August Week 2, 2024: In this weekly series, we highlight 5 climate tech startups to watch by featuring the incredible startups, companies, or projects that are leading the fight against the climate crisis.
Each month, we add these startups to our running list, which we have categorized based on fuel emission sector data from the most detailed, recent data SBC could identify from the World Resource Institute in 2016.
This initiative from Startup Basecamp aims to support founders by giving them access to networking and exposure opportunities that help them to scale and finance their climate tech solutions.
Do not hesitate to join our collective movement by requesting your membership.
With care,
Guillaume and the SBC TEAM
Cross-cutting enablers
1. Enspired Solutions
Founded: 2021 – East Lansing, MI, USA
Founders: Denise Kay & Meng Wang
Elevator Pitch: Enspired Solutions is a women-owned, women-led startup addressing the environmental threat posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” Their breakthrough, USEPA-award-winning technology, the PFASigator™, permanently destroys PFAS, returning them to non-toxic molecular components without requiring off-site disposal.
Problem they solve: Current PFAS remediation methods only capture and transfer the problem, risking re-introduction into the environment. Enspired Solutions provides a permanent, waste-free solution.
Impact: By eliminating PFAS at the molecular level, Enspired Solutions mitigates liability, protects ecosystems, and contributes to a safer, cleaner environment.
Stage: Seed.
Interested in Enspired Solutions?
To learn more about their technology or get in touch, see here.
GHG Capture, Use, and Storage
2. Andes
Founded: 2018 – Alameda, CA, USA
Founders: Gonzalo Fuenzalida- Meriz & Tania Timmermann Aranis
Elevator Pitch: Andes leverages microorganisms to permanently remove CO₂ from the atmosphere by integrating them with agricultural practices. Their innovative technology converts CO₂ into stable minerals within the soil, providing a scalable, low-cost solution for gigaton-scale carbon removal.
Problem they solve: Climate change demands urgent action. Current carbon removal solutions are often expensive or slow to scale. Andes addresses this by transforming agricultural fields into efficient carbon removal systems.
Impact: Andes’ microorganisms enhance soil health while permanently sequestering carbon, ensuring a safer climate and more resilient agricultural ecosystems.
Stage: Series A.
Interested in Andes?
If you are interested in learning more, see here.
Cross-cutting enablers
3. Renewance
Founded: 2016 – Elmhurst, Il, USA
Founders: Sander Jacobs & Tom Newhall
Elevator Pitch: Renewance empowers the decarbonization of power generation and mobility sectors by enabling safe, sustainable use and management of battery-based applications. Their SaaS platform, Renewance Connect®, offers a comprehensive solution for decommissioning, collection, re-use, or recycling of industrial batteries, ensuring cost-effective and eco-friendly lifecycle management.
Problem they solve: Battery management across its lifecycle is complex, costly, and often environmentally harmful. Renewance simplifies this by providing a unified platform for sustainable battery stewardship.
Impact: Renewance reduces environmental impact by promoting responsible battery lifecycle management, ensuring that batteries are handled in a sustainable, compliant, and eco-friendly manner.
Stage: Series A.
Want to learn more about Renewance?
To learn more about their technology or get in touch see here.
Cross-cutting enablers
4. Lotic Labs
Founded: 2016 – Chicago, Il, USA
Founders: Matthew Strongin & Matthew Marshal
Problem they solve: Weather volatility poses significant financial risks to the water sector. Lotic Labs addresses this by providing advanced tools that help manage these risks, making financial outcomes more predictable.
Impact: By optimizing weather risk management, Lotic Labs supports the sustainability and financial resilience of water systems, crucial in the fight against climate change.
Stage: Seed.
Interested in Lotic Labs?
To learn more about this company, see here.
Cross-cutting enablers
5. Aigen
Founded: 2020 – Redmond, WA, USA
Founders: Richard Wurden & Kenny Lee
Elevator Pitch: Aigen is revolutionizing regenerative agriculture with the world’s first AI-driven, solar-powered robotic fleet. These autonomous robots navigate fields, mechanically eliminating herbicide-resistant weeds, reducing chemical reliance, and boosting crop yields.
Problem they solve: Traditional farming relies heavily on harmful chemicals, contributing to environmental degradation. Aigen tackles this by offering a chemical-free solution for weed management, helping farmers grow healthier crops more sustainably.
Impact: Aigen’s robots run entirely on renewable energy, supporting sustainable agriculture by eliminating the need for chemical herbicides and reducing carbon footprints.
Stage: Series A.
Interested in Aigen?
If you are interested in learning more, see here.
Do you know of other startups we should include in our Startups to Watch Series? Submit to our list!
How do these startups fit in with all the others we have looked at?
Check out our running list of the 400+ climate tech startups to watch we have featured.
