In 2021, the world witnessed an unprecedented surge in climate tech investments, with startups raising nearly $40 billion to combat the effects of climate change. Despite the broader tech downturn, investors remain enthusiastic about funding ventures with a clear and impactful vision for sustainability. This article explores the evolution of climate tech startups, focusing on 15 innovative companies that have secured funding from pre-seed to Series C between 2020 and 2022. By examining their pitch decks, we can uncover valuable insights for aspiring founders looking to make their mark in this rapidly changing industry.
A Shift in Investment Trends
Historically, climate-related investments predominantly flowed into mobility and energy sectors. However, the landscape is evolving, with startups in diverse fields like carbon accounting, food tech, sustainable fashion, and logistics now gaining traction. This diversification indicates a growing recognition that addressing climate change requires multifaceted solutions across various industries.
The Importance of a Compelling Pitch
For climate tech startups, crafting a compelling narrative is crucial to attract investors. The pitch deck serves as a vital tool for conveying the company’s vision, business model, and the impact they aim to achieve. The following sections delve into 15 pitch decks that exemplify effective storytelling and strategic planning, highlighting how these startups secured funding and positioned themselves for success.
1. Infinited Fiber Company
Year: 2021
Stage: Series B
Amount Raised: $35.6M
Investors: H&M Co, Adidas, Valve Ventures, Nidoco
Founded in Finland by Petri Alava and Ali Harlin, Infinited Fiber Company is at the forefront of the circular fashion movement. Their innovative product, Infinna™, is a regenerated textile fiber made from agricultural waste and textile production by-products. The company’s pitch deck emphasizes their vision for a sustainable fashion industry, showcasing their partnerships with leading retail brands that recognize the value of circularity. By aligning their mission with the growing demand for eco-friendly materials, Infinited Fiber Company has successfully positioned itself as a leader in sustainable textiles.
2. Ubiquitous Energy
Year: 2021
Stage: Series B
Amount Raised: $30M
Investors: Andersen Corporation, ENEOS, Safar Partners, Hostplus, Red Cedar Ventures, Riverhorse Investments
Founded in 2011, Ubiquitous Energy is pioneering transparent solar technology, which allows windows to generate electricity while remaining clear. Their patented technology, UE Power™, enables buildings to harness solar energy without compromising aesthetics. The pitch deck highlights the potential applications of their technology in various sectors, appealing to investors eager to support innovative solutions that merge functionality with sustainability.
3. Space Forge
Year: 2021
Stage: Seed
Amount Raised: $10.2M
Investors: SpaceFund, Type One, World Fund, SpaceVC, Starbridge Venture Capital, Quiet Capital, Kencoa Aerospace
Space Forge closed 2021 with Europe’s largest seed round, aiming to revolutionize manufacturing in space. Their goal is to develop fully returnable satellites capable of producing super materials in a zero-gravity environment. The pitch deck effectively communicates the ambitious vision of creating a new frontier in manufacturing while addressing the environmental impact of traditional production methods on Earth.
4. Sylvera
Year: 2022
Stage: Series A
Amount Raised: $32M
Investors: Index Ventures, Insight Partners, Salesforce Ventures, LocalGlobe
Sylvera leverages machine learning to enhance the accountability of carbon offsets through visual data analysis, including satellite imagery. Their concise pitch deck presents the problem of unreliable carbon offsetting and offers a solution that integrates advanced technology to provide transparency and credibility. The focus on data-driven approaches to climate action resonates with investors looking for innovative tools to address environmental challenges.
5. Sourceful
Year: 2022
Stage: Series A
Amount Raised: $20M
Investors: Index Ventures, Eka Ventures
Sourceful addresses sustainability in packaging by providing a sourcing platform that helps companies find eco-friendly options. The pitch deck incorporates industry terminology, such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), to illustrate the environmental impact of their services. By emphasizing the market demand for sustainable packaging solutions, Sourceful effectively positions itself as a vital player in the transition to greener supply chains.
6. Framework
Year: 2022
Stage: Series A
Amount Raised: $18M
Investors: Spark Capital, Pathbreaker Ventures, Anorak Ventures, Formic Ventures
Framework transforms e-waste into consumer electronics that are both affordable and environmentally friendly. The pitch deck highlights the success of their flagship product, the Framework Laptop, which embodies the company’s mission to create sustainable electronics. By addressing the pressing issue of electronic waste, Framework appeals to investors eager to support innovative solutions that align with growing consumer demand for sustainability.
