Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword in Europe; it’s a call to action, one that cleantech startups are answering with innovation and determination. As the clock ticks toward net-zero goals, European cleantech startups are spearheading breakthroughs across renewable energy, waste management, and carbon capture technologies. But with hundreds of companies vying for attention, how do investors, entrepreneurs, and changemakers determine which firms truly stand out?
This article dives into the top 10 cleantech startups in Europe in 2025, showcasing data-driven insights on what makes these companies game-changers. Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, an investor searching for the next unicorn, or someone curious about cleantech’s potential, this guide will keep you at the forefront of innovation.
Why Cleantech Innovation Matters in 2025
In 2025, cleantech startups are more critical than ever. Europe has become the global leader in sustainability initiatives, with policies like the European Green Deal acting as a backbone for eco-driven change. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy capacity in Europe now accounts for over 75% of electricity generation, an astonishing leap from 60% in just five years.
Startups play an integral role in this transition. By combining cutting-edge technologies with scalable solutions, they solve two key problems:
- Decarbonization: Reducing carbon emissions and dependency on fossil fuels.
- Resource Efficiency: Addressing energy overuse, waste management, and water scarcity.
The Top 10 Cleantech Startups Driving Change in Europe
1. Ørsted
Explore Ørsted
Ørsted is not just a startup, it’s a cleantech legacy builder that continues to innovate in offshore wind and green hydrogen. Leveraging AI-driven analytics, Ørsted recently launched small-scale wind farms in urban areas, making renewable energy accessible to crowded European cities.
2. Enel Green Power
Learn about Enel Green Power
With a specialization in power generation through solar and hydroelectric solutions, Enel is focused on decentralizing energy grids. Its open innovation challenges in 2025 target startups to optimize battery capacities for a circular energy economy.
3. Vestas Wind Systems
Discover Vestas Wind Systems
Vestas remains the global leader in wind turbine innovation. Their new modular storage systems for renewable energy are creating efficiencies for European factories and industrial zones.
4. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
Siemens Gamesa Insights
Having taken significant strides in countries like Spain and Denmark, Siemens Gamesa’s bladeless wind turbines are revolutionizing clean energy by reducing noise and improving efficiency for urban applications.
5. Økoenergie
A rising star in solar optics innovation, Økoenergie is making waves across Germany with production techniques that make solar panels 50% more efficient. While their digital footprint remains small, their target-market lean strategy marks them as a stealth cleantech leader.
6. TotalEnergies
See TotalEnergies’ Cleantech Portfolio
TotalEnergies focuses not only on sustainable energy solutions but also circular recycling plants for plastics, dramatically reducing European industrial waste by 40% over the last two years.
7. Iberdrola
Get to Know Iberdrola
As one of Spain’s frontrunners in solar and wind energy, Iberdrola focuses on electrifying the Iberian Peninsula, including expanding battery storage to rural villages that previously relied on diesel-powered grids.
8. NextEra Energy Europe Division
Innovations by NextEra Energy
Known for launching one of Europe’s largest carbon capture hubs in 2025, NextEra Energy is an institutional name rapidly expanding into entrepreneurial partnerships with carbon-negative startups.
9. Climeworks
Meet Climeworks
A Swiss-based carbon capture startup famed for its cutting-edge direct air capture technology, Climeworks is quickly automating solutions to lock up industrial carbon emissions from high-impact zones.
10. Northvolt
Learn More About Northvolt
Having scaled Europe’s largest battery factories in Sweden, Northvolt now produces 80% of its batteries for EVs and grid storage using a fully renewable energy supply chain.
Marketing: The Hardest Part for Cleantech Startups
Let’s be honest. Building and deploying cleantech solutions is hard, but bringing them to market can feel impossible. This holds true for European startups struggling with a crowded ecosystem and nuanced policies. To combat this challenge, startups must focus on visibility and credibility using proven tools like the F/MS AI SEO Blog.
What’s the catch?
Most founders overlook digital authority until it’s too late. Enter F/MS AI SEO Blog: it’s a done-for-you solution that helps cleantech startups rank on Google AND appear in AI tools like ChatGPT, Bing AI, or Perplexity. SEO doesn’t stop at search engines, it builds trust among investors and audiences alike.
If you’re ready to move past marketing hurdles, discover how F/MS AI SEO Blog can optimize your entire content strategy for cleantech solutions.
