On 28 May 2025, Unleash live CEO and Co-founder Hanno Blankenstein was the keynote speaker and joined an influential panel at the Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub event—an evening dedicated to advancing thought leadership around Australia’s evolving energy future. The event was held at Swinburne University of Technology, Advanced Technology Centre, in Melbourne and brought together more than 150 attendees from across the energy, technology, and policy landscape.
With shifting geopolitical forces, changing energy policy, and the acceleration of digital technologies such as AI and automation, this forum provided a timely opportunity to explore how collaboration can drive innovation in energy systems—and how Australia can lead in this global transformation.
Thought Leadership on a Critical Transition
Hanno joined a panel of respected leaders, including:
Moderated by Mai Dang of Siemens Australia, the conversation centred around key questions:
- What does a resilient and adaptable energy grid look like in the face of rapid change?
- How do we balance innovation with inclusivity, ensuring communities are part of the energy transition?
- And what role does real-time data and digital infrastructure play in transforming legacy systems?
As the founder of a company operating at the intersection of AI, video analytics, and critical infrastructure, Hanno offered practical insight into how live visual data is enabling energy providers and governments to:
- Automate and scale asset inspections
- Detect issues before they escalate
- Respond to environmental events faster and more safely
“Digital transformation in energy isn't just about efficiency—it’s about resilience, visibility, and agility,” CEO, Hanno Blankenstein said. “With real-time data, we’re giving operators the tools to act, not just react.”
Celebrating a Major Milestone for Unleash live
The event also provided a moment of celebration for the Unleash live team. Just days earlier, we had announced the close of our $17 million Series B funding round. This brings our valuation to over $100 million—a key validation of our strategy, technology, and growing market presence in Australia, the US, and Europe.
The funding will accelerate our global growth in industries like:
- Energy, Utilities and renewables, where demand for inspection automation and grid visualisation is growing
- Mining and Oil & Gas, where safety and asset uptime are mission-critical
- Transport and infrastructure, where operational oversight at scale is essential
A Shared Commitment to Energy Innovation
Our participation in this event reflects a broader commitment to collaboration across sectors—industry, academia, and government. Events like this are crucial to surfacing new ideas, aligning agendas, and ensuring the energy transition is supported by both strong policy and cutting-edge technology.
Unleash live is a founding partner in the Siemens Xcelerator Programme and a strong supporter of the Siemens Carbon Neutral transition initiatives.
We’d like to thank Siemens and Swinburne University of Technology—and especially Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian—for hosting such a timely and well-curated event. The Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub is quickly becoming a vital space for dialogue and experimentation in Australia’s clean energy future.
We look forward to deepening our involvement and sharing more in the months ahead—including the upcoming release of our Endeavour Energy case study, showcasing how visual analytics is helping reshape frontline operations in the energy sector.
Related Links:
🔗 Learn more about the Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub
🔗 Explore Unleash live’s Series B announcement
🔗 Unleash live's CEO, Hanno Blankenstein on Siemens Beyond 1% Summit Panel