7. Pledge
Year: 2021
Stage: Seed
Amount Raised: $4.5M
Investors: Visionaries Club, Lowercarbon Capital, Breyer Capital
Pledge simplifies sustainability for businesses by providing tools to measure, reduce, offset, and report greenhouse gas emissions. The pitch deck effectively communicates the ease of integrating sustainability into existing business models, appealing to companies eager to enhance their environmental responsibility. By focusing on the growing consumer demand for eco-conscious practices, Pledge successfully secures funding for its mission.
8. Juicy Marbles
Year: 2021
Stage: Series A / Seed
Amount Raised: $4.5M
Investors: World Fund, Agfunder
Juicy Marbles is revolutionizing the food industry with its plant-based filet mignon, making waves in the market for alternative proteins. As the first investment for World Fund, this startup’s pitch deck effectively captures the appeal of their product in a crowded market, showcasing its potential to drive behavioral change towards sustainable eating. By highlighting the taste and quality of their offerings, Juicy Marbles attracts investors keen on disrupting traditional meat markets.
9. Canvaloop
Year: 2021
Stage: Pre-seed
Amount Raised: $200K
Investors: Theia Ventures, Social Alpha
Founded by a fourth-generation textile entrepreneur, Canvaloop is pioneering technology to convert agricultural waste into textile fibers. The pitch deck strategically addresses key investor questions about product viability, operations, and growth potential. By demonstrating the scalability of their innovative solution, Canvaloop effectively positions itself as a promising startup within the sustainable fashion landscape.
10. Klima
Year: 2022
Stage: Series A
Amount Raised: €10M
Investors: Keen Venture Partners, HV Capital, Headline, 468 Capital, Adjacent
Klima is a Berlin-based app that empowers users to take immediate, quantifiable climate action. The pitch deck highlights their success in early consumer adoption and outlines plans for expanding their offering, “Klima for Teams,” beyond Germany. By demonstrating a clear path to scaling their impact, Klima captures the attention of investors interested in consumer-focused climate solutions.
11. Vly
Year: 2021
Stage: Series A
Amount Raised: €6.1M
Investors: Five Seasons Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Good Seed Ventures
Vly developed a yellow split pea-based milk alternative after 400 iterations of product development. Their pitch deck incorporates engaging visuals and process diagrams to illustrate the product’s unique qualities and market potential. By focusing on the health and environmental benefits of their offering, Vly successfully secures funding to expand its reach in Europe and the UK.
12. Climatiq
Year: 2021
Stage: Seed
Amount Raised: €6M
Investors: Cherry Ventures, Jens Lapinski, Paul Forster
Climatiq is a certified B-Corp that enables companies to measure carbon emissions with simple code integrations. The pitch deck succinctly presents the business’s value proposition, illustrating how their data infrastructure can support various use cases, including ESG reporting. By showcasing the versatility of their service, Climatiq appeals to investors looking for scalable climate tech solutions.
13. Toucan Protocol
Year: 2022
Stage: Seed
Amount Raised: Undisclosed
Investors: Draft Ventures, Quiet Capital, Shine Capital, Earthshot Ventures
Toucan Protocol aims to create an open climate finance ecosystem within Web3. Their pitch deck effectively combines storytelling with data to communicate the potential of regenerative finance. By appealing to investors interested in innovative and imaginative solutions, Toucan Protocol positions itself as a frontrunner in the intersection of technology and sustainability.
14. HelioRec
Year: 2022
Stage: Seed
Amount Raised: Undisclosed
Investors: Undisclosed
HelioRec focuses on scaling its pilot projects for renewable energy storage. Their pitch deck emphasizes the competitive landscape, pricing model, and business roadmap, demonstrating their preparedness to attract strategic investors. By showcasing their unique approach to energy storage, HelioRec aligns itself with investors eager to support sustainable energy solutions.
15. Sheru
Year: 2021
Stage: Seed
Amount Raised: $687K
Investors: AdvantEdge, Micelio
In India, Sheru addresses energy storage challenges caused by underutilized EV battery capacity. Their cloud-enabled platform facilitates the efficient use of EV batteries for energy management. The pitch deck communicates the urgency of tackling battery waste, resonating with investors looking to back solutions that enhance sustainability while addressing the growing demand for electric vehicles.
Conclusion
The rise of climate tech startups signifies a shift towards sustainable innovation, with a diverse array of companies addressing various aspects of the climate crisis. By examining the pitch decks of these successful startups, aspiring founders can glean valuable insights into effective storytelling, clear value propositions, and market positioning strategies that resonate with investors. As the demand for sustainable solutions continues to grow, the potential for climate tech startups to create impactful change in our world has never been greater.