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ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency)

Government fund

Canberra · Pre-Seed–Growth · 19 people tracked

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Investment thesis

ARENA administers Australian Government funding programs supporting renewable energy and low-emissions technology development, demonstration, commercialisation and deployment. Its funding spans large-scale solar, renewable hydrogen, battery storage and manufacturing, clean fuels, low-emissions metals (iron/steel), zero-emissions vehicles, community batteries, microgrids, distributed energy resources, and industrial decarbonisation. Programs such as the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, Solar Sunshot, Hydrogen Headstart, Battery Breakthrough Initiative and the Advancing Renewables Program provide grant funding and revenue support. Applications are expected to align with ARENA's strategic priorities, and support ranges from R&D through pre-commercial deployment across Australia's renewable energy economy.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Growth
HQ
Canberra, AU
Instruments
Grants
Founded
2012

Team · 19 people

from the firm's website & curated
Darren Miller· Chief Executive Officerin

CEO of ARENA since 2018 with over 30 years' experience across renewable energy, electricity retail, technology, finance and investment management. A Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from UNSW.

Zoe von Batenburg· Chief Investment Officer

Oversees development and execution of ARENA's investment opportunities and funding programs. With ARENA since 2017, she previously served as Investment Director focusing on low-emissions metals and industrial decarbonisation.

Viktorija Quartly· Non Executive Directorin

Viktorija Quartly is a communication adviser at the EBRD, where she leads digital communications. She has more than 15 years of international experience in media, digital, and political communications, as well as crisis response, having previously worked with NATO and the BBC. Her work covers content strategy across digital, audiovisual, and traditional platforms, including podcasts, social media, and web.

Angela Karlin

An investor and energy sector expert with 25 years of investment and advisory experience across infrastructure and utilities, particularly energy transition. She established HMC Capital's Energy Transition capability and was previously a Partner at QIC Global Infrastructure.

Bruce Edwards· Head of Division, Net Zero Industriesin

Head of the Net Zero Industries Division in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Secretary's nominee on the ARENA board, with extensive experience in environmental and industry policy.

Chris Faris· Chief Operating Officer

COO since August 2021, overseeing ARENA's legal, people, ICT, risk, government relations and corporate reporting. Brings extensive climate and innovation policy experience across Commonwealth government and international roles.

Dean Travers· Dr

Energy sector executive with more than 25 years of experience in M&A, deal structuring and project development across Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe, formerly head of renewable development at ENGIE Australia. He is a non-executive director of ACEN Corporation and invests in Southeast Asian climate tech with New Energy Nexus Ventures.

Dhruv Vishrani· Chief Strategy Officerin

Leads Strategy, Insights and Performance at ARENA. Brings more than 10 years at McKinsey & Company with strategy and execution experience across heavy industries such as mining, cement and energy.

Elizabeth O’Leary· Deputy Chair

Senior Managing Director in Macquarie Asset Management with over 20 years at Macquarie, including as Global Head of Agriculture & Natural Assets. She serves on the ARENA board and chairs its People and Culture Committee.

Giorgina Strangio· Chief People Officer

Joined ARENA in November 2024 with over 15 years of executive experience leading HR and corporate functions in the public sector, previously Chief People Officer at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Kobad Bhavnagriin

Energy transition expert who was Global Head of Strategy for BloombergNEF, spending 16 years analysing decarbonisation technologies, economics and markets. He advises government, industry and finance and holds academic and advisory positions related to clean energy.

Lara Olsen

Executive with over two decades of leadership across energy, technology and public sectors, including Managing Director of South East Water and Global Head of Business Development and Industrial Products at Tesla USA. She previously held Head of Strategy roles at ARENA and co-founded energy startups.

Marianna O’Gorman· Chair

Chair of the ARENA board with experience in sustainable investment, energy generation, clean tech innovation and public policy, having worked at the World Bank, in Australian government climate and energy policy, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. She co-founded the McKell Institute Queensland and holds a Masters of Climate Change and a law degree.

Paul Jenkin· Chief Financial Officerin

Joined ARENA as CFO in January 2024, bringing experience from financial services organisations including AMP Capital, UBS and BT across funds management, wealth management and asset finance. A Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce from UWA.

Ruby Heardin

Founding director of Alinga Energy Consulting, focused on affordable and sustainable off-grid systems for Indigenous communities, and a descendant of the Jaru people. She previously designed electrical systems and microgrids as a consultant at Arup.

Arno Knebelkamp· Chief Executive Officerin

Deputy chairman of the supervisory board.

François Bouchat· Chief Financial Officerin

Started his career in the public sector advising executives on M&A, financing and tax, focused on the energy sector, before earning an MBA at Kellogg and interning in investment banking at Credit Suisse and Marathon Capital.

Max Saakyan· Board Memberin

Max Saakyan is an Analyst in Gender and Economic Inclusion at the EBRD, where he joined the Communications Department as its first data analyst and developed reporting frameworks for media and social media analysis, campaign evaluations, and executive briefings. During a 2024–2025 secondment with the Gender and Economic Inclusion team, he co-led the Impact Report and served as TC Coordinator, and he has also led AI initiatives and live streaming for the Bank's Annual Meetings. He is the creator of the documentary podcast Uncovering Roots and holds an MSc in Data and Decision Analytics from the University of Southampton and an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics, and Economics.

Thibaut Oosterlinck· Chief Strategy Officerin

Spent most of his career in M&A and investment banking at BNP Paribas in Brussels and Paris, advising large-cap and mid-cap companies and working within the M&A Execution Group and Transportation Industry team.

Frequently asked questions

What stage does ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) invest at?
ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Growth stages.
What sectors does ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) focus on?
ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Cleantech, Climate Tech, Energy, Impact & Social Good, Mobility & Transportation, New Materials.
Where is ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) located?
ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) is headquartered in Canberra, AU.

Images

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