PHNXX (pronounced Phoenix) is an Australian renewable energy startup with an ambitious goal to cut 100 million tonnes of carbon emissions within the next decade.
Founded in 2022 by Joel Tay, Benjamin Lam and Wei-Chi Lee, the company is tackling a long-standing challenge by replacing diesel generators in off-grid environments such as farms, mines and construction sites with a cleaner alternative.
While solar and battery systems are typically fixed, PHNXX saw an opportunity to create a modular and mobile solution, what Wei-Chi describes as “a grid on wheels”.
“A dairy farmer needs to milk every day,” he explains. “If the power goes out, diesel generators are expensive and harmful to the environment. We can install a solar and battery-powered system in just 3 to 4 hours with a small team.”
A shared green vision
The founders, who all come from engineering backgrounds, met while working together. They saw firsthand the reliance on diesel in remote operations and began exploring a more sustainable solution.
With support from early investors, PHNXX developed a containerised system designed for flexibility, scalability and rapid deployment.
Rapid global expansion
“We always had ambitions to go global,” Wei-Chi says, “but it happened much faster than we expected.”
After showcasing their product at trade shows in South-East Asia and San Francisco, interest quickly grew. “People were saying, ‘we’ve never seen anything like this before,’” he recalls.
Their technology has since been deployed internationally, including in Singapore and across Australia where the innovation is popular in agriculture, remote communities and the defence sector.
Building confidence through community
For Wei-Chi, who describes himself as an introvert, the support of the Stone and Chalk community has been invaluable.
“There’s always a friendly face,” he says. “It’s a very founder-friendly environment, with tailored events, networking, and opportunities to collaborate.”
He acknowledges that rejection is part of the startup journey but says the feedback that follows is critical. “It helps you become fluent in the startup world, from pitching to positioning your story,” he says.
Advice for future founders
Wei-Chi’s advice is simple: take the chance.
“If you never ask, it will always be a no, but you might just get a yes,” he says.
He also encourages founders to attend events without expectation. “You never know who you will meet or what opportunities might come from it.”
To find out more about PHNXX, visit phnxx.io.
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