Five climate tech ventures awarded grants to help scale their solutions
NRMA Insurance has launched Help Fund, a new multimillion-dollar initiative that aims to support climate resilience in Australia. In its first year, NRMA Insurance’s Help Fund will provide $1 million across three key pillars: supporting climate tech innovation, sponsoring the development and education of climate leaders and backing community-led resilience.
As part of the Help Fund climate tech innovation pillar, NRMA Insurance today awarded five climate tech ventures $100,000 grants to help scale their pioneering solutions. These targeted grants will enable recipients, from startups to scaleups, to implement community-based projects and supports their potential for future scalability.
Australia is one of the most exposed countries in the world to extreme weather, with droughts, floods, cyclones and bushfires becoming more frequent and severe. The social and economic impacts are growing, with long recovery times and disproportionate effects on vulnerable communities. To combat this issue, innovative, advanced technologies capable of making significant and lasting impacts are required.
NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch said: “In a warming climate, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense across the country. As a nation we must collaborate and innovate to build climate resilience and protect communities.
“Emerging technology is proving to be a powerful tool in this effort. Australia is home to world-class talent at the forefront of climate innovation, and through our Help Fund, we’re proud to support these five inspiring changemakers as they work to safeguard our future.”
To help deliver the innovation grants program, NRMA Insurance has partnered with Climate Salad, a network that supports climate tech companies.
Climate Salad CEO Mick Liubinskas said: “Australia is one of the most nature diverse and climate-exposed countries in the world.
“This has led to the development of unique insights into resilience and has been the catalyst for the development of world leading technology in this country. Despite this, we have underinvested in the implementation of these technologies to help communities adapt, withstand and recover from extreme weather.
“With initiatives like the NRMA Insurance Help Fund, we can accelerate these breakthroughs, keep talent in Australia, and grow industries that will have a lasting positive impact here and around the world.”
In addition to the innovation grants, NRMA Insurance’s Help Fund will support climate resilience through two other key areas:
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Developing climate leaders – NRMA Insurance will offer scholarships to help increase the capability of local leaders through climate resilience training. Over the next year, 20 leaders will participate in the Climate Leadership Accelerator: Into the Arena program delivered by Small Giants Academy, a not-for-profit organisation reimagining leadership for a more inclusive and regenerative future.
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Backing community-led resilience – NRMA Insurance will provide funding to help communities develop and implement community-led plans and solutions to address a changing climate, with the first project to be announced soon.
Reflecting on NRMA Insurance’s history, Ms Batch said: “NRMA Insurance has been protecting what matters for 100 years. Now, we’re looking ahead towards the next century and the ways we can continue to help Australians prepare for what’s to come.
“The NRMA insurance Help Fund builds on our long history of helping communities before and after extreme weather events. Climate risk is complex and far-reaching, so we’re taking a multi-faceted approach – investing in people and ideas with the potential to create meaningful, lasting change.”
The five recipients of the Help Fund innovation grants for 2025 are:
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DNA Energy: air conditioning load control system
DNA Energy develops smart energy solutions that keep critical services running during extreme weather events. Their technology helps buildings use energy more intelligently, reducing strain on the grid while improving resilience for vulnerable communities.
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FloodMapp AUS: operational flood forecasting
FloodMapp provides real-time flood forecasting and impact intelligence. Their technology uses weather, river and mapping data to predict not just flood height, but also the extent, depth and impact to people, homes and infrastructure, delivering localised, actionable flood forecasts at scale.
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GeoNadir: advanced environmental condition assessement
From drones to satellites, GeoNadir empowers organisations to see, measure, and understand environmental change – so they can act with confidence. Their technology and training make Earth observation more accessible, helping communities, researchers, and industries turn complex data into practical insights.
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Rainstick: electric seed treatment for climate resilient crops
Inspired by the traditions of the Maiawali People of central west Queensland, Rainstick’s Variable Electric Field Treatment uses electricity to mimic the natural effects of lightning to grow crops bigger, faster and more sustainably.
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VALAI (Home Efficiency Australia): data-driven household water efficiency tool
VALAI’s Digital Home Energy Assessment and Decision Support Tools make it easier for people to take practical sustainability action within their own homes
To find out more about Help Fund visit www.nrma.com.au/helpfund
About NRMA Insurance: A Help Company
NRMA Insurance is Australia’s most trusted insurance brand1, helping more than 3 million Australians protect what matters.
Help has been at the heart of NRMA Insurance since its beginnings in 1925 as a member-only company that provided motor insurance policies to the first drivers in NSW. NRMA Insurance has grown to become a national brand that helps people protect their cars, homes and businesses. It has a proud history of working with communities to build their resilience against extreme weather and keep people safer on the road. NRMA Insurance helps Australians understand their local risks and prepare for extreme weather through its Help Nation initiative.
NRMA Insurance is backed by IAG, Australia and New Zealand’s largest general insurer.
1Roy Morgan Most Trusted Brands 2025 
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