Victorian Cleantech Cluster

What Victorian Cleantech Cluster does

Victorian Cleantech Cluster (VCC) is a nonprofit industry association founded in 2019 and headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The organization operates as an industry network connecting cleantech startups, SMEs, corporates, researchers, investors, and government stakeholders across Victoria's clean technology ecosystem. VCC delivers its value through a portfolio of membership tiers (Startup & Individual through Lifetime), structured programs including the free Cleantech Power On incubator at FB IDEAs in Fishermans Bend and the 8-week Taking Victorian Cleantech Global masterclass, and flagship annual events including the Australian Cleantech Showcase (500+ attendees, 50 exhibitors) and NEXUS Geelong (100-140 guests).

VCC's revenue model combines recurring membership fees, one-time event exhibition and ticket fees, modest masterclass fees ($200/participant), and government partnership support (notably from Global Victoria). Standard exhibition spaces at the Australian Cleantech Showcase are priced at $2,000 with premium at $3,000; early-stage startups access exhibition space for free. The organization maintains a database of 2,000+ industry professionals and markets primarily through LinkedIn, an e-newsletter, and event-driven engagement.

VCC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors chaired by Nigel Murphy (Managing Director of Earth Systems), with board representation spanning environmental services (Earth Systems), ag-tech (Bio-Gene Technology, SmartSense), government (Victorian Government), and technology (Hey Lemonade). Strategic partners include Global Victoria, City of Melbourne, City of Greater Geelong, RMIT, FB IDEAs, Melbourne Climate Network, Earth Systems, Circular Economy Victoria, Climate Zeitgeist, and EIANZ. The organization employs approximately 10 staff and operates with no disclosed external investment, functioning as an incorporated association funded through member dues, event revenue, and partner contributions.

Name

Victorian Cleantech Cluster

Legal name

Victorian Cleantech Cluster Inc

Website

https://victoriancleantech.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Victorian Cleantech Cluster is a nonprofit industry association founded in 2019 that connects Victoria's cleantech startups, SMEs, researchers, investors, and government stakeholders through membership programs, flagship events, an incubator, and an export-readiness masterclass.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cleantech Industry Association / Industry Cluster Network

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Cleantech industry association
• Cleantech startup incubator
• Industry networking events
• Membership-based cluster
• Clean technology commercialization

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: VCC generates revenue through membership fees across multiple tiers (Startup & Individual, Supporting, Sustaining, Benefactor, Lifetime). Members receive benefits including access to business advisory services, event discounts, networking opportunities, and promotional exposure through LinkedIn and e-newsletter.
2. Event and Exhibition Fees: VCC charges fees for exhibition spaces at its flagship showcase events. Standard Space is priced at $2,000, Premium Space at $3,000, with advertising options at $500. Early-stage companies can access the Startup Exhibition for free. Additional revenue is generated through event tickets for the broader Australian Cleantech Showcase.
3. Masterclass Program Fees: The Taking Victorian Cleantech Global masterclass program charges $200 per participant or is included with a paid 2026 VCC membership. The 8-week program supports export-ready cleantech companies with international market expansion planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Victorian Cleantech Cluster (VCC) is a non-profit industry association that connects Victorian cleantech businesses, founders, and other stakeholders with government, research, and finance networks. It provides tiered membership, runs the free Cleantech Power On incubator and the Taking Victorian Cleantech Global masterclass, and hosts major annual events including the Australian Cleantech Showcase, NEXUS Geelong, and the Victorian Cleantech Expo.

Product overview

Victorian Cleantech Cluster (VCC) is an industry network organization that provides a portfolio of programs and services rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include: the Cleantech Power On Incubator (a free 3-month program for startups), the Taking Victorian Cleantech Global Masterclass (8-week international expansion program), Cleantech in Business networking events, the annual Australian Cleantech Showcase event, NEXUS Geelong clean economy showcase, Victoria's Cleantech Roadmap initiative, and VCC Membership/Partnership programs. VCC connects businesses with government, research and finance to drive success and foster innovation in Victoria's cleantech ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cleantech Power On: An incubator program for cleantech startups providing mentorship, training, support, and networking opportunities
• Taking Victorian Cleantech Global Masterclass
• Australian Cleantech Showcase
• NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase
• Victorian Cleantech Expo

Products and services

• VCC Membership Tiered membership program providing networking events, government advocacy, capacity building programs, business advice, and industry partnerships with Growth, Connection, Knowledge, and Advocacy objectives. Tiered categories include Startup & Individual, Supporting, Sustaining, Benefactor, and Lifetime.
• Cleantech Power On Incubator A free three-month incubator program for cleantech innovators providing mentorship, training, support, and networking opportunities. Located at FB IDEAs in Fishermans Bend, Port Melbourne. Equity-free.
• Taking Victorian Cleantech Global Masterclass 8-week international market expansion program helping Victorian cleantech companies assess export readiness, develop market entry strategies, and create Go-to-Global Market Business Plans. $200 per participant or included with paid 2026 VCC membership.
• Australian Cleantech Showcase Annual flagship showcase event featuring exhibitors, pitch competitions, curated sessions, and networking opportunities for the Australian cleantech ecosystem. 500+ attendees, 50 exhibitors, 8 curated sessions. Exhibition pricing: Standard $2,000, Premium $3,000, Startup free.
• NEXUS Geelong Clean Economy Showcase Annual clean economy showcase event in Geelong, presented in partnership with City of Greater Geelong, featuring expert speakers, company displays, and panel discussions. 100-140 guests, 20 expert speakers, 10 companies on display.
• Cleantech in Business (CIB) Networking Program Regular networking events and exclusive partner benefits program bringing together businesses, universities, venture capitalists, and government stakeholders within Victoria's cleantech industry. Features keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
• Victoria's Cleantech Roadmap Initiative Comprehensive industry roadmap initiative developing strategies to support Victoria's clean economy, with a vision for Victoria to be the Southern Hemisphere's capital for cleantech innovation, commercialisation, and uptake.
• VCC Partnership Program Partnership opportunities including Community Partners, Event Partners, Project Partners, Major Partners, and Principal Partners for organizations looking to engage with Victoria's cleantech ecosystem.

