Now in its fifth year, the Climate Programme has become a key driver in scaling high-impact climate tech startups. Since its inception in 2020, the initiative has supported over 140 startups, six of which have exited, collectively raising more than £1.5B. Companies that have participated in the programme have grown 2.5 times faster than the industry average.

Scaling climate innovation

The four-month accelerator focuses on helping climate startups secure investment, expand their customer base, and navigate climate policy. With backing from HSBC Innovation Banking and EDF Energy, this year’s programme spotlights companies working on breakthrough solutions in nature restoration, material innovation, energy, and bioengineering.

Over a third (36%) of the 2025 cohort are woman-founded, and almost half (46%) are based outside London. The inclusion of startups from Berlin, Paris, and Lagos signals Tech Nation’s ambition to scale solutions on a global stage.

“The Climate Programme plays a vital role in propelling some of the world’s most transformative climate startups to the next level of impact,” said Carolyn Dawson OBE, CEO of Founders Forum Group. “Our first-ever global representation underscores that climate challenges require borderless solutions. These 25 startups are not just developing ground-breaking technologies – they’re shaping a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Pioneering startups tackling Global climate challenges

The selected startups are working on a diverse range of climate solutions, with key themes emerging across the cohort:

  • Nature Tech: Ponterra develops high-quality carbon projects in collaboration with farmers, while Materra uses regenerative cotton to make the fashion industry more sustainable.
  • Material Innovation: Magical Mushroom Company creates fully biodegradable packaging, and Rare Earth Global connects businesses with sustainable industrial hemp products.
  • Future of Energy: Renewabl simplifies green energy procurement, while HalioGen develops long-term energy storage solutions.
  • Bioengineering: Twig Bio produces eco-friendly alternatives to harmful chemicals, and Sun Bear Biofuture is developing sustainable fats and oils to replace palm oil and cocoa butter.

A growing network of climate leaders

Tech Nation’s Climate Programme has built a formidable network of alumni, including sustainability leaders like Circulor, Olio, and Xampla. This year’s steering committee includes influential figures such as Shazam co-founder Dhiraj Mukherjee, fintech entrepreneur-turned-climate-founder Marta Krupinska, and OpenWeb co-founder Roee Goldberg.

Sammy Fry, Tech Nation’s Head of Climate, highlighted the programme’s role in sustaining momentum for climate innovation. “While political attitudes towards climate tech may fluctuate, the urgency of addressing climate change and decarbonisation remains constant. By providing advisory support and direct access to investors, multinational customers, and policymakers, we’re ensuring these startups reach global markets and drive systemic change.”

Tessa Clarke, CEO of Olio and a previous programme participant, praised the initiative. “This cohort is a powerful reminder that while the world faces turbulence, founders are focused on solving the planet’s most pressing challenges. Every business needs support to accelerate its growth, and the Climate Programme does just that.”

Meet the climate cohort 2025

With Tech Nation’s continued support, these startups are poised to make a significant impact on global climate challenges. As climate tech becomes an increasingly critical sector, initiatives like the Climate Programme ensure that the world’s most promising solutions can scale and drive meaningful change.