Climate tech is a fast-growing sector. This field includes many solutions ranging from renewable energy and carbon capture to sustainable farming and eco-friendly building methods. As the need to address climate issues grows, startups play a key role in making progress and creating powerful solutions.
These new companies aren't just coming up with new technology; they're changing industries and setting higher standards for being eco-friendly. With an emphasis on tech innovation and real-world use, climate tech startups lead the global effort to build a more sustainable future. With climate change escalating as a critical global issue, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. Innovative ventures are stepping up to fill this gap with exceptional technologies. The climate tech sector is on a growth trajectory, with projections indicating it will reach $182.5 billion by 2033. Every year, new startups are joining this field, bringing fresh ideas and solutions to the lead.
Here are the 50 of the most promising and fastest-growing climate tech startups and unicorns. These companies are leading the industry, offering innovative approaches to create a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Jackery, founded in 2012, is a climate tech startup focusing on portable and rechargeable power solutions. Their products are power stations and solar panels, crafted for outdoor adventures and emergencies. By offering clean, renewable energy alternatives to traditional fuel generators, Jackery aims to foster a sustainable lifestyle. This technology allows users to live off-grid, cut their carbon footprint, and relish the outdoors while reducing environmental impact.
Aurora Solar, situated in San Francisco, CA, is the foremost climate tech startup transforming solar energy design with its advanced SaaS platform. Specializing in remote shade analysis, Aurora Solar leverages aerial imagery to help solar companies assess the potential financial returns of their projects and create precise sales proposals. By simplifying the design process (and enhancing project accuracy), Aurora Solar is promoting the adoption of solar energy and progressing sustainable energy solutions.
Northvolt is a notable climate tech startup that creates sustainable lithium-ion batteries. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Stockholm, Northvolt aims to advance battery technology while strongly emphasising environmental care. The company produces new batteries and highlights the recycling and reuse of materials from spent batteries. This approach greatly reduces waste and conserves resources. Since it began, Northvolt has grown into a team with over 1,400 employees, all working toward innovation and supporting a cleaner energy future.
Space Forge is a new and innovative climate tech startup. It aims to tackle sustainability issues using space technology. They work on advanced tech for manufacturing and getting resources in space. This could cut down on resource-heavy launches and help make space operations greener. Their big goal is to help build a sustainable future. This should benefit earth and space exploration alike.
Rad Power Bikes stands as a leading name in electric bikes and accessories. The firm is on a mission to reshape the future of transportation by presenting a varied collection of affordable, efficient and eco-friendly e-bikes.
From 2019 to 2020, Rad Power Bikes saw tremendous growth. They nearly tripled their sales revenue. This impressive spike highlights a rising demand for sustainable travel options. It also emphasizes Rad Power Bikes' unwavering dedication to innovation within the e-bike sector.
AMP Robotics is a leading tech startup changing how waste recycling works with its AI-powered robotic systems. It was created to make recycling better and more efficient. AMP's technology hits an impressive 99% accuracy rate in spotting recyclable materials. This advanced system helps make waste sorting easier (and faster) and greatly boosts recycling rates. Because of its creative efforts in the recycling sector, AMP Robotics earned a spot on the CNBC Disruptor 50 list this year, showing its vital role and leadership in pushing recycling technology forward.
Form Energy stands at the forefront of renewable energy storage. It's focused on crafting cost-effective solutions to boost solar and wind power reliability. Their advanced batteries are designed to store energy for extended periods. This helps tackle the challenge of intermittent renewable sources. It also supports the move toward a fully renewable electricity grid.
The tech that Form Energy boasts can potentially push a global shift towards 100% renewable energy. Back in December, the California Energy Commission granted them a notable $30 million. Now, they are looking to raise an additional $500 million. This funding boost will further the development of their long-duration, multi-day battery systems.
ZeroAvia is leading the way in aviation with its zero-emission hydrogen powertrain technology for aeroplanes. The company aims to make air travel greener by cutting costs and CO2 emissions. They predict a demand of over 100,000 units of their hydrogen powertrain technology in the next decade, highlighting the rising interest in clean aviation solutions and ZeroAvia's key role in driving this transformative shift.
Pachama is a cleantech company that offers a marketplace for organizations to buy credits. It uses AI and machine learning to find and verify forest projects that offset carbon. More than 1,000 companies purchase carbon credits through Pachama's platform. This makes it vital to help offset carbon and support sustainability efforts across industries.
