Climate-tech company PHNXX raises AUD 1.8mn

The seed funding will be used to scale PHNXX’s modular Grid -in-a-box solution throughout APAC.

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Victoria-based start-up announced on Thursday that it raised an AUD 1.8 million seed round. Investors in the round include Synertec, ENGIE Factory, deep-tech VC Pacific Channel, LaunchVic’s Hugh Victor McKay Fund and a few climate Angels.

Synertec, a listed Australian engineering company, announced a comprehensive partnership with PHNXX that aims to boost PHNXX’s sales efforts while expanding Synertec’s market reach.

PHNXX’s proprietary product consists of a containerised battery and solar solution that can be set-up within hours/days rather than months. The solution is 34 times cleaner than diesel generators and 5 times cheaper on a kilowatt/hour basis.

PHNXX’s products have been engineered in-house and has seen a successful pilot program in Australia, it’s first market. In Q2 2025, PHNXX will launch its first grid-in-a-box systems for existing customers in Singapore and Malaysia. With a sales pipeline of over US $20mn, the fundraise enables PHNXX to focus on executing sales.

The company’s ‘grid-in-a-box’ solution is a modular and scalable energy system designed to assist remote and rural industrial communities - including construction, mining, agriculture, and farming - in their transition to cleaner, more sustainable operations. Engineered for flexibility, PHNXX’s solution adapts to fluctuating operational and seasonal demands, offering a smart, efficient alternative to industries seeking to decarbonize without compromising reliability.

PHNXX’s CEO Joel Tay states: ‘We’re excited to have onboard such amazing investors and partners. We’re on track to abate 100Mt of carbon emissions by 2035, driving significant global impact and reducing industries' environmental footprints. We can’t wait to see our products across Asia in the time to come.’

Michael Carroll, Synertec’s Managing Director adds: “This investment allows Synertec exposure to market sectors that we would not otherwise have. By working together, we will leverage PHNXX’s manufacturing expertise and target market while supporting their vision with our engineering and commercialisation experience.”

"At ENGIE Factory, we don’t just invest in startups—we co-build them with our founders. From day one, we've worked closely with PHNXX as they bring their vision to life. This successful seed round is a testament to the market need for flexible renewable energy systems and the strength of PHNXX’s execution. With an established supply chain system and a tenacious team, PHNXX is well-positioned for expansion, and we’re excited to continue backing them as they scale to new markets,” said Caroline Guyot, Managing Director of ENGIE Factory.

Dr Kate Cornick, CEO of LaunchVic, shared: “The Hugh Victor McKay Fund is thrilled to support PHNXX as they scale their operations and roll out their innovative microgrid technology to remote and rural areas.”

“We are proud to support entrepreneurs like Wei-Chi, Joel, and Benjamin using Victoria as a testbed for the future of farming and look forward to supporting the team as they grow and create jobs – the ultimate goal for us at LaunchVic.”

“PHNXX is an innovative company developing scalable solutions that not only address a large decarbonisation challenge but also deliver tangible economic benefits from the outset. Driven by a passionate team with significant operating experience in the renewable energy sector, we’re thrilled to be supporting a company that is not only tackling one of the world’s most pressing issues but also creating commercially viable, impactful solutions for a sustainable future,” said Dr Ashwath Sundaresan, Pacific Channel Associate Director.