Top climate tech companies that are led by women

Recent research by the PEW Research Centre revealed that women are more inclined to view climate change as a serious threat compared to men. The study highlighted that women generally believe that making lifestyle changes is crucial to combat climate issues and are more prone to making eco-friendly consumer choices.

Despite women having the potential to play a crucial role in environmental protection, there is a notable scarcity of women founders in the clean-tech sector. According to the National Cleantech Survey, merely 10% of cleantech founders are women, and only 19% of companies have at least one female founder on their team.

Several factors contribute to the limited representation of women founders in the clean tech space. One primary factor is the insufficient encouragement and support for women to pursue STEM subjects, which are essential for acquiring the skills necessary to lead such companies.

Another significant aspect is the technical know-how required. Fields like engineering remain predominantly male-dominated, limiting women’s access to the technical experience needed to succeed and establish companies in the clean-tech sector due to a lack of sufficient work experience.

9 Women-Led Climate Tech Companies

There is a huge number of eco-friendly companies in various industries with male leaders, such as Lottoland, a UK based gaming company. However, women-led ecofriendly businesses are starting to gain momentum. They range from providing alternative and innovative energy sources to pushing conservation efforts.

1. Vertical Future

Marie-Alexandrine Burrows co-founded Vertical Future in 2016 and is currently the Chief Impact Officer. Holding a master’s degree in Neuropsychology, Burrows is deeply passionate about people and psychology.

Vertical Future is the global leader in vertical farming technology and research and development. The company is involved in designing, constructing, and licensing hardware and software technologies to cultivate crops optimally, efficiently, and sustainably.

Traditional farming methods have negatively impacted the environment, leading to issues like soil degradation and water wastage. Vertical Future addresses these concerns by providing vertical farming solutions that employ soilless techniques, significantly reducing water consumption compared to conventional farming practices.

2. Mukur Clean Stove

Mukuru Eco Stoves transforms waste from local sources into innovative and eco-friendly cookstoves. Collaborating with businesses owned by local women, they distribute these stoves.

This enterprise has successfully sold over 250,000 stoves in Kenya, preventing more than 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions. Their influence extends beyond clearing the air of pollution; they also uplift Kenyan youth and women within their community by fostering empowerment.

3. WATS

The significant volume of waste and its poor handling have played a crucial role in releasing greenhouse gases. This led Laura Rosenshin and Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli to establish WATS.

WATS, short for Waste Administrative Tracking Software, provides a digital dashboard focusing on waste management. Its goal is to assist facilities managers in monitoring their waste, promoting sustainability, adhering to green standards, and ultimately fostering a circular economy.

4. Mirova

Mirova boasts a higher representation of women on both their management and advisory board, many of whom occupy key roles like COO and head of development.

Functioning as a conviction-driven consultancy, the company provides investment solutions combining strong financial performance and a commitment to environmental solutions. This emphasis aids small startups globally in securing funding and enhancing their scalability.

5. Itselectric

As an increasing number of individuals opt for hybrid or electric cars, the challenge lies in finding sufficient charging spots. In response, Itselectric introduces budget-friendly curbside charging stations designed for urban areas.

The goal is to ensure one charger for every ten vehicles in cities throughout the United States. Itselectric also delves into micro-mobility, making its chargers compatible with e-bikes, wheelchairs, and scooters.

6. RediGo Carbon

Utilizing an API link, RediGo gathers carbon data from a company’s manufacturing to distribution processes. The company then conducts an audit, analyses emission data, and delivers a comprehensive report.

It’s essential to highlight that RediGo customizes the plan to align with each company’s specific needs and scale. Additionally, they provide a marketplace to support companies in achieving their net-zero commitment.

7. Circulor

The business provides a tracking feature tailored for the supply-chain sector. Its technology calculates and monitors emissions to guarantee the company’s adherence to social and environmental standards.

8. 1point8

This company transforms biomass waste into Biochar. Operating a fully automated system, they capture carbon and cut down 1.8 Giga tonnes yearly. To maintain sustainability and lower operational expenses, they distribute the pyrolysis process.

Notably, these firms represent just a small portion of the many climate tech companies led by women. Numerous other companies are also working towards a greener future by employing and developing environmentally friendly technologies.

9. Fairatmos

Fairatmos, the pioneer climate tech company in Southeast Asia, presents a platform for carbon offset projects. Businesses and individuals can engage in global initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in carefully selected projects through this marketplace.

Final Words

Women lead not only in climate tech but also in numerous other sectors. Despite some criticism of venture capitalists for not giving enough attention to women-led startups, many companies have proven otherwise. These pioneers in the niche continue to spearhead efforts, working on various fronts to provide sustainable solutions for climate change mitigation.