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By Warrence Oghenevwegba
Published on: August 7, 2024, 6:10 P.M
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
— Margaret Mead
As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change, pollution, and resource depletion, a new wave of startups is stepping up with innovative solutions aimed at fostering environmental sustainability. These companies, hailing from diverse regions across the globe, are leveraging cutting-edge technology, creative business models, and a commitment to social impact to address some of the most critical environmental issues of our time. From renewable energy and carbon capture to waste management and sustainable agriculture, these startups are not only transforming their industries but also making a significant difference in the global fight against environmental degradation.
In this article, we highlight 20 pioneering environmental startups that are driving positive change around the world. These companies represent the future of green innovation and offer hope for a more sustainable and resilient planet.
Climeworks was founded in 2009 by Christoph Gebald and Jan Wurzbacher with the mission to combat climate change through direct air capture technology. Their facilities use large fans to pull air into a chemical filter that captures CO2. The captured CO2 is then either stored underground or used in products like synthetic fuels. Their plant in Iceland, known as Orca, is one of the world's largest DAC facilities, demonstrating the potential for scaling up this technology. Climeworks' work is critical in the effort to mitigate global warming by removing CO2 directly from the atmosphere.
Pachama, founded in 2018 by Diego Saez-Gil and Eugenio Pace, leverages AI and satellite technology to enhance forest conservation and carbon offset projects. By using machine learning algorithms to analyze satellite imagery, Pachama provides accurate and real-time data on forest health and carbon sequestration. This technology helps verify the effectiveness of reforestation projects and ensures that carbon credits are valid and impactful. Pachama's platform enables companies to invest in verified carbon offsets, supporting global efforts to combat climate change.
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Founded in 2015 by Lucas Despres, Jamie Crummie, and Mette Lykke, Too Good To Go is a mobile app designed to tackle food waste. The app connects users with restaurants, cafes, and stores that have surplus food at the end of the day, offering it at discounted prices. By purchasing this surplus food, users help reduce the amount of food that would otherwise be wasted. With millions of users across Europe and North America, the app has saved millions of meals and continues to grow its impact in reducing food waste.
Ecopia was established in 2016 by Michael Lynch and Ehab Sayed. The company specializes in using AI to create high-resolution, detailed maps from satellite imagery. These maps are valuable for urban planning and sustainable development, helping cities design better infrastructure and manage resources more effectively. Ecopia's technology is used for a range of applications, including planning green spaces, managing transportation networks, and responding to environmental disasters.
Founded in 2014 by Pierre Paslier and Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, Notpla is known for its innovative approach to biodegradable packaging. Their products are made from seaweed, a renewable resource that degrades naturally, offering an alternative to single-use plastics. Notpla's packaging solutions include edible water pods and biodegradable containers, which help reduce plastic pollution and promote more sustainable consumption practices.
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M-KOPA was founded in 2011 by Jesse Moore, Chad Larson, and Nick Hughes. The company provides affordable solar power solutions to off-grid homes in Kenya and other parts of Africa. Their pay-as-you-go model allows users to access solar energy through small, incremental payments. M-KOPA's solar home systems include panels, batteries, and LED lights, improving energy access and reducing dependence on kerosene lamps. Their work has a significant impact on energy poverty, health, and economic opportunities in rural areas.
Established in 2019 by George Peppou and Matt Barnett, Vow is a pioneer in lab-grown meat technology. By using cellular agriculture, Vow cultivates meat from animal cells without the need for traditional livestock farming. This method reduces greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption associated with conventional meat production. Vow's approach aims to create a more sustainable and ethical food system, addressing the environmental challenges of meat production.
Zola Electric, formerly known as Off Grid Electric, was founded in 2012 by Xavier Helgesen, Josh Sandler, and Jeremy Hanley. The company provides solar energy solutions to underserved communities in Africa. Their solar home systems are designed to be affordable and scalable, offering reliable power for lighting, charging, and small appliances. Zola Electric's solutions improve energy access and support economic development in remote areas.
