We are a specialist sustainability project development and advisory firm. Our focus issingular: helping the projects that have never been done before get done – and shaping the conditions that make them possible.
Why First-of-a-Kind Projects matter
34
%
of cumulative CO₂ reductions needed come from technologies still at prototype or demonstration phase (IEA, 2020)
41
%
rely on technologies not yet commercially deployed at mass-market scale (IEA, 2020)
75
%
of all CO₂ reductions needed depend on technologies that must still reach commercial scale for the first time
FID Gap
FOAK projects are not reaching Final InvestmentDecision at the pace or scale net zero requires
A First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) project is the first commercial-scale deployment of a technology or production pathway. These projects are essential to net zero – but they face challenges standard commercial support can’t address:
supply chains that don’t yet exist, off take structures lenders won’t accept, financing frameworks not designed for first-mover risk, and regulatory regimes that are incomplete or missing entirely. Even the strongest project teams can stall at the last mile.
If we miss the FOAK window, we miss net zero.
What we do
Project Development
"Bottom up"
We embed alongside FOAK project teams – startups and established developers – providing structured support from strategy through offtake design, financial modelling, and investor engagement to financial close.
Advisory
"Top down"
We work with governments, offtakers, and investors to improve adoption readiness – the policy, regulation, offtake structures, and finance frameworks that determine whether FOAK projects can close.
Adoption Readiness:
Great projects won’t reach financial close if the market isn’t ready. And market reforms have no impact without high-quality projects to benefit from them. Cyan Ventures addresses both sides – simultaneously.
Where we work
Who are we?
Our team has spent over two decades at the frontier of sustainability project development and advisory across the Asia-Pacific. We bring together deep project development expertise and policy and commercial advisory capability – from early-stage feasibility through to financial close. There is no other firm in Asia-Pacific focused on both the project development and market eco system challenges of FOAK sustainability transitions.
Dr. Fraser Thompson
Co Founder and Managing Partner
Shaun Chau
Co Founder and Managing Partner
Project Development
FOAK projects face a different challenge than standard infrastructure projects. Supply chains may not exist. Off take contracts don’t yet match what lenders require. Financing structures aren’t designed for first-mover risk. Regulatory regimes are incomplete. Even the strongest founder teams can stall at the last mile.
We embed alongside project teams and provide structured support across the development journey to financial close – bringing sector conviction and the commercial toolkit that FOAK projects need.
How We Support Projects
Projects we’re supporting
Smartizer
An innovative company delivering low-cost battery solutions for renters – addressing one of the largest equity gaps in Australia’s energy transition. We support Smartizer on commercial strategy and market development.
ConnectVPP
An innovative virtual power plant helping households maximise revenue and efficiency from their batteries through access to the FCAS market. We support Connect VPP on commercial structuring and go-to-market strategy.
Aus-Si
An Australian poly silicon producer helping diversify global supply chains and build Australia’s sovereign resilience in a critical solar input. We support Aus-Si on commercial development, financial structuring, and strategic positioning.
Green Fuels Accelerator
A forthcoming Cyan Ventures initiative creating a structured platform to help the most promising low carbon liquid fuel projects in Australia commercialise – with curated support on feed stock development, offtake design, and finance structuring to reach financial close.
Advisory
FOAK projects don’t fail only because of project-level challenges. They fail because the surrounding market – policy settings, offtake norms, financing frameworks – hasn’t developed the adoption readiness to support them. Our advisory addresses this directly.
We work with governments, offtakers, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders to improve the conditions that allow FOAK projects to reach financial close. Our advisory is grounded in direct project development experience – we understand real commercial barriers, not just theoretical ones.
Who We Work With
Policymakers & Government
Mandate design, regulatory reform, market mechanism development, and program design to improve the policy environment for FOAK sectors.
Offtakers
Supporting corporates, airlines, and industrial buyers to develop procurement frameworks and structure offtake that works for both buyer and project.
Investors & Financiers
Market intelligence, sector deep-dives, and investment case analysis to help capital allocators understand FOAK sectors and build conviction.
Industry Groups & Philanthropists
Strategic research, sector analysis, and policy framing for industry associations, foundations, and mission-aligned funders accelerating the transition.
What We Deliver
Research & Market Intelligence
Credible market sizing, cost curve analysis, and demand intelligence designed to build investor conviction and inform policy – work that moves capital and decisions.
Strategy
Sector strategy, market-entry analysis, and competitive positioning for organisations navigating FOAK markets.
Financial Modelling & Economics
Rigorous economic analysis – from project-level economics to sector-wide cost-benefit assessments and fiscal impact analysis.
Regulatory & Policy Design
Co-design of regulatory frameworks, pilot structures, certification regimes, and market mechanisms grounded in what projects need to be bankable.
Examples of Our Work
Low Carbon Fuels
Boeing – New Zealand
Cost-benefit analysis of sustainable aviation fuel pathways and policy options for New Zealand's aviation sector.
View Report →
Low Carbon Fuels
Mission Possible Partnership
Tracking global FOAK project progress in hard-to-abate sectors andidentifying structural barriers to reaching financial close.
Low Carbon Fuels
Airline (Confidential)
Conducted climate risk assessment for airline, including physical and transition risk.
Low Carbon Fuels
Powering Australia – Transport
Tracking global FOAK project progress in hard-to-abate sectors andidentifying structural barriers to reaching financial close.
View Report →
Supply Chains
Federal Government Agency
Where to play and how to win in the solar manufacturing value-chain in Australia.
Supply Chains
India – Australia Innovation
Identifying shared innovation and business opportunities in clean tech manufacturing between India and Australia.
