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CleanTech Industry Report 2024: Market Data & Innovations

CleanTech Industry Report 2024: Market Data & Innovations

Numerous industries are under pressure to decarbonize---and reducing resource intensive processes is part of the solutions impacting industrial companies. This report explores key market data for the CleanTech industry as well as areas of innovation and their implications for companies worldwide.
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The 2024 CleanTech Industry Report provides an overview of the sector’s current landscape, emphasizing key trends, technological advancements, and market dynamics. This report explores the performance of major companies, emerging startups, and innovations driving the industry towards sustainability. Focusing on environmental impact, energy efficiency, and regulatory changes, the report offers insights into how these factors shape the clean tech sector.

This report was last updated in July 2024.

This cleantech report serves as a reference for stakeholders within the industry, investors, policymakers, and economic analysts, providing a snapshot of the industry’s health to map its trajectory for innovation and growth in the coming years.

StartUs Insights CleanTech Report 2024

Cleantech Industry Report | StartUs Insights

Executive Summary: CleanTech Report 2024

This report uses data from the Big Data and AI-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering more than 4.7 million global companies, as well as 20K+ technologies and emerging trends. We also analyzed a sample of 1900+ CleanTech startups developing innovative solutions to present five examples from emerging clean tech industry trends.

  • Industry Growth: The clean tech industry has demonstrated high growth with a 20.56% increase in the last year, reflecting its dynamic nature.
  • Manpower & Employment Growth: The sector employs over 290000 individuals globally, adding 24000 new employees in the past year, showcasing significant employment opportunities.
  • Patents & Grants: Innovation within the industry is robust, with over 8500 patents and more than 2300 grants supporting research and development.
  • Global Footprint: Leading country hubs include the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, and India, with key city hubs in London, Toronto, New York City, San Francisco, and Singapore.
  • Investment Landscape: The industry has seen substantial investments, with an average investment value of USD 16.7 million per funding round and over 2940 funding rounds closed.
  • Top Investors: Top investors include Brookfield Renewable Partners (USD 230 million), Sustainable Development Technology Canada (USD 105 million), Breakthrough Energy Ventures (USD 80 million), and more.
  • Startup Ecosystem: Five innovative startups include: Innova Hydrogen (Methane-to-Hydrogen), Princeton NuEnergy (Li-ion recycling tech), KUORI (food byproducts to elastic materials), MycoFutures (mycelium-based leather), and Exergy3 (thermal energy storage) showcase the sector’s global reach and entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Recommendations for Stakeholders: Investors should focus on funding startups and projects that emphasize renewable energy, carbon capture, and efficient resource management. Entrepreneurs should leverage emerging trends such as electrolyzer technology and sustainable agriculture to create future-looking solutions. Governments have a big role to play in supporting the industry through favorable policies, grants, and strong incentives that promote green technologies and innovation.

Explore the Data-driven CleanTech Report for 2024

The CleanTech Report 2024 uses data from the Discovery Platform and encapsulates the key metrics that underline the sector’s dynamic growth and innovation. The clean tech industry has demonstrated remarkable growth and innovation, as reflected in the key data points highlighted in this heatmap. Our database includes over 6300 companies globally. The industry experienced an impressive growth rate of 20.56% in the last year, underscoring its dynamic nature and capacity for rapid expansion. Innovation within the clean tech industry is robust, with over 8500 patents and more than 2,300 grants supporting research and development.

The sector employs over 290000 individuals worldwide, with a significant addition of 24000 new employees in the past year. Leading country hubs driving this growth include the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, and India. Key city hubs fostering innovation and development in clean tech are London, Toronto, New York City, San Francisco, and Singapore. The heatmap above visualizes these data points, highlighting regions with significant industry activity and innovation.

What data is used to create this cleantech report?

Based on the data provided by our Discovery Platform, we observe that the cleantech industry ranks among the top 5% in the following categories relative to all 20K topics in our database. These categories provide a comprehensive overview of the industry’s key metrics and inform the short-term future direction of the industry.

  • News Coverage & Publications: The industry has received significant news coverage and publications, with over 14500 publications in the last year.
  • Funding Rounds: Our database records more than 2940 funding rounds, showcasing robust investment activity.
  • Manpower: The clean tech industry employs over 290000 workers, adding over 24000 new employees last year.
  • Patents: With more than 8500 patents, the industry demonstrates strong innovation and intellectual property growth.
  • Grants: The industry has secured over 2300 grants, highlighting substantial research and development funding.
  • Yearly Global Search Growth: Yearly global search growth for the industry stands at 8.88%, indicating increasing interest and visibility.

A Snapshot of the Global CleanTech Industry

The clean tech industry has experienced substantial growth and investment activity over the past year, as reflected in key metrics. The sector saw significant employee growth, adding 24000 new employees, contributing to over 6300 companies globally. This expansion underscores the industry’s resilience and capacity to generate employment opportunities.

