Aspiring MaterialscorePartnership with Christchurch cleantech startup turning waste rock into critical minerals and green hydrogen for decarbonization.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ara Ake competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EnergyLab Australia: Australia-based clean energy startup accelerator and innovation hub. EnergyLab is an explicit regional partner of Ara Ake and operates a comparable model of supporting early-stage clean energy founders with programs, networks, and capital connections.
- ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency): Australia's flagship government-funded renewable energy innovation and commercialisation agency. ARENA is the most direct functional analogue to Ara Ake, providing grants, knowledge sharing, and project facilitation for clean energy innovation. Ara Ake explicitly partners with ARENA for trans-Tasman knowledge sharing.
- Callaghan Innovation: New Zealand's primary Crown-funded innovation agency, supporting technology commercialisation and R&D across sectors. Callaghan Innovation is one of Ara Ake's named government partners and operates with a similar grant-facilitating model, though with a broader technology mandate.
- Undaunted: UK-based hub for climate innovation focused on backing entrepreneurs tackling climate change. Undaunted is a named global partner of Ara Ake (announced May 2025) and shares the innovation-accelerator and ecosystem-building mandate, though serving UK-based ventures.
Broad incumbents
- NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory): US Department of Energy national laboratory dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency research. NREL is an explicit global research partner of Ara Ake and shares the mission of advancing energy innovation, though operating at vastly greater scale with research laboratory infrastructure rather than grant-making.
- EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority): New Zealand Government agency focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and reducing emissions. EECA is listed as a key government collaborator with Ara Ake and shares the public-sector energy transition mandate, but is a regulator/fund-manager rather than an innovation-focused commercialisation entity.
Emerging players
- Carbon Trust: International climate and sustainability consultancy working with governments and businesses to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Carbon Trust shares the energy innovation advisory and project facilitation aspects of Ara Ake's mandate, though with a stronger commercial services orientation.
- MaRS Discovery District: Canadian innovation hub supporting science and technology ventures across multiple sectors including clean energy. MaRS shares the model of providing commercialisation support, global network access, and convening functions for innovators, though serving a broader technology mandate and operating as a non-profit with mixed funding.
Regional players
- Venture Taranaki: Taranaki's regional development agency focused on economic development, including energy sector transition. Venture Taranaki is an explicit co-host of the Offshore Renewable Energy Forum with Ara Ake and shares a regional mandate around energy transition, though operating as a general-purpose regional development body.
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI): Ireland's national energy authority tasked with promoting and assisting the development of sustainable energy. SEAI is functionally analogous as a state-backed energy transition body, though operating in a different geography with a broader regulatory remit.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ara Ake social profiles
Digital presenceAra Ake financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ara Ake leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Ara Ake funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ara Ake M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ara Ake
What does Ara Ake do?
Ara Ake is a New Zealand energy innovation centre that supports energy innovators through commercialisation services, multi-stakeholder facilitation, grant funding administration, research and demonstration, and connections to global expertise. Its purpose is to accelerate the country's transition to a clean, resilient energy future by acting as a neutral intermediary between innovators, industry, communities, iwi, and government.
Is Ara Ake a public or private company?
Ara Ake is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ara Ake founded?
Ara Ake was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ara Ake based?
Ara Ake is headquartered in New Plymouth, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Ara Ake make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are Ara Ake's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EnergyLab Australia, ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency), Callaghan Innovation and Undaunted. Broad incumbents are NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) and EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority). Emerging players are Carbon Trust and MaRS Discovery District. Regional players are Venture Taranaki and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Does Ara Ake have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ara Ake.
What industry is Ara Ake in?
Ara Ake's product category is Energy Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAMAJ, Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory. Its NAICS code is 92.