Quantifiable outcome

• Geelong's clean economy development has supported 60+ businesses, 700+ new jobs, 2,600+ people trained, and $20m+ in increased cleantech sales through regional clean economy initiatives.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• FB IDEAscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFB IDEAs (Fishermans Bend Innovation Diversity Experimentation Activation) is a government-supported non-profit at Fishermans Bend, Port Melbourne. It serves as the primary host for VCC's Cleantech Power On incubator program, providing co-working space, mentorship support, and operational infrastructure. The partnership enables VCC to deliver programs in the Southern Hemisphere's largest urban renewal precinct.
• Global VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Victoria is a Victorian Government trade and investment agency that supports VCC's Taking Victorian Cleantech Global masterclass program. The partnership enables VCC members to access government export networks, international market intelligence, and regulatory pathway expertise. Global Victoria provides funding support and expert session hosts for the 8-week international expansion program.
• City of MelbournemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCity of Melbourne partners with VCC on events and programs including the Australian Cleantech Showcase and the Taking Victorian Cleantech Global masterclass. The partnership supports Melbourne's positioning as the climate innovation capital of Australia and contributes to the Zero-Carbon Jobs Cluster initiative launched in 2022.
• Melbourne Climate NetworkmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMelbourne Climate Network is an industry-led cluster co-supporting VCC events and promoting Victoria's climate innovation ecosystem. The partnership facilitates cross-network collaboration and amplifies reach to Melbourne's climate-focused professionals.
• RMITmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRMIT University partners with VCC on events and initiatives including the Victorian Cleantech Expo 2022 (held at RMIT's Storey Hall). RMIT Activator also collaborates with VCC on startup and innovation programming, supporting the cleantech founder ecosystem.
• Earth SystemsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Systems is an environmental and social science engineering company and sponsor of VCC events including the From Seed to Scale event and the Australian Cleantech Showcase. Managing Director Nigel Murphy also serves as VCC Board Chair, creating a deep alignment between the organisations.
• City of Greater GeelongcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Greater Geelong partners with VCC on the annual NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase, held at the Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct. This regional partnership supports Geelong's clean economy development, which has already supported 60+ businesses, 700+ jobs, and $20m+ in cleantech sales.
• Climate ZeitgeistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClimate Zeitgeist collaborates with VCC on the Climate Investor Forum, bringing together key market players from cleantech and finance to explore funding pathways for a sustainable future.
• Circular Economy VictoriamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCircular Economy Victoria co-supports VCC events and programs focused on Victoria's circular economy transition. Ian Wong from Circular Economy Victoria speaks at VCC events, and the organisations collaborate on building a stronger circular economy in Victoria.
• Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEIANZ is Australasia's leading body for environmental professionals, representing 3,500+ members. EIANZ exhibitors participate in VCC's Australian Cleantech Showcase to connect with the broader Victorian cleantech community.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cleantech Group: Global cleantech advisory and research firm running industry events, market intelligence, and investor networks. Comparable to VCC's industry association role, though operating at an international scale with broader research and advisory capabilities.
• Stone & Chalk: Australian startup hub and industry network supporting fintech, health, and emerging tech sectors. Comparable as an Australian industry cluster providing membership, events, and policy advocacy, though operating more broadly than VCC's cleantech focus.

Regional players

• Sustainability Victoria: Victorian government statutory agency driving waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability outcomes. Operates in the same Victorian geography as VCC, with overlapping cleantech and circular economy policy mandates and complementary partnership opportunities.
• LaunchVic: Victorian government-backed startup development agency supporting early-stage ventures across sectors. Operates in the same geography as VCC and is referenced as a partner/ecosystem peer, though with a broader (non-cleantech-specific) mandate.
• RMIT Activator: RMIT University's startup and innovation program supporting student and external founders. Operates in the same geography as VCC and partners on cleantech programming, but serves a broader cross-sector founder audience.
• Innovation Quarter (IQ): Dutch cleantech and sustainability cluster organization driving regional economic development in cleantech. Comparable as a regional cluster model connecting startups, government, and research institutions, similar to VCC's role in Victoria.

Emerging players

• ClimateWorks Australia: Australian climate change think tank and foundation supporting decarbonization pathways and policy advocacy. Comparable as a non-profit, mission-driven organization advancing climate and cleantech outcomes in Australia, though focused more on research/policy than startup support.
• New Energy Nexus: International cleantech accelerator network supporting clean energy entrepreneurs across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Comparable as a global ecosystem builder for cleantech startups, providing accelerator programming similar to VCC's Cleantech Power On.

Direct peers

• Climate Salad: Australia's largest climate tech community network connecting founders, investors, and corporates. Directly comparable as an Australian-based, community-led cleantech industry network serving a similar founder and SME audience as VCC.
• EnergyLab: Australia's climate tech accelerator and industry network supporting clean energy startups. Directly comparable to VCC's Cleantech Power On incubator and Cleantech in Business programming for early-stage Australian cleantech ventures.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VicCleantech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cleantechvictoria

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Victorian Cleantech Cluster