Accelerating climate innovation through global collaboration
At Woodside, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. In 2025 we invested more than A$35 million in our collaborations with universities, technology partners, and commercial ventures to advance new ideas and technologies.
By combining our core capabilities with global engagements, we can tackle complex challenges and drive continuous improvement in business innovation.
To turn ideas into impact, innovators need access to customers, investors and strategic partners, which is why we co-created a unique opportunity for Australian start-ups to accelerate climate innovation on a global stage.
In September 2025, Woodside collaborated with Greentown Labs to deliver a Start-up Exchange in Houston, held during the Houston Energy and Climate Start-up Week. Together with Equinor, the program brought seven start-ups – including three from Australia – to one of the world’s leading energy hubs for a week of high-impact engagement.
The entrepreneurs participated in pitches, curated meetings, panels, and networking that provided exposure and the opportunity to form and nurture key relationships in the US market. The week culminated with a large pitch and panel discussion event at the infamous Ion, which gathered more than 350 attendees.
For Australian start-up SpiroPak the exchange opened doors. "For early-stage start-ups like ours, it’s really good to get introductions to big corporates, knowledgeable people on the topic, and the possibility to pitch at various events,” said Jasper Bouwmeester, CEO of SpiroPak.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” another founder reflected:“ Game changing and accelerated our growth timeline.”
The impact was clear to Gabrielle Hall, Australian Consul-General and Trade and Investment Commissioner in Houston. “In my 10 years in government I’ve never seen a corporate lead a delegation of start-ups to an international market and put together something like this. Normally it’s governments that do this. It’s the epitome of a customer-driven approach, ” said Gabrielle.
The exchange illustrated how Woodside can be the connector that opens international markets to early-stage entrepreneurs. The success of the event was demonstrated in the weeks following the program, with start-ups reporting ongoing discussions with several energy majors’ technology scouting teams and early pilot conversations emerging from introductions made in Houston.
A key insight from the Greentown Labs was that international collaboration thrives when driven by market demand and anchored in trusted relationships. Initiatives like this showcase what’s possible when innovation, industry, and international collaboration align to scale solutions that matter.
