Top energy tech start-ups to have on your radar in 2025
The Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Global Innovation Platform has announced the top 100 start-ups of 2025 within energy and climate tech, highlighting their innovations across sectors, from clean energy and storage to mobility and more.
SET, launched by the German Energy Agency (dena) in 2016 to foster connections between corporate players, the public sector and energy innovators, has released its SET100 list, a compilation of the top 100 SET Award applications.
Highlighted start-ups range across categories, including clean energy & storage, mobility & transportation, industry, buildings & construction, and quality energy access & SDG-7.
Commenting in a release was Corinna Enders, chairperson of the management board, German Energy Agency: “The SET100 list is the central showcase for the world’s most innovative and promising start-ups in the energy transition.
“The selected start-up present practice-proven, forward-looking solutions that actively contribute to achieving our climate goals. As a signpost for technological innovations and scalable business models, they accelerate the transition to sustainable, resilient energy systems – for the benefit of people and the planet. The SET100 list embodies the pioneering spirit we need to master the global challenges of the energy transition.”
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Clean energy & storage
Clean Energy & Storage is the largest sector within the SET100 landscape, accounting for 40% of the start-ups.
The Clean Energy & Storage landscape, says SET, has been evolving with a strong focus on energy storage solutions, AI-driven energy management platforms, and advancements in hydrogen production.
In this category, SET looked for start-ups developing solutions to decarbonise our most energy-intensive sectors, as well as those accelerating the adoption of new solutions through capacity building.
Of 40 applicants in the category, here are the top three:
- Power to Hydrogen (P2H2)
An early stage start-up based in the US, P2H2 simplifies hydrogen with hybrid liquid alkaline/AEM electrolysis, cutting stack costs by approximately 65% and eliminating expensive metals like iridium and platinum.
Producing hydrogen at 250 bar, P2H2 reduces compression and transport costs while integrating with renewable energy. Partnering with NASA, Enel, and Shell, P2H2’s technology addresses production and storage challenges, aiming to cut 2-3% of global CO2 emissions.
- Botree Recycling Technologies
Based in China, the early stage start-up Botree advances lithium battery recycling with scalable solutions for pre-treatment, hydrometallurgical recycling, and material regeneration. It also innovates in hydrogen fuel cell and solid-state battery recycling, shortens laterite nickel ore separation, and complies with global standards through a life cycle assessment system, supporting sustainable EV battery management.
- Cowa Thermal Solutions AG
Cowa, a Swiss early stage start-up develops compact thermal storage systems using patented Phase Change Materials (PCMs) that are five times smaller than water-based alternatives.
Targeting the growing European heat pump market, Cowa’s scalable technology enhances urban heat pump integration and renewable energy use.
Industry
Industry accounts for a staggering one-third of global greenhouse emissions and is one of the most challenging sectors for decarbonisation. Nevertheless, innovation here represents one of the biggest, most important, and most profitable ways for companies to decarbonise.
The top 3 finalists under Industry include:
- Cyclize GmbH, Germany, seed stage
Cyclize turns plastic waste and CO2 into drop-in syngas, a mix of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, using a patented plasma reactor to replace natural gas.
By recycling carbon from mixed plastic waste unsuitable for other methods, Cyclize reduces plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative technology supports a circular economy, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable, and resource-efficient chemical industry.
- Variolytics GmbH, Germany, early stage
Founded in Stuttgart in 2020 as a Fraunhofer Institute spin-off, Variolytics is a high-tech start-up in the wastewater industry.
With a team of 13, the company is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing hardware and software solutions that make the invisible measurable, enabling data-driven optimisation in treatment plants.
- ROSI, France, mid stage
ROSI transforms photovoltaic (PV) waste into high-value circular materials, including high-purity silicon, silver, copper, glass, and aluminium.
Using advanced recycling technology, ROSI reduces reliance on virgin resources, supports decarbonisation in the solar industry, and reintegrates recycled materials into production. Through European partnerships, ROSI aims to set new standards for sustainability, PV waste management, and material recovery.