Universal Hydrogen is a cleantech startup focused on hydrogen-powered aviation. It aims to develop the infrastructure needed to make carbon-free air travel more practical. Backed by important investors like Airbus Ventures and JetBlue Technology Ventures, Universal Hydrogen has strong support that illustrates confidence in their sustainable aviation vision.
BluSmart, an India-based all-electric ride-hailing firm, is focused on urban mobility with sustainable solutions. They currently run a fleet of 7,500 electric vehicles. By March 2025, BluSmart aims to grow that number to 13,000. Aside from its ride-hailing services, the company also operates a network of 4 EV chargers spread across 36 EV charging superhubs, supporting the increasing need for electric transportation. In May 2024, BluSmart secured $25 million in Series B funding. This led to a valuation of $250 million and strengthened its drive to pioneer clean mobility.
FreeWire Technologies are an innovator in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. They offer various products designed to meet diverse energy needs. Their lineup includes stationary charging stations and portable charging units known as “Mobi EV”. Additionally, they provide clean power generators called “Mobi Gen.” FreeWire asserts that their solutions deliver 10-20 times more power output when compared to traditional charging units. This positions the company as a leader in offering efficient and scalable EV charging infrastructure.
Nzero is a real-time carbon management and accounting platform. It helps organizations track, manage, and reduce their carbon emissions. The platform uses AI and machine learning to collect first-party data. This data then provides users with predictive analytics to optimise their sustainability efforts.
Since its inception, Nzero has over 1 billion data points. These offer valuable insights for companies seeking efficient and measurable carbon reduction strategies.
GreyParrot is an AI-driven company that specializes in waste analysis technology. It uses computer vision-powered robotic systems to identify, sort, and recover waste on a large scale, greatly improving recycling efficiency.
They have received backing from leading accelerators and venture capital firms such as Plug and Play Tech Center, Creative Destruction Lab, and Candy Ventures. This support underscores GreyParrot's crucial role in transforming waste management and advancing sustainability initiatives.
Carbon Engineering is a clean energy company focused on lowering carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. In 2017, Carbon Engineering hit a huge milestone. They captured CO2 into liquid fuel for the first time. This event marked them as leaders in fighting climate change and promoting sustainable energy solutions.Their pioneering "direct air capture” (DAC) technology pulls CO2 from the air and turns it into usable fuel.
Aclima offers a software platform that helps governments and businesses keep an eye on greenhouse gas emissions and track air quality. Built to show key air quality data, the platform sheds light on important information that protects public health. At present, over 100 local governments use Aclima's tech to gauge and study air quality. Thus, it is an essential tool for tackling environmental issues and enhancing public health outcomes.
Skeleton Technologies leads in manufacturing ultracapacitors, catering to various industries with their top-notch energy storage solutions. Their products include cells, modules, and systems designed for high performance and efficiency. In 2019, the company saw remarkable growth. They tripled their revenue and secured orders exceeding 100 million euros. This success solidified their spot as a vital player in the energy storage market.
Sylvera is a climate tech startup utilizing AI and satellite imagery to accurately measure carbon emissions. This aids companies in achieving their carbon reduction goals. The platform offers real-time, precise data on emissions. This allows businesses to monitor and manage emissions from their supply chains. With Sylvera's insights, companies can make informed decisions concerning their carbon reduction strategies, contributing actively to global climate change mitigation efforts.
Redwood Materials specializes in reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing end-of-life products with advanced technology. Their operations focus on processing electric vehicles, consumer electronics, grid storage systems, and manufacturing waste. By recovering valuable materials, Redwood reduces environmental impact and supports the circular economy. The company boasts several high-profile customers, including Amazon and Panasonic, which solidifies its role as a key player in sustainable resource recovery.
Ekotrope is a software company providing a home energy rating system (HERS) platform called “RATER.” This helps assess the energy efficiency of homes. The platform enables builders and energy raters to analyze and improve the overall energy usage of residential buildings. Currently, 1 in every six new homes in the US is evaluated using Ekotrope's software, making it a widely adopted solution for promoting energy-efficient construction.
Aclymate offers specialized software tailored to aid small businesses in calculating and managing their carbon offsets. The platform streamlines measuring carbon footprints, tracking emissions, and purchasing offsets. It ensures businesses of all sizes can contribute to sustainability goals effectively. By providing user-friendly tools and precise calculations, Aclymate enables small businesses to reduce their environmental impact and achieve reduction objectives.
