Australian energy software start-up lands $1.1 million in funding

Australian clean energy software provider Orkestra Energy has exited stealth mode this week, landing $1.1 million in funding to help expand its team and roll out its software across the country.

Orkestra was founded last year around a software platform designed to help energy companies plan, sell, and optimise the roll-out of new energy deployments. The Orkestra software as a service (SaaS) platform provides energy companies with the tools necessary to best orchestrate their roll-out of renewable energies.

Aiming to help solve the complexity of the roll-out, Orkestra’s software helps companies how best to roll out solar, battery, and e-mobility solutions. Helping energy companies to evaluate the best solutions quickly and accurately for their business customers, the platform allows companies to evaluate project feasibility and determine the best project outcomes.

“Our aim is to be the intelligence layer that underpins clean energy projects around the world,” said Chris Cooper, co-founder and CEO at Orkestra.

“Teams that were previously using excel spreadsheets or outdated software are instantly seeing the value in Orkestra’s offering. So far, we’ve been blown away by the feedback from customers”

“We’re stoked to have partners like Tidal Ventures on board, whose expertise in guiding globally ambitious software startups will give us the best chance of success.”

Orkestra already boasts customers including some of Australia’s biggest names in energy, including Origin and EnergyAustralia. Over 30 leading energy and solar companies from across the country have signed on to use the platform.

The $1.1 million funding round was led by Tidal Ventures with participation from angel investors with links to the energy industry.

“We see an opportunity for Orkestra to be a major data player, providing the enabling technology that can move the market by producing fast, accurate modelling to unlock the deployment of new renewable energy projects and ensure they are predictable and profitable for clean energy providers and their customers,” said Wendell Keuneman, general partner at Tidal Ventures.

“The clean energy transition represents a once-in-a-generation disruption to the energy market, and a unique opportunity to combine profit with purpose. We’re delighted to be backing Chris, James, Michael, and the Orkestra team on their mission to support the rollout of abundant, clean, and low-cost energy.”

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

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