Joshua Portlock, Co-Founder and CEO, Electro.Aero
Innovation is rarely the result of a single “eureka” moment—it’s a journey, one that requires curiosity, resilience, and the ability to see possibilities where others see obstacles. It begins with a question, a spark of inspiration that grows into a vision, often challenging the norm and rewriting the rules. Behind every groundbreaking idea, stands someone who dares to think differently, someone who takes calculated risks and embraces the uncertainty that comes with forging new paths. These trailblazers see each setback as a stepping stone and each failure as a lesson that brings them closer to a breakthrough. Through perseverance and a relentless pursuit of improvement, they inspire others to think bigger, dream bolder, and transform the world around them. One such trailblazer is Joshua Portlock, a visionary engineer and sustainability advocate who has made it his mission to blend technical brilliance with eco-conscious innovation, creating solutions to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Joshua’s fascination with engineering and innovation traces back to a childhood visit to the NASA Space Museum in Houston, Texas, where his grandfather first introduced him to the awe-inspiring world of space exploration. Standing beneath the towering Space Shuttle exhibit, young Joshua found himself captivated by the intricate engineering marvels that had carried humanity beyond Earth’s boundaries. Among the keepsakes from that unforgettable day was a poster depicting a boy in an astronaut suit, pointing up at the space station in the stars, with the phrase, “Learn all you can and who knows how far you’ll go.” Those words resonated deeply with Joshua, fueling his curiosity and inspiring him to explore the world of engineering.
Even as a child, Joshua’s curiosity seemed boundless. He was captivated by robotic toys and anything that could fly, often begging his parents for the latest tech gadget. When he finally got his hands on a fancy robot toy that could respond to voice commands and even throw a ball, it didn’t take long for him to start taking it apart. Rather than just playing with it, Joshua dismantled it to uncover the mechanics behind its magic. That mix of curiosity, determination, and a love for discovery became the foundation for his journey into the world of innovation.
The Birth of Electro Ventures
As Joshua grew, so did his passion for engineering and his drive to innovate, which naturally led him to the field of robotics and, later, sustainable energy solutions. With a degree in mechatronic engineering, he delved into the intricacies of flight technology, robotics, and systems integration. He undertook the first year of his PhD in Aerospace Automation, but then pursued commercializing his research in industry, so didn’t need to go back. It was during his time at university that Joshua discovered his true calling: applying engineering principles to solve real-world environmental challenges. His commitment to sustainability took root when he began working on projects that explored cleaner, more efficient ways to power aircraft and vehicles. He became particularly captivated by the potential of electric propulsion systems, seeing in them not just a technological breakthrough but also a key solution to reducing carbon emissions and paving the way for a cleaner, greener future. While working in sustainable innovation, Joshua noticed a glaring gap in Australia’s investment landscape, particularly in Western Australia. There was a severe lack of funding for CleanTech hardware, a sector brimming with potential but without the necessary financial backing to truly take off. Joshua could see the opportunity to fill this void—not just to invest in innovative companies, but to become the leading CleanTech hardware investor in Australia.
When Joshua began pitching his individual companies to local investors, he encountered mixed reactions. While many shared his excitement for the potential of sustainable technologies, they hesitated at the risk of backing a single company—they wanted to back Joshua’s portfolio of ventures, a collection of ideas with the potential to disrupt multiple industries. At the time, Joshua had already co-founded several sustainable innovation companies. However, the shares in these companies were held within his Portlock Innovations Family Trust—an investment vehicle that wasn’t suitable for raising capital on a larger scale. After receiving advice from investors and mentors, Joshua realized that he needed to create a new platform—one that would allow him to attract investment and propel his portfolio companies forward. This led to the birth of Electro Venture Holdings Pty Ltd, now known as Electro Ventures.
Revolutionizing Industries with Sustainable Innovation
With several years of success in commercializing his drone technology, Joshua’s vision began to take shape. In 2014, he founded Electro.Aero to advance electric aviation for sustainable air mobility. “I started Electro.Aero Pty Ltd over 10 years ago to advance electric aviation for sustainable air mobility. It has since evolved into the world’s leading electric aircraft charger manufacturer, as charging infrastructure is one of the most underappreciated yet critical enabling technologies for commercially viable electric flight,” shares Joshua.
