March Week 3, 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.
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With care,
Guillaume and the SBC TEAM
GHG Capture, Use, and Storage
1. Sirona Technologies
Founded: 2023 – Brussels, BE
Founders: Thoralf Gutierrez & Gauthier Limpens
Elevator Pitch: Their mission is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future by leveraging technology to support nature’s carbon cycle through the removal of CO2 from the air and its return to the ground.
Problem they solve: Sirona Technologies addresses the critical need for effective, scalable solutions to actively remove excess atmospheric CO2. Their approach leverages existing technologies, eliminating the long lead times associated with research and development, and enabling immediate action towards mitigating climate impacts. By focusing on practical, engineering-driven solutions, Sirona Technologies fills a vital gap in the fight against climate change, providing an actionable path towards reversing carbon accumulation in the atmosphere.
Impact: Their technology-driven approach contributes directly to reducing global greenhouse gas concentrations, helping to cool the planet and stabilize climate patterns. Additionally, by promoting the integration of human innovation with the natural carbon cycle, Sirona Technologies fosters a sustainable model of development that can be replicated and scaled globally.
Stage: Pre-Seed.
Interested in Sirona Technologies?
To learn more about their technology or get in touch, see here.
Industry (chemical and cement)
2. Sonichem
Founded: 2010 – Melton Mowbray, UK
Leadership: Adrian Black
Elevator Pitch: Sonichem biorefinery technology, developed by Bio-Sep is an ultra-clean way to convert low-value woody biomass (e.g. sawdust) into high-value green chemicals lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose sugars. The technology is being demonstrated on an industrial-scale pilot plant, whilst the company are developing plans to design and build a commercial biorefinery in the year ahead.
Problem they solve: Traditional methods of converting biomass into valuable chemicals typically involve processes that are energy-intensive, environmentally damaging, and inefficient. These conventional approaches often leave a significant carbon footprint and fail to fully exploit the potential of biomass as a resource. Sonichem addresses these issues head-on with its ultrasonic-based technology, providing a cleaner, more efficient alternative.
Impact: By unlocking the full value of biomass while minimizing environmental impact, Sonichem’s process aligns with the urgent global need for sustainable industrial practices and contributes to the reduction of waste and reliance on fossil-based resources.
Stage: Seed.
Interested in Sonichem
If you are interested in learning more, see here.
GHG Capture, Use, and Storage
3. Airhive
Founded: 2022 – London, UK
Founders: Rory Brown & Jasper Wong
Elevator Pitch: Airhive, a DAC innovator is reshaping the carbon removal industry with its hybrid geochemical-DAC technology.
Problem they solve: Traditional carbon capture and storage technologies are often hampered by high costs, energy-intensive processes, and slow deployment rates. Airhive addresses these challenges head-on by utilizing fluidization to enhance the natural carbon-capturing properties of rock minerals, drastically reducing the time and energy required for CO2 removal. Their innovative approach allows for rapid scaling and implementation, bridging the gap between the current capabilities of carbon removal and the global demand for fast and effective solutions.
Impact: By speeding up an inherently slow natural process and adapting it for industrial-scale application, Airhive is paving the way for a cleaner, greener future. Their work represents a crucial step forward in the global efforts to mitigate climate change and achieve net-zero emissions, offering hope and a viable solution to one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Stage: Pre-Seed.
Want to learn more about Airhive?
To learn more about their technology or get in touch see here.
Energy use in Industry and Buildings
4. IPG
Founded: 2016 – London, UK
Leadership: Toby Gill
Problem they solve: Despite the urgent need for clean energy solutions, diesel generators remain ubiquitous due to their reliability and energy security. This reliance on diesel hampers efforts to reduce carbon emissions and stalls the transition to sustainable energy practices. IPG Energy addresses this critical challenge by introducing the IPG Flameless Generator, which offers the same reliability and on-demand power as diesel generators but without the environmental drawbacks. By enabling the use of various fuels, including greener alternatives, IPG Energy allows industries traditionally dependent on diesel to reduce their carbon footprint significantly and move toward cleaner energy solutions without compromising on power availability or operational efficiency.
Impact: By providing a cleaner, versatile alternative that fits seamlessly into existing infrastructures, IPG Energy facilitates a substantial reduction in pollutants and greenhouse gases emitted by traditional diesel generators. This transition not only contributes to cleaner job sites and urban environments but also supports broader goals for climate change mitigation and a sustainable energy future.
Stage: Series A.
Interested in IPG?
To learn more about this company, see here.
Energy use in Industry and Buildings
5. Thorizon
Founded: 2019 – Amsterdam, NL
Founder: Sander De Groot
Elevator Pitch: Thorizon is reshaping the landscape of nuclear energy by unlocking the untapped potential of existing nuclear waste. With a mission to secure a clean energy future and combat climate change, Thorizon’s innovative approach takes nuclear technology to new heights, offering safe, smart, and circular energy solutions. As a team of seasoned nuclear professionals, Thorizon is at the forefront of developing next-generation nuclear reactors that not only enhance fuel efficiency and reduce radioactive waste but also cater to a broader spectrum of energy needs beyond electricity.
Problem they solve: The global energy challenge is multifaceted, extending beyond electricity generation to include heating, clean fuels, and desalination—all areas currently dominated by fossil fuels. Furthermore, existing nuclear waste represents a significant untapped energy resource, yet traditional nuclear energy solutions face public concern over safety and waste. Thorizon tackles these issues head-on by transforming nuclear waste into a valuable energy resource through their groundbreaking MSR technology. This approach not only alleviates safety concerns associated with conventional nuclear reactors but also provides a comprehensive solution that extends clean energy’s reach beyond electricity to meet a wide range of societal needs.
Impact: By utilizing thorium and spent nuclear fuel, their MSR technology minimizes radioactive waste and operates without CO2 emissions, contributing significantly to the global effort to combat climate change. Moreover, the high-temperature steam produced by Thorizon’s reactors offers a clean alternative to fossil fuels for industrial processes, supporting the transition to a decarbonized economy across multiple sectors.
Stage: Seed.
Interested in Thorizon?
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.
