Cleantech Innovations: How Swiss startups are shaping a greener future

The Swiss innovation ecosystem is tackling environmental challenges through cleantech startups. The TOP 100 cleantech startups are making significant strides in various industries, including decarbonisation, renewable energy generation, smart agriculture and material recycling, demonstrating the vast potential of cleantech innovation. Gina Domanig, Founder and Managing Partner of Emerald Technology Ventures, highlights the importance of regulation and the role of startups in advancing sustainability. Dive into the world of Swiss cleantech innovation and join us on the journey towards a more sustainable world!

Pollution prevention, renewable energy production, increased efficiency, decarbonisation, net zero by 2025, and the circular economy: cleantech has many faces. The Swiss innovation ecosystem has embraced today's environmental challenges: universities are researching, investors are raising money, and more and more cleantech start-ups are being created. They are all working together on solutions that may seem revolutionary today but will likely shape our everyday lives soon.
 
Heat from the walls - turning underground garages into geothermal power plants 
One of these Swiss cleantech founders is Margaux Peltier, co-founder and CEO of EPFL spin-off Enerdrape. Enerdrape's geothermal panels are changing the way buildings manage energy in the underground garage of a Swiss housing development. We spoke to Margaux about how the solution turns overlooked spaces into efficient sources of heating and cooling. With installations expanding across Switzerland, Enerdrape offers a practical way to achieve clean energy in urban environments.
 

Insights from Switzerland's most experienced cleantech investor 
Gina Domanig, Founder and Managing Partner of Emerald Technology Ventures, provides an investor's perspective on the cleantech sector in Switzerland. She is recognised as the most successful cleantech investor in Switzerland. We spoke to Gina about how cleantech, as an industrial technology, can positively impact the environmental footprint of various sectors. She highlighted the importance of regulation in driving innovation and the role of startups in achieving sustainability goals.



TOP 100 Cleantech Startups: From decarbonisation to smart agriculture
We looked at the TOP 100 startups that are revolutionising different industries with their innovative solutions. In the area of decarbonisation, these startups are making significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions in transport, industry and households. In energy generation, they are pioneering renewable alternatives to fossil fuel power plants, while advances in energy storage are increasing the availability of wind and solar power. In food and nutrition, smart solutions are transforming agriculture and the food industry. Materials recycling is another area where startups are excelling, with a focus on recycling plastics, construction and household waste. Mobility is also being redefined as transport systems are aligned with CO2 reduction targets. Finally, the potential of materials technology is being harnessed to create organic and resource-efficient materials, demonstrating the enormous opportunities in this field.



This article was first published in the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Magazine 2024.