Green founders, big ideas - how start-ups are giving the planet a boost

From containerised electricity storage to cement made from industrial waste - start-ups around the world are developing solutions for a sustainable future. With automated indoor farms, edible algae packaging and smart recycling technology, they are demonstrating how innovation and environmental protection go hand in hand. Their aim is to conserve resources, reduce emissions and revolutionise our habits.

Sustainability and innovation are two sides of the same coin - and both require more than just good intentions. It is true that political measures and scientific research play a central role in the fight against the climate and resource crisis. However, visionary entrepreneurs who break new ground with courage, creativity and entrepreneurial determination are just as crucial. They develop solutions that combine ecological responsibility with economic viability - and thus show how sustainable change can succeed in concrete terms. The following six start-ups from around the world exemplify this approach: they rely on clever technologies, utilise existing resources in new ways or replace environmentally harmful processes with smart alternatives. Their common denominator? The will not to wait for change - but to drive it forward themselves.

Exowatt (USA): Solar energy around the clock

If data centres are to operate in a climate-friendly way, a few solar panels on the roof are no longer enough. The energy requirements of such server farms - especially in the age of AI - are enormous. And the demand is growing: reliable, around the clock, independent of the power grid. This is exactly where Exowatt from Miami comes in. The young US start-up has developed a modular energy system that stores solar energy in the form of heat - and converts it back into electricity when needed. The so-called P3 solution consists of standardised containers, about the size of a shipping container. In them, lenses focus the sunlight, which then passes into a long-lasting storage material. The heat generated in this way can be stored for up to 24 hours and later converted into electricity using a generator - even at night or in bad weather. In contrast to conventional solar or battery systems, the solution is based on thermal storage. This not only makes them more durable and low-maintenance, but also less dependent on scarce raw materials such as lithium or rare earths. Exowatt also relies on components "made in the USA" in order to reduce both supply chain risks and emissions in production.

Cemvision (Sweden): Cement with 95 per cent fewer emissions

Cement is one of the biggest CO₂ polluters in the world. The Swedish start-up Cemvision shows how things can be done differently: it produces high-performance cement from recycled residual materials such as industrial waste from mining or steel production - completely without limestone and with fossil-free energy. This reduces emissions by up to 95 per cent compared to conventional cement. The product called Re-ment is not only more resource-efficient, it even binds CO₂ from the atmosphere. In the current demo production, 80 per cent is already being saved. The full potential should be reached by 2030. Cemvision was founded in 2020 and is considered one of the most promising providers in the field of sustainable construction.

Stacked Farm (Australia): Vertical farming in full automation

The Australian start-up Stacked Farm takes fresh food to a new level - all year round, sustainably and with minimal water and energy consumption. Their indoor farms are fully automated: From sowing to packaging, robots and a self-developed control system take over every task. This means fewer mistakes and no risk of contamination. The farms work with a water cycle that hardly loses any water and are located as close as possible to cities, which saves on long transport routes and CO₂ emissions. Up to 22,000 tonnes of CO₂ can be saved per farm per year. The result? Fresh, pesticide-free food with a shelf life of up to 18 days - significantly longer than conventional products. Thanks to the modular design, the systems can be expanded quickly. Stacked Farm therefore wants to be represented with its indoor farms in all major Australian cities soon. The company was founded in 2016 from a private hydroponics idea. Today, a team of over 60 experts is working to change urban agriculture in a sustainable way. No wonder Stacked Farm 2025 has been hailed as one of the world's leading green tech companies by Time and Statista.

Notpla (UK): algae as packaging

Notpla is a British start-up that is really doing something for the environment with cool packaging made from algae and plants. Founded in 2014 by Rodrigo García González and Pierre-Yves Paslier, who both studied at renowned universities, the company started with the edible water packaging "Ooho". These are made from brown algae, are completely compostable and can simply be eaten or buried in the garden. Notpla has now developed a whole range of sustainable packaging that leaves no trace at the end of its life cycle. The materials are based on natural polysaccharides and do not require any chemicals. The packaging works in a similar way to a fruit skin: it protects the contents in a natural and environmentally friendly way. The algae-coated packaging for the take-away market is particularly exciting. Over a million of these green packs have already been produced for delivery services such as Just Eat Takeaway and used in various European countries. Notpla has even won the Earthshot Prize - an environmental award set up by Prince William - for its innovative ideas. Over ten million pounds have been raised so far through crowdfunding and investors to enable production and the product range to grow. In addition to the edible packaging, there is now also transparent film and so-called seaweed paper. The highlight: the algae from which everything is made grows super-fast and requires neither fresh water nor fertiliser.

Recycap Technologies (Spain): Revolution in coffee capsule recycling

Coffee capsules are practical, no doubt about it - but ecologically a real problem. This is exactly what Recycap Technologies wants to change. The young start-up from Valencia has dedicated itself entirely to recycling and is bringing a breath of fresh air to the booming capsule market. The solution: smart devices that automatically remove the coffee grounds from used capsules. What remains is a clean aluminium or plastic shell that can be recycled as normal. The patented REACT technology is not only used in large machines for offices and catering, but soon also in smaller models for home use. The approach is clear: recycling must be easy - for everyone. Recycap was founded in 2022 and the company has been growing rapidly ever since. Supported by investors, the team is working to get its appliances into as many households and cafés as possible. And this is just the beginning: integration directly into coffee machines is also already being planned.