Explore the Funding Landscape of the CleanTech Industry

Investment in the clean tech industry has been robust, with an average investment value of USD 16.7 million per funding round. The industry has attracted over 1100 investors, indicating strong confidence in its potential and innovation. There have been more than 2940 funding rounds closed, showcasing a high level of investment activity and interest.

Further, over 1270 companies have received investments, demonstrating a broad distribution of funding across various enterprises within the sector. This widespread investment supports the industry’s growth, development, and ongoing innovation, positioning it as a dynamic and evolving field within the global economy.

Who is Investing in CleanTech?

The clean tech industry has attracted substantial investments, with top investors contributing more than USD 2.5 billion combined. This significant financial support highlights the industry’s potential and ongoing innovation.

These investments help fuel technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and market expansion, contributing to the overall dynamism and resilience of the clean tech sector.

Electrolyzer Technology is a rapidly growing segment within the clean tech industry, with 677 companies and 91000 employees. This sector focuses on hydrogen production through water electrolysis, contributing to clean energy solutions. The industry has seen significant growth, adding 5600 new employees in the past year. With an impressive annual growth rate of 38.17%, electrolyzer technology is increasingly vital for sustainable energy strategies.

Sustainable Agriculture is a crucial area within the clean tech industry, encompassing 3284 companies and employing 298000 individuals. This sector aims to enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact. In the past year, sustainable agriculture added 19000 new employees, reflecting its growing significance. With an annual growth rate of 7.60%, this field is witnessing steady advancements and the adoption of eco-friendly practices.

Carbon Sequestration Technology is an important trend in the clean tech industry, involving 924 companies with 35000 employees. This sector focuses on capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change. The industry has experienced growth, adding 4400 new employees in the past year. With an annual growth rate of 6.32%, carbon sequestration technologies are gaining traction.

5 Top Examples from 1900+ Innovative CleanTech Startups

The five innovative startups showcased below are picked based on data including the trend they operate within and their relevance, founding year, funding status, and more. Book a demo to find promising startups, emerging trends, or industry data specific to your company’s needs and objectives.

Innova Hydrogen develops Methane-to-Hydrogen Technology

Canadian startup Innova Hydrogen develops advanced electrolyzer technology for clean hydrogen production. Its innovative platform, InnovaHydro, employs a high-efficiency proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer system to generate hydrogen. This system uses methane and renewable energy sources, ensuring zero-emission hydrogen production. The technology features compact and scalable designs, making it suitable for various industrial applications. InnovaHydro also integrates advanced materials to enhance durability and performance.

Princeton NuEnergy builds Lithium Ion Battery Recycling Technology

US-based startup Princeton NuEnergy develops innovative recycling technology to convert waste tires into reusable materials. Its platform, PneReclaim, processes tires through a proprietary pyrolysis method, extracting valuable by-products. This technology produces high-quality carbon black, steel, and oil, enhancing resource efficiency. This system reduces environmental impact by minimizing waste and lowering carbon emissions. The PneReclaim platform integrates seamlessly with existing waste management infrastructures, ensuring widespread applicability.

KUORI converts Food Byproducts into Elastic Materials

Swiss startup KUORI develops innovative solutions for sustainable material recycling in the clean tech industry. Its advanced technology platform transforms organic waste into high-value products, promoting a circular economy. The company’s proprietary process, BioCycling, efficiently converts bio-waste into biodegradable materials suitable for various applications. KUORI’s products include compostable packaging and sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, enhancing environmental benefits. Its technology reduces landfill waste and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global sustainability goals.

MycoFutures produces Mycelium-based Leather

Mycelium of the Future is a Canadian startup developing innovative solutions using mycelium-based technology for sustainable construction materials. Its platform creates eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials by harnessing the natural properties of mycelium. The technology focuses on producing high-performance, biodegradable building products that reduce environmental impact. MycoFuture’s products include insulation panels and composite materials, offering superior thermal and structural performance. These materials also promote energy efficiency and sustainability in construction projects.

Exergy3 develops Thermal Energy Storage Solutions

UK-based startup Exergy3 develops advanced thermodynamic systems to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. Its proprietary technology, Exergy Capture, optimizes energy recovery from industrial processes, significantly reducing waste and emissions. The Exergy Capture system integrates with existing infrastructure, ensuring minimal disruption during implementation. This technology maximizes energy conversion efficiency in various industrial applications. Exergy3’s platform also features real-time monitoring and analytics, providing actionable insights for continuous improvement.

Gain Comprehensive Insights into CleanTech Trends, Startups, or Technologies

The 2024 Clean Tech Industry Report highlights the sector’s critical role in advancing sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. Significant growth areas, such as electrolyzer technology, sustainable agriculture, and carbon sequestration, showcase the industry’s commitment to innovation. Contact us to explore all 1900+ startups and scaleups, as well as all clean tech industry trends impacting industries and companies worldwide.

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