Around five years ago, Joshua co-founded ENAUTIC, a spinout born from his expertise in electric propulsion and flight controls. This new venture aimed to bring his passion for sustainable innovation to the world of hydrofoil watercraft, using electric technology to transform how people experience water sports. At the same time, he launched Aqua.Flights to bring electric hydrofoil experiences to the world through eFoil surfboards. In 2020, Joshua became an early angel investor and technical advisor for Fly On E, supporting CEO Korum Ellis in commercializing the Pipistrel Alpha Electro aircraft after Electro.Aero became the first to gain approval for electric aircraft flight training.
Overcoming Early Entrepreneurial Hurdles
Transitioning from an engineer to a business leader was no easy feat for Joshua. He discovered that the engineering curriculum, and even MBA programs, doesn’t prepare you for the realities of running a business, particularly in the tech startup world. In Australia, particularly Western Australia, the appetite for CleanTech investment is limited, making it harder to secure the capital necessary to bring his ideas to life. Unlike his U.S. counterparts who could lean on venture capital, Joshua had to bootstrap his businesses, relying solely on customer revenue to keep them afloat and growing.
Another challenge that caught him by surprise was how his role shifted over time. As a founder, his days became less about engineering and more about managing relationships, navigating uncertainties, and leading teams. “This entrepreneurial path is definitely not for everyone, especially not for the faint-hearted. As illustrious as running a tech startup sounds, it is gruelingly hard and filled with uncertainty and doubt,” Joshua reflects.
Empowering Team through Purpose-Driven Leadership
Joshua’s leadership philosophy is rooted in empowerment and purpose. At Electro.Aero, he inspires his team to be self-sufficient and perform at their best, always keeping their collective mission in sight: advancing sustainable aviation charging solutions to improve air quality and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. He places immense value on mentorship, helping other founders navigate challenges he faced early in his career. As a leader, he strives to foster a culture where innovation is encouraged, and failure isn’t feared but seen as a stepping stone. “You’ll never be in trouble for trying something with good intentions and failing,” he often tells his team, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and moving forward. Additionally, Joshua strongly advocates for employee share programs, believing that a sense of ownership leads to a more engaged and productive workforce.
Navigating Multiple Ventures with Focus and Balance
Managing multiple ventures could easily lead to burnout, but Joshua has learned to navigate the challenge with focus, perspective, and perseverance. He approaches each day with focus, dedicating time to one company at a time while ensuring he’s present with his family when he’s home. “Managing multiple companies within the portfolio actually has its benefits too. It allows me to constantly put everything into perspective—it’s never all bad or all good, as some companies perform better than others at any given time,” asserts Joshua. “I believe I have a higher mental pain tolerance and perseverance than most, as many would have given up in a “deer in headlights” situation. However, I’ve learned to react constructively to challenges and use them as feedback loops to pivot and improve the businesses,” he adds.
Rather than getting overwhelmed, Joshua uses every challenge as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve. This ability to remain constructive in difficult situations allows him to maintain a balance that many founders struggle to achieve.
Sharing Invaluable Insights for Emerging Entrepreneurs
For those venturing into the sustainability and technology sectors, Joshua emphasizes the importance of collaboration and strategic support. He advises budding entrepreneurs to find at least one co-founder who can share the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship and bring complementary skills and perspectives, making the challenging path more manageable. Joshua also underscores the importance of early-stage strategic investments. “Try to seek strategic investments early on, such as angel funding from successful entrepreneurs, or corporate venture capital that has a strategic interest in your sector. Their feedback will be very useful in aligning your commercial strategy with the market interest,” he affirms.
Paving the Way for Future Innovators
Looking ahead, Joshua aims to shift his focus from hands-on executive roles, such as CEO, CTO, and Executive Director, to more strategic positions like non-executive director and advisor. By stepping into these roles, he aims to use his wealth of experience to mentor and guide other founders, empowering them to achieve their full potential and bring innovative ideas to life. Beyond his professional aspirations, Joshua remains deeply committed to his personal life. He prioritizes being a devoted husband to his wife and an involved father to his two sons, ensuring that his family remains at the center of his journey. At the same time, he has ambitious plans to grow the funds under his management, striving to reach the billions. “I aim to grow the funds under management, ideally into the billions, to continue making as much of a positive impact on the environment as possible and supporting climate tech founders in realizing their potential,” concludes Joshua.