Looking For Renewable Energy Solutions? Meet The Startups Raising Now

As the world starts to see the direct consequences of climate change on the planet, businesses and governments are actively trying to make the shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.

There used to be a time when the term “sustainable energy” was more of an aspirational label. Companies would sprinkle it into their messaging to appear as if they were forward-thinking. But truthfully, their sustainability efforts barely scratched the surface. That era is long over now.

Organisations have realised the need for truly sustainable efforts. And new technologies in solar, hydro and wind are being developed. But although things seem to be moving in the right direction, the investment required for these projects is enormous.

This is why a lot of new startups entering this space to tackle the challenge of climate change are looking to crowdfunding. It’s a way to connect with investors who see their vision and to back it for a cleaner future.

 

How Is Crowdfunding Fuelling The Green Revolution?

 

As promising as renewable energy is, it often presents long timelines to create ambitious technologies and steep upfront costs. Since the return on investment will take years to see in these kinds of projects, it can be a bit tricky to convince early-stage investors to commit.

Crowdfunding takes a bit of a different approach where anyone, especially those interested in the cause, can directly invest. They become a lot more than just investors, but advocates for the initiative since its personal to them. Having this kind of backing and grassroots support in an industry like renewable energy which relies on scaling can make all the difference.

 

Meet The Renewable Energy Startups Now Raising

 

There are several renewable energy startups who are actively raising, each one bringing their own bold and innovative ideas to drive sustainability in different areas.

From solar panels and packaging solutions to better understanding your home energy’s data, here is a closer look at the companies in the middle of their crowdfunding rounds.

 

1. Polysolar

 

 

Polysolar is a UK-based company that is pioneering building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), developing smart solar glass which turns your everyday structures into clean-energy generators.

Compared to traditional panels, their flexible thin-film glass is lightweight and works in low-light conditions. This allows natural light to filter through with different levels of transparency so its ideal for both urban and commercial areas where your conventional solar isn’t always viable.

The company is already making a huge impact in the industry with their solar canopy at Leicester City Council’s multi-storey car park winning Energy Project Of the Year at the 2023 Energy Awards. And at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, you may have seen their agrivoltaic polytunnels on display.

 

 

 

2. Seafields

 

 

Seafields is an aquaculture company taking an extremely unique approach to carbon removal by using the natural carbon-capturing abilities of seaweed, particularly through the cultivation of Sargassum, a fast-growing seaweed species.

Their SeaClear and SeaGrow farms are strategically located to produce a year-round supply of seaweed which are then harvested into dense bales. These are deposited into deep-sea sites, locking away the carbon for hundreds of years.

Seafields has already performed a number of successful trials demonstrating the viability of this technique including the world’s first seaweed biomass sinking test.

 

3. Frugalpac

 

 

Frugalpac is the company behind the Frugal Bottle, the world’s first commercially available paper bottle for wine and spirits. It’s five times lighter than traditional glass bottles with a carbon footprint 84% lower than glass. More than three million bottles have been produced since its launch in 27 countries and you can find it in popular retailers like Sainsbury’s and Target.

The bottle itself is made of 94% recycled paperboard with a food-grade plastic liner, making it a remarkable advancement when it comes to sustainable packaging.

 

4. Heatio

 

 

Heatio is a clean-tech startup that was founded in Liverpool in 2022. Their platform is designed to help homeowners optimise their energy usage and encourage the switch to renewable energy sources. The platform uses AI and machine learning to generate energy insights in real time to help users make decisions regarding their energy consumption.

The company’s approach to sustainability has garnered plenty of recognition and was named the Equity-Backed Startup of the Year at the UK finals of the StartUp Awards in 2024.

With Heatio’s goal of making clean energy both accessible and affordable for homeowners, they are significantly contributing to the UK’s net-zero goals.

 

5. Zero2Cool

 

 

Zero2Cool specialises in cooling systems, taking waste heat and turning it into free, zero-emission refrigeration and air conditioning. For businesses, it’s a huge step in the right direction to be able to keep things cool without relying on traditional systems that are energy-intensive, which cuts both costs and carbon emissions.

The company’s solutions are designed to be efficient and useful particularly in places where electricity is limited or costly. By using heat that would otherwise be wasted, Zero2Cool is assisting businesses with saving energy while driving a greener future.