PAP.EARTH is an innovative AI-powered search engine dedicated to supporting biodiversity protection. Unlike standard search engines, PAP.EARTH allocates a portion of its ad revenue to fund projects aimed at conserving natural habitats. It also helps protect endangered species. By merging advanced search technology with a commitment to environmental preservation, PAP.EARTH seeks to create a positive impact on global biodiversity while offering users efficient and eco-conscious search solutions.
NewWave Biotech specializes in using fungi for carbon sequestration. They focus on innovative solutions to remove carbon from soil. The company's technology utilizes specific fungal strains that enhance the natural processes of carbon capture and storage in soil. This contributes to soil health and reduces atmospheric CO2 levels. Through advancing these biotechnological approaches, NewWave Biotech aims to support sustainable agriculture practices (and mitigate climate change).
Clarasight provides a robust platform that supports companies in crafting, managing, and integrating sustainability plans with meticulous precision to their financial strategies. The platform equips businesses with tools for setting and tracking environmental goals. It also analyzes sustainability metrics and embeds these initiatives into overall business operations. By aligning sustainability efforts closely with financial planning, Clarasight aids businesses in optimizing their environmental impact, improve transparency, and drive long-term sustainability and performance success.
The Climate Choice is an advanced climate data dashboard aimed at helping enterprises and their suppliers manage and improve their environmental impact. The platform offers complete insights into carbon emissions, energy consumption, and other key sustainability metrics. It provides tools for real-time tracking, detailed reporting (and data visualization). This allows organizations to monitor progress effectively, set actionable goals, and integrate climate data into their decision-making processes. By promoting transparency and accountability, The Climate Choice assists businesses in meeting their sustainability objectives and enhancing supply chain resilience.
Mars Materials is at the forefront of commercializing a novel technology that converts captured carbon dioxide into valuable compounds for durable industrial materials. They capture CO2 emissions and transform them into a stable compound. This compound finds use in products like concrete and other construction materials. Mars Materials not only curtails greenhouse gas emissions, but also boosts the sustainability and durability of industrial materials. This approach supports climate change mitigation (and) advances sustainable building practices.
Carbon Limit focuses on cutting-edge concrete technology designed to absorb and capture carbon emissions. Their unique concrete mix contains carbon-absorbing materials that actively draw CO2 from the atmosphere and store it within the concrete structure. This helps to lessen the overall carbon footprint of construction projects while improving the sustainability of built environments. By embedding carbon capture into building materials directly, Carbon Limit aims to aid in climate change mitigation and foster more sustainable construction methods.
Cascadia Seaweed employs advanced aquaculture tech to grow ocean seaweed, which is turned into valuable products like soil supplements and animal feed. Their method emphasizes sustainable seaweed farming that benefits marine ecosystems while offering eco-friendly agriculture and livestock solutions. By processing seaweed into premium supplements, Cascadia Seaweed enhances soil health, boosts crop productivity, and provides a nutritious, sustainable feed alternative for animals, promoting overall environmental sustainability.
Safire Technology focuses on fire-resistant battery solutions for government and commercial sectors. Their technology aims to enhance safety and reliability by preventing thermal runaway and reducing fire risks tied to battery systems. By using innovative materials and design, Safire Technology delivers secure battery solutions. These are suitable for various applications, from critical infrastructure and emergency services to industrial work. Their products meet strict safety standards and support the need for safe, high-performance energy storage systems.
BLIXT improves battery energy storage through advanced algorithms and smart electronics. Their innovative approach fine-tunes energy storage and management with advanced software and hardware. This boosts battery efficiency, extends life, and maximizes performance. BLIXT's tech helps blend energy storage systems into different applications: from renewable energy grids to electric vehicles. This ensures reliable and efficient energy use. Using cutting-edge tech, BLIXT aids the shift to more sustainable energy solutions.
EcoSafi offers a sustainable alternative to coal-fired heaters with eco-pellet-fueled biomass cookers. These cookers use renewable biomass pellets, which cut CO2 emissions and harmful toxins compared to coal methods. EcoSafi’s technology betters air quality and encourages environmental sustainability while being efficient and cost-effective for cooking. By switching coal for eco-friendly pellets, EcoSafi backs cleaner energy practices and helps communities move towards sustainable cooking technologies.
Sesame Solar Inc. specializes in remotely managed, off-grid renewable power systems. Their innovative technology helps manage solar energy solutions in remote and underserved areas, ensuring reliable and sustainable power without depending on traditional infrastructure. By using advanced monitoring and control systems, Sesame Solar Inc. offers real-time insights and optimization for solar setups, making it easier to maintain and scale renewable energy projects in challenging places. Their solutions increase energy accessibility and back the global shift to clean energy sources.