Goterra, founded in 2017 by Jason Gilmour and Dr. Skye O’Halloran, focuses on converting food waste into insect protein. Their system uses black soldier fly larvae to break down organic waste, producing protein-rich feed for animals and nutrient-rich compost. Goterra’s approach supports circular economy principles by turning food waste into valuable resources, contributing to sustainable waste management and agriculture.
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Founded in 2017 by Greg Constantine and Caro Agon, Air Company transforms captured CO2 into sustainable alcohols through a chemical process. Their technology converts CO2 into ethanol, which is then used to produce high-quality, eco-friendly spirits. By utilizing CO2 as a feedstock, Air Company reduces reliance on fossil fuels and offers a novel approach to sustainable production in the beverage industry.
Wecyclers is a pioneering Nigerian waste management company that tackles the challenge of urban waste through an innovative, community-driven recycling service. Founded in 2012, Wecyclers empowers low-income communities by collecting recyclables such as plastics, aluminum cans, and paper using specially designed cargo bicycles, or "wecycles." In return, residents earn points that can be redeemed for essential goods, creating an incentive to participate in recycling while providing additional income. Wecyclers partners with local governments and organizations to reduce landfill waste, improve public health, and foster environmental sustainability, transforming waste management practices in Nigeria's densely populated cities.
Nori, established in 2017 by Paul Gambill, focuses on carbon removal through regenerative agriculture. The company's platform supports farmers in adopting practices that sequester carbon in soil, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage. Nori offers a marketplace for carbon credits, allowing businesses to invest in verified carbon removal projects and support sustainable agriculture.
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13. Tulaa (Kenya)
13. Tulaa (Kenya)
Founded in 2014 by Patrick Awuondo, Tulaa is a mobile platform that connects farmers with agricultural inputs, financial services, and information. The platform aims to improve productivity and sustainability in farming by providing access to resources and support. Tulaa’s services help farmers adopt better practices, increase yields, and access markets, contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture in Kenya.
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Restor, formerly known as BioCarbon Engineering, founded in 2015 by Lauren Fletcher, uses drone technology for large-scale reforestation. The company’s drones can plant trees more efficiently and cost-effectively than traditional methods. By deploying drones to deliver seed pods, BioCarbon Engineering aims to restore degraded lands and contribute to global reforestation efforts.
LanzaTech, founded in 2005 by Dr. Sean Simpson, uses a gas fermentation process to convert industrial emissions into valuable products. The company's technology captures carbon-rich emissions and uses bacteria to ferment them into ethanol and other chemicals. LanzaTech’s approach helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provides a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based products.
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), founded in 2010, focuses on improving sustainability in the apparel and footwear industries. The coalition developed the Higg Index, a set of tools and standards for measuring environmental and social impacts. By promoting transparency and collaboration, SAC helps companies reduce their environmental footprint and improve their sustainability practices.
Solar Sister, founded in 2010 by Katherine Lucey, empowers women entrepreneurs in Africa to sell solar energy products in their communities. The organization provides training and support to women, enabling them to distribute solar lights and clean energy solutions. Solar Sister’s approach expands access to clean energy while promoting gender equality and economic development.
Founded in 2013 by Boyan Slat, Ocean Cleanup develops technologies to remove plastic pollution from oceans and rivers. The company’s systems use barriers and floating devices to collect and extract plastic debris, aiming to reduce the amount of plastic waste in marine environments. Ocean Cleanup’s work addresses the global plastic pollution crisis and seeks to restore the health of the oceans.
TerraCycle, founded in 2001 by Tom Szaky, specializes in recycling hard-to-recycle materials through various programs and partnerships. The company’s innovative approach includes collecting and repurposing waste materials that are typically not accepted by conventional recycling systems. TerraCycle’s efforts promote a circular economy and aim to eliminate the concept of waste by transforming it into valuable products.
Energy Vault, formerly known Celsius, founded in 2011 by Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara, develops liquid metal battery technology for grid energy storage. Their batteries use liquid metals to store and discharge energy, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for managing renewable energy sources. Celsius’ technology contributes to more efficient and reliable energy storage, supporting the transition to renewable energy systems.
These startups represent a diverse range of innovative approaches to addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.
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