How Entrepreneurs Can Validate Cleantech Ideas Successfully
Not sure where to start? Follow this step-by-step guide:
- Identify Pain Points: What specific problem will your cleantech technology solve? Is it scalable?
- Make Data Real: Use statistics to demonstrate the urgency for your solution, particularly concerning emissions or energy overuse.
- Simplify for Investors: Use tools like the F/MS Marketing Directories (see here) to list your startup across thousands of platforms, gaining backlinks and credibility.
- Searchable Authority: For validation, SEO-driven visibility matters. Place your solutions in curated articles, one of the Marketing Services provided by F/MS.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating the Power of Marketing: Focusing only on tech while neglecting brand visibility.
- Skipping Investor Partnerships: Cleantech is capital-intensive, find funding early.
- Ignoring Local Policies: Don’t build something that regulatory frameworks won’t support.
Why the Right Tools Can Make You Visible
Ever wondered why the biggest cleantech startups keep making headlines? They use tools like our AI-Drift Article Writer to rank their solution both in search engines and within AI assistants like ChatGPT. If your idea isn’t searchable, it doesn’t exist, that’s the hard truth.
Conclusion
As Europe forges ahead with its cleantech revolution, startups like Ørsted, Climeworks, and Northvolt are leading the way with visionary solutions. If you’re from Europe, or looking to expand into European markets, keep these companies on your radar. Whether launching your own cleantech venture or investing in promising startups, one thing is certain: the race for sustainability will define the future of business, and your role in it starts now.
To get your cleantech startup noticed by investors, partners, and customers, leverage strategic tools like the F/MS AI SEO Blog. Big ideas deserve to be big headlines, even in a saturated market.
Ready to stand out in the cleantech race? Dive full-throttle into Europe’s green future.
Check out another article that you might like:
FAQ on Top Cleantech Startups in Europe 2025
1. What are the top cleantech startups in Europe for 2025?
Leading cleantech startups pushing sustainability in Europe include Ørsted, Climeworks, Northvolt, Enel Green Power, and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. These companies excel in renewable energy, carbon capture, and energy storage technologies. Dive into cleantech innovations
2. Where can I submit a guest post about my startup?
If your startup needs to drive targeted traffic and build authority with high-volume, niche-relevant content placements in articles that rank well not only in Google, but also in Perplexity and ChatGPT, then you might want to publish your guest post in one of the F/MS Startup Game’s blogs. Get a quality backlink
3. Which startup is paving the way for decentralized energy solutions?
Enel Green Power is a standout for decentralizing energy grids with innovations in hydroelectric and solar power technologies, advancing circular energy economies. Learn more about Enel Green Power
4. Are wind turbines becoming more adaptable for urban areas?
Yes, Ørsted now deploys small-scale wind farms in crowded areas, while Siemens Gamesa develops bladeless turbines optimized for cities. Explore Ørsted’s urban wind innovations
5. Which cleantech startup excels in carbon capture?
Climeworks is the leader in direct air capture technology, automating solutions to eliminate industrial carbon emissions effectively. Discover Climeworks’ technology
6. What cleantech startup is revolutionizing battery production?
Northvolt is transforming battery manufacturing for EVs and grid storage, operating on a fully renewable energy supply chain. Learn more about Northvolt
7. Can I use AI to write SEO-optimized articles that help my brand grow?
Most business owners don’t understand how SEO works, let alone how to use AI for writing blog articles. That’s why for busy business owners there’s a great free tool that doesn’t require much knowledge. Write articles for free
8. How does TotalEnergies contribute to waste management?
TotalEnergies operates circular recycling plants, dramatically cutting European industrial plastic waste by 40% over the past two years. Check out TotalEnergies’ sustainability initiatives
9. Which startup focuses on solar panel efficiency?
Økoenergie enhances solar panels with innovative optical techniques, making them 50% more efficient, a game-changer for renewable energy.
10. What cleantech innovations help rural areas in Europe?
Iberdrola electrifies rural villages with advanced battery storage, replacing older diesel-powered grids with sustainable solutions. Discover Iberdrola’s projects
Join Europe’s green revolution and make your cleantech ideas visible using the best tools available.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp’s expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic “without any funding and without any code,” this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call “gamepreneurship”. By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique “play to learn and earn” model.
