The effects of climate change continue to break grim records this year. The mercury is climbing. Species are dying. Atmospheric carbon is concentrating. But entrepreneurs keep inventing new technologies to counter these trends.

Trellis’s annual 25 Climate Tech Startups to Watch features startup innovations for everything from plant-waste plastics to less toxic batteries to carbon dioxide removal.

New climate technologies are critically needed — and proving resilient to a recent funding slowdown. Climate startups raised $3.4 billion, or 4.8 percent of all VC fundraising, in the first half of 2024. That’s up from 2 percent in 2023, according to Pitchbook’s 2024 Climate Tech Funds Report.

Federal policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act, plus new U.S. and European Union regulations, offer a fresh push for businesses to adopt low-carbon solutions. Large corporations seek innovations from new ventures.

Why these 25 startups stand out

Every startup on the Climate Tech 25 has seed or series-A funding and demonstrates an edge in each of five criteria: its solution, business model, customer need, customer traction, team and pitch presentation. All are incorporated, have already developed a product and employ at least one person full-time.

Our team of climate experts narrowed 108 submissions down to five of the most promising companies in each of the five categories.

Cast your vote

Scroll down below to watch founder pitch videos for all 25 startups in each of five categories — land use and drawdown; energy; transport; buildings; and industry.

Cast your vote for the company you believe has the most potential. A maximum of 2 company votes per day. Sept. 27 is the last day to vote.

The winner of the online vote will be announced at Trellis’s VERGE event from Oct. 29-31 in San Jose, Calif.

At VERGE, an in-person competition will whittle down to five finalists who will each have 2.5 minutes to pitch from the main stage in front of business leaders and investors. The audience will select the a startup of the year that will be featured in an article on Trellis.net in November.

Drawdown and Land Use

Upstream Tech
Upstream Tech
504

With AI, translates remote data to manage land and water resources. Video features Lindsay DuBois, Enterprise Account Executive

Arbon
Arbon
1851

Its novel, low-energy technique uses water to capture CO2 from the air.
Video features Annie Lee, Director of Business Development

Oxylus Energy
Oxylus Energy
107

Converts CO2 into green chemicals including e-methanol.
Video features Harrison Meyer, Chief Operating Officer

Mitico
Mitico
357

Its modular tech captures CO2 emissions at industrial sites.
Video features Clement Cid, CEO and Co-Founder

Aquarry
Aquarry
181

Repurposes closed mining pit lakes for CO2 removal.
Video features Kate Murphy, CEO

Energy

AlumaPower
AlumaPower
1166

Its discs of scrap aluminum generate off-grid energy and heat.
Video features Rob Alexander, CEO

Reverse Energy Solution
Reverse Energy Solution
111

Dismantles solar panels onsite; recovers and recycles materials.
Video features Charles Hu, CMO

Ateios Systems
Ateios Systems
171

Manufactures high energy-density batteries without toxic solvents.
Video features Rajan Kumar, CEO

Syncris
Syncris
690

Creates stackable inverters and battery systems for microgrids.
Video features Jina Penn-Tracy, Co-Founder and Board Chair

Rhizome
Rhizome
46

Its machine learning helps utilities prevent power grid failures.
Video features Mishal Thadani, Co-Founder and CEO

Transport

Smartville
Smartville
34

Technology controls the management system of EV batteries, enabling reuse.
Video features Antoni Tong, CEO

Relocalize
Relocalize
1056

Offers direct-to-retail food and beverage microfactories. Video features Wayne McIntyre, Founder & CEO

Project K Energy
Project K Energy
15

Its potassium-ion batteries enable ultra-fast EV charging.
Video features Kevin Hurlbutt, CEO

Matcha
Matcha
32

Serves electric vehicle chargers to apartment dwellers.
Video features Chris Kluesener, CEO

OpenGrid
OpenGrid
44

Provides fast EV charging systems for property managers.
Video features Nanbo Liu, Co-founder & CEO

Buildings

AeroShield
AeroShield
161

Its drop-in, clear insulation makes windows energy efficient.
Video features Aaron Baskerville-Bridges, Co-founder and VP Operations

Conry Tech
Conry Tech
27

Makes efficient, decentralized micro-cooling systems for buildings.
Video features Sam Ringwaldt, CEO

Cambio
Cambio
4

Its software automates building carbon tracking, recommends retrofits.
Video features Stephanie Grayson, Co-Founder & Co-CEO

Cadence OneFive
Cadence OneFive
20

Uses machine learning to help multifamily buildings decarbonize.
Video features Bomee Jung, Co-Founder & CEO

C. Scale
C. Scale
20

Provides whole-life carbon analysis for new and old buildings.
Video features Brad Jacobson, Co-Founder & Jack Rusk, Co-Founder

Industry

Kanin Energy
Kanin Energy
78

Turns heavy industry waste heat to power.
Video features Janice Tran, CEO

H Quest Vanguard
H Quest Vanguard
541

Generates CO2-free hydrogen from natural gas onsite.
Video features George Skoptsov, Founder and CEO

Aequor
Aequor
14

Offers energy-efficient, nontoxic water treatment.
Video features Marilyn Bruno, CEO

ElectraLith
ElectraLith
524

Mines and refines battery-grade lithium without requiring water.
Video features Charles McGill, CEO

Applied Bioplastics
Applied Bioplastics
268

Taps agricultural waste to make durable plastics. Video features Alex Blum, CEO