The Download: Introducing the 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch for 2025

In an era defined by urgent environmental challenges, innovation stands as our most formidable weapon. The race to mitigate climate change and transition to a sustainable global economy is accelerating, driven by groundbreaking advancements in technology. Today, we’re thrilled to unveil the next wave of pioneers poised to reshape our future.

This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.

Introducing: 10 climate tech companies to watch

Every year, the MIT Technology Review newsroom produces a list of some of the most promising climate tech firms on the planet. It’s an exercise that we hope brings positive attention to companies working to decarbonize major sectors of the economy, whether by spinning up new, cleaner sources of energy or reinventing how we produce foods and distribute goods.

Though the political and funding landscape has shifted dramatically in the US since last year, nothing has altered the urgency of the climate dangers the world now faces—we need to rapidly curb greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. This project highlights the firms making progress toward that end.

Check out the third annual edition of the list, and learn more about why we selected these companies.

Why Climate Tech is Our Best Bet

The global community faces an undeniable imperative: rapidly curb greenhouse gas emissions to avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. Despite numerous efforts and agreements, the goals for limiting global warming laid out in the 2015 Paris Agreement remain elusive. While it’s tempting to point fingers at political inertia or corporate resistance, a more fundamental challenge exists: we don’t yet possess all the necessary technological tools, and many existing ones are prohibitively expensive.

This reality, however, is not a cause for despair but for profound optimism. As Bill Gates insightfully notes, “Our best weapon against climate change is ingenuity.” Humans possess an extraordinary capacity for invention. We have already developed numerous technologies actively reducing emissions, and a continuous stream of positive changes is on the horizon. This relentless pursuit of innovation forms the bedrock of climate technology, offering solutions where traditional methods falter.

Climate tech encompasses vast sectors, from renewable energy generation and storage to carbon capture, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly manufacturing. It’s about reimagining industrial processes, optimizing resource use, and developing entirely new ways to live within planetary boundaries. These emerging companies aren’t just incrementally improving systems; they are fundamentally reshaping industries to be sustainable from the ground up.

The urgency couldn’t be clearer. As populations grow and energy demands surge, the need for scalable, efficient, and affordable decarbonization solutions becomes paramount. The companies we highlight are at the vanguard, demonstrating how ingenuity transforms intractable problems into opportunities for a greener, more resilient future.

The Innovators: What Defines a “Company to Watch”?

Identifying climate tech companies poised for significant impact requires a discerning eye. The MIT Technology Review newsroom’s annual selection process is rigorous, focusing on firms that not only exhibit groundbreaking technology but also demonstrate potential for scalability, market viability, and tangible decarbonization impact. These aren’t just academic concepts; they are ventures ready to make a real-world difference.

A “company to watch” typically embodies several key characteristics. Firstly, it leverages cutting-edge research and development to address critical bottlenecks in climate action. This could involve advanced battery technologies for grid-scale energy storage, novel materials for carbon-negative construction, or sophisticated AI for optimizing energy consumption. Their solutions often represent a significant leap forward, moving beyond incremental improvements to offer disruptive potential.

Secondly, these companies are tackling challenges across diverse sectors of the economy. From reinventing food production through precision agriculture and alternative proteins, to designing more efficient and sustainable logistics, their influence extends far beyond traditional “green energy.” Expect innovators in areas like industrial decarbonization, water management, waste-to-value solutions, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Thirdly, and crucially, is the potential for real-world impact. While scientific breakthroughs are essential, a company’s ability to translate those into deployable, affordable, and scalable solutions truly sets it apart. The firms on our list are past the conceptual stage, actively developing or deploying products and services that can genuinely move the needle on global emissions and foster environmental resilience.

They are not merely building products; they are constructing the infrastructure and systems of tomorrow’s sustainable economy. Their success stories provide a blueprint for how ingenuity can overcome environmental hurdles, making a compelling case for optimism in the face of daunting challenges.