New Sun Road provides cloud-based software for monitoring and managing fleets of renewable energy microgrids. Their advanced platform offers real-time monitoring, control, and optimization for distributed energy systems like solar and wind microgrids. By using cloud technology, New Sun Road allows efficient management and upkeep of these systems from a central spot, boosting performance, reliability, and scalability. Their software supports the integration of renewable energy, aids data-driven decision-making, and ensures the effective operation of microgrids in various settings—from remote communities to urban areas.
Windlift uses advanced drone technology to streamline and cut wind turbine installation costs. Their drones handle key tasks like lifting and positioning turbine parts precisely, greatly reducing labor costs and material usage. By optimizing the installation process, Windlift improves operational efficiency and lowers the environmental impact of wind energy projects. Their inventive approach aids the scaling of renewable energy infrastructure and enhances the overall cost-effectiveness of wind power generation.
Rhythmos offers advanced software solutions to manage electric vehicle (EV) charging and prevent the overloading of existing utility infrastructure, such as transformers. The platform optimizes charging schedules and balances energy distribution, ensuring the additional load from EVs doesn’t exceed local electrical system capacities. By integrating with utility networks and using real-time data analytics, Rhythmos enhances the efficiency and reliability of charging operations while supporting the transition to sustainable transportation. Their technology assists utilities and businesses in handling increased energy demand and maintaining system stability.
Voltpost specializes in transforming existing lamp posts into multifunctional EV charging stations. Their innovative retrofit technology repurposes street lighting infrastructure, offering convenient and accessible EV charging solutions. By incorporating charging capabilities into existing lamp posts, Voltpost maximizes urban infrastructure use and boosts the availability of charging points in public areas. This method supports EV charging network expansion, cuts installation costs, and contributes to a more sustainable and efficient urban mobility ecosystem.
Carnot Engines is at the forefront of developing a zero-emission engine tailored for heavy-duty vehicles, maritime shipping, and off-grid power generation. Their advanced engine technology utilizes groundbreaking clean energy solutions to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, tackling the substantial carbon footprint associated with these areas. By offering a sustainable substitute for conventional diesel and fuel-powered engines, Carnot Engines aids the move towards environmentally friendly transportation and energy systems. Their solutions are designed for high efficiency and performance, helping in the global effort to cut down carbon emissions and combat climate change.
IncentiFind offers a thorough database of green building incentives. It’s designed to help organizations meet their sustainability goals. This platform has detailed info on financial incentives, tax credits, and grants for green building projects. By bringing these resources together, IncentiFind assists businesses, developers, and property owners in finding and using relevant incentives to cut costs and boost environmental performance. This useful tool aims to speed up sustainable building practices and shift towards greener infrastructure.
Bedrock Energy focuses on decarbonizing buildings with emissions-free geothermal energy. Their systems tap into the earth's natural heat to provide heating and cooling solutions that are both efficient and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This also lowers greenhouse gas emissions. By using geothermal tech in building infrastructure, Bedrock Energy helps property owners achieve big energy savings and meet sustainability goals. Their method supports a move to cleaner energy sources, offering long-term environmental benefits.
Lasso Loop Recycling has come up with a remarkable "smart" recycling bin aimed at improving waste management efficiency. This cutting-edge bin is equipped with sensors and automated systems that can identify, sort, and clean recyclable materials. By integrating such advanced technology, Lasso Loop Recycling ensures waste is correctly categorized and properly cleaned before processing. This significantly boosts the quality and efficiency of recycling operations. Their approach cuts down contaminants in recyclables and bolsters effective waste management practices, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Partanna Global stands out as a trailblazing company specializing in carbon-negative concrete. Their innovative concrete technology is crafted to capture more carbon dioxide during production than what gets emitted. This efficiently reduces the overall carbon footprint of construction materials. By using advanced processes and sustainable ingredients, Partanna Global creates concrete that meets high-performance standards while also working toward halting climate change. Their dedication to sustainability promotes greener construction and helps build a more environmentally responsible future.
DirtSat provides an all-inclusive data and software platform designed to help commercial property owners turn rooftops into biosolar roofs. Their state-of-the-art dashboard offers detailed insights and analytics on solar potential, environmental impact, and strategies for optimizing green infrastructure integration. Through data-driven recommendations and actionable insights, DirtSat assists property owners in making well-informed decisions about installing and managing biosolar systems. These systems combine solar energy generation with vegetation to boost building sustainability and energy efficiency.
