Direct Energy

The renovation of an old family home provided the spark for Donald Payne, Justin McFarlane and Robert Rechtman to create Direct Energy.

In searching for a source of clean energy to power the home, Payne sought to install a geothermal heat pump – a system that uses heat from under the Earth’s surface to warm and cool a property.

Realising that there was a gap in the Australian geothermal market, the trio set up Direct Energy, which provides heat pumps to properties under licence from a US company. Within nine months of starting up in 2009, the company achieved $1 million in revenue.

The founders speak to StartupSmart editor about the success of the business, which won the Best Green Start-up at the recent StartupSmart Awards.