From Concept to Impact: Driving Real-World Change

The promise of climate technology isn’t just in its innovation; it’s in its ability to translate that into measurable, positive change for our planet. These pioneering companies aren’t just abstract ideas; they represent concrete steps towards a decarbonized future. Consider the impact of a hypothetical company like “HydroGenics.” This startup develops advanced electrolysis technology using renewable energy to produce green hydrogen at a fraction of the current cost, making it a viable clean fuel for heavy industry and transportation. Their pilot projects demonstrate significant emission reduction from manufacturing plants, proving scalable solutions are imminent.

HydroGenics’ work exemplifies how focused technological development addresses specific, high-emission sectors, offering a clear path to a cleaner operational future. Their success doesn’t just benefit the environment; it creates new economic opportunities, drives technological advancements, and positions early adopters for long-term sustainability.

Actionable Steps for a Sustainable Future:

As individuals and organizations, we all have a role to play in accelerating this transition. Supporting climate tech isn’t just about passive observation; it’s about active engagement. Here are three actionable steps you can take:

1. Educate and Advocate: Stay informed about the latest climate innovations and policies. Share reliable information within your networks. Support political leaders and initiatives that prioritize climate action and investment in sustainable technologies. Your voice can influence policy and public discourse, creating a more favorable environment for these companies to thrive.
2. Invest Responsibly: Consider directing your investments, however big or small, towards companies and funds committed to sustainability. Look for ethical investment opportunities in clean energy, green infrastructure, and climate tech startups. Even supporting businesses with strong ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) scores can make a difference. Every dollar directed towards sustainable ventures helps fuel the next wave of innovation.
3. Embrace Sustainable Practices: Integrate sustainable choices into your daily life. This includes reducing your energy consumption, opting for public transport or electric vehicles, minimizing waste, supporting local and sustainable food systems, and choosing products from eco-conscious companies. Collective individual actions, amplified across communities, create a powerful demand signal for greener solutions and foster an ecosystem where climate tech can flourish.

By engaging with these steps, you become an active participant in the climate solution, contributing to the momentum that will drive these innovative companies to achieve their full potential.

Conclusion

The path to a decarbonized world is undeniably complex, but it is illuminated by the relentless spirit of human ingenuity. The 10 climate tech companies highlighted in this year’s edition of “The Download” represent the vanguard of this critical movement. They are not merely responding to a crisis; they are proactively building the foundational technologies and solutions for a sustainable future, revolutionizing everything from energy production to food systems.

Their work offers compelling evidence that through strategic innovation and dedicated effort, we can indeed overcome the monumental challenges of climate change. As these companies grow, scale, and deliver impact, they will serve as powerful catalysts, inspiring further investment, research, and widespread adoption of sustainable practices across the globe.

We believe that by shining a spotlight on these promising firms, we can accelerate their journey and collectively move closer to achieving a resilient and thriving planet for generations to come. The future of our world depends on the brilliant minds and bold ventures that dare to innovate for a better tomorrow.

Discover More and Stay Ahead:

Eager to dive deeper into the world of climate innovation and track the progress of these game-changing companies? Explore the full list and detailed profiles of the 10 climate tech companies to watch for 2025 on our website.

Don’t miss a beat in the evolving landscape of technology and sustainability. Subscribe to “The Download” today for your daily dose of critical insights and groundbreaking news.

What defines a “Company to Watch” in climate tech?

Companies to watch in climate tech exhibit groundbreaking technology, potential for scalability, market viability, and tangible decarbonization impact. They leverage cutting-edge R&D to address critical bottlenecks, tackle challenges across diverse sectors of the economy, and are actively developing or deploying solutions that can genuinely move the needle on global emissions and foster environmental resilience.

Why is climate tech considered our best bet against climate change?

Climate tech is seen as our best bet because it provides the necessary technological tools and innovative solutions to rapidly curb greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a sustainable global economy. As Bill Gates highlights, “Our best weapon against climate change is ingenuity,” and climate tech embodies this, offering solutions for energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and more, which traditional methods often cannot.

How can individuals support climate tech innovation?

Individuals can support climate tech innovation by taking several actionable steps: 1) Educating and Advocating for climate-friendly policies and innovations, 2) Investing Responsibly in sustainable companies and funds, and 3) Embracing Sustainable Practices in daily life, such as reducing energy consumption, choosing eco-conscious products, and minimizing waste.