InsureTEK is a B2B platform committed to mitigating water risk and reducing waste. This applies to both commercial and residential buildings. Their platform offers comprehensive risk management solutions and data analytics. These help identify potential water-related issues, optimize usage, and prevent leaks and inefficiencies. By integrating advanced monitoring systems and predictive analytics, InsureTEK helps property managers (and owners) implement effective strategies. This leads to better management of water resources and minimizes waste. Their solutions contribute to cost savings, enhanced building sustainability, and improved operational efficiency.
Biozeroc is a trailblazer in sustainable construction materials. They specialize in reducing the carbon footprint of concrete manufacturing. Their innovative approach eliminates the use of cement, which is a major contributor to carbon emissions in traditional concrete production. Instead, Biozeroc replaces cement with advanced, low-carbon alternatives. This results in a reduction in carbon emissions by over 85 percent! The groundbreaking technology not only lowers environmental impact but also enhances the sustainability of construction practices. It supports a shift toward greener building solutions.
Cruise stands out as a leading firm in the autonomous vehicle sector. They focus on creating self-driving tech aimed at enhancing urban mobility. Under the ownership of General Motors, Cruise remains devoted to developing advanced autonomous systems that boost safety, efficiency and convenience in transportation. These vehicles are skillfully designed to handle the challenges of busy city environments precisely. Offering a scalable answer for both ride-hailing and public transportation needs, Cruise utilizes state-of-the-art technology coupled with rigorous testing. Their ultimate goal? To revolutionize urban transport while helping to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
GoodLeap is a key player in the fintech world, particularly in sustainable home financing. They provide an array of innovative financial products aimed at making renewable energy and energy-efficient home improvements within reach and budget-friendly. Through their platform, GoodLeap connects homeowners with various financing options for solar panels, energy-saving appliances, and other eco-friendly upgrades. By streamlining the loan process and offering personalized financial solutions, GoodLeap promotes the adoption of sustainable home technologies. This effort plays a significant role in reducing carbon footprints and energy costs.
Octopus Energy excels as a top-tier energy provider specializing in renewable energy solutions paired with cutting-edge technology. Operating out of the UK, they offer various sustainable services like 100% renewable electricity and green gas to homes and businesses alike. The company is celebrated for its dedication to clean energy, fair pricing, and customer-focused service. Utilizing advanced tech and data analytics, Octopus Energy optimizes energy use and ensures service efficiency. Through their efforts, Octopus Energy aims to lead the charge towards a low-carbon future and assist global initiatives to tackle climate change.
Lotus Technology is at the forefront of the automotive industry, specializing in high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced automotive technologies. As a subsidiary of the renowned Lotus Cars, it concentrates on developing cutting-edge EV platforms that provide superior driving dynamics, efficiency, and sustainability. Their technology encompasses advanced battery systems, electric drivetrains, and smart vehicle connectivity solutions. Lotus Technology is committed to pushing automotive engineering boundaries. The aim is to deliver premium electric vehicles that marry luxury with environmental responsibility, thereby contributing to the growth of the electric mobility sector.
Hithium is a leading battery technology firm. It specializes in developing and manufacturing high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Based in China, the company focuses on providing advanced energy storage solutions for various applications, including electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics.
The company is known for its latest battery technologies. These emphasize increased energy density, extended lifespan, and enhanced Safety features. Hithium's commitment to innovation and quality meets the growing demand for reliable and efficient energy storage systems.
Kakao Mobility is a top tech company in South Korea. They focus on transportation services and solutions. It’s part of Kakao Corporation. Kakao Mobility offers ride-hailing, taxi services, and transportation management through the Kakao T platform. They use advanced technology and data to provide efficient and user-friendly transportation options.
The platform includes real-time tracking, easy payment options, and innovative transport solutions. Kakao Mobility works to improve urban transportation and support the move towards smart mobility. They are a key player in the future of integrated and sustainable transport solutions in South Korea and beyond.
That's a wrap for our overview of the quick-growing top climate tech startups for 2024. These companies may be quite different in methods, but they aim for one thing advancing climate solutions. Whether cutting down carbon footprints and improving waste management or creating energy-efficient technologies, every startup plays a unique role in battling climate change.
These startups' impressive strides and creative approaches bring hope for a brighter and more sustainable future. Their ongoing success could drive meaningful positive change in global environmental efforts.