Buildings & construction
The built environments consume immense energy, whether through their construction, the materials used, or the significant chunk that is wasted in keeping them warm or cold. This category rewards those creating the comfortable, cost-effective, energy efficient buildings of the future.
The top three include:
- Concular GmbH, Germany, mid stage
Concular enables the reuse and recycling of building materials at scale. Through its innovative software, Concular performs pre-demolition audits to identify reusable materials, increasing reuse rates from 1% to up to 80%.
With over 450 buildings assessed and the creation of DIN SPEC 91484, a key industry standard in Germany, Concular aims to lead the shift toward a circular economy in construction, transforming waste into valuable resources while driving sustainability and cost savings.
- PIONIERKRAFT GmbH, Germany, early stage
PIONIERKRAFT is empowering small and medium-sized apartment buildings to adopt solar energy solutions through its patented technology.
Since its 2019 launch, the company has sold over 1,000 units, enabling 200 solar projects that were previously unfeasible.
Focused on cost reduction, the upcoming third-generation product will halve production and customer costs. By leveraging a B2B sales strategy through solar installers and housing providers, the company hopes to help decarbonise Germany’s housing sector, which accounts for 40% of its total housing stock.
- Urbio SA, Switzerland, seed stage
Urbio accelerates the decarbonisation of global buildings through its patent-pending generative design software.
The platform automates clean energy system designs for individual buildings and entire cities, reducing design times tenfold.
By streamlining scattered data sources into cohesive workflows, Urbio enables energy providers and consultants to create efficient and customised solutions.
Mobility & transportation
Transportation and mobility, says dena, continues to be one of the most essential but energy-intensive sectors they monitor. The category rewards creative solutions and lateral thinking in a sector that can span the large and the physical to the virtual and the digital.
The top three startups include:
- Nyobolt Ltd., UK, early stage
Nyobolt is transforming mobility with its ultra-fast charging battery technology. By developing advanced materials, it enables compact designs, exceptional cycle life, and reduced environmental impact.
Ideal for EVs, hybrids, and fuel cells, Nyobolt’s batteries downsize reliance on critical materials for sustainable performance.
- Basquevolt S.A., Spain, early stage
Basquevolt develops polymer-based solid-state batteries to enable mass-market electrification.
Safer and easier to produce than liquid electrolytes, their technology addresses energy density and cost challenges. With lightweight, affordable designs, Basquevolt aims to advance sustainable solutions for applications struggling to electrify.
- Kazam EV Tech Pvt. Ltd., India, early stage
Kazam unifies energy across vehicles, grids, and charge points with smart hardware and software.
The company’s EV chargers enable real-time monitoring, grid optimisation, and renewable integration, while fleet management software improves efficiency, cutting CO2 emissions. With 15,000+ chargers and partnerships like Mahindra, Kazam aims to advance India’s electric mobility transition.
Quality energy access & SDG-7
In this category, dena rewarded start-ups working with and empowering the communities that are most impacted by climate change.
The top three include:
- Koolboks, France, mid stage
Koolboks, based in Paris and focused on Africa, revolutionises refrigeration with solar-powered, off-grid refrigerators featuring ice battery technology for 24/7 cooling.
Affordable and accessible through a Pay-As-You-Go lease-to-own model, Koolboks also integrates USB charging to support SMEs by addressing cooling, lighting, and charging needs, fostering sustainable energy access.
- RumiTech Energy, Türkiye, seed stage
RumiTech converts wind and solar into sustainable energy with its hybrid 5kW system, storing power in 2.4kW batteries for off-grid IoT-enabled solutions.
Easily installable on poles in two hours without excavation, each unit reduces 10 tonnes of CO2 annually. Founded in 2023, RumiTech has raised $662,500, won awards, and delivers green energy IoT platforms for sustainable future.
- Instollar Technologies, Nigeria, early stage
Instollar bridges Africa’s energy gap and employment challenges with platform matching green talent to energy projects.
By training local workers and facilitating over 1,500 solar projects, Instollar empowers communities with clean power, creating 500+ jobs and onboarding 900 installers.
Originally published on Enlit.World.
February 5, 2025 at 07:57AM
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Yusuf Latief