51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Meet the 13 startups who have just embarked on The Greenhouse climate innovation accelerator programme at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.

is excited to welcome its seventh cohort onto accelerator programme. Despite working across different sectors and industries, these startups all have a common purpose and vision: to develop innovations that tackle climate change and create a more sustainable, equitable future for life on Earth. From smart compostable packaging made from onion waste to transforming CO₂ into carbon-negative minerals for use in construction; using AI to scale environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments to eliminating waste in the pharmaceutical industry, these ventures are pioneering solutions that keep the climate at the core of their business.

"We’re really pleased to welcome thirteen brilliant teams with high-potential technologies onto Cohort 7 of the programme," says Jim Shaikh, Head of The Greenhouse. "We received over 85 applications from climate innovators from across the UK – the highest number we’ve had so far – and were hard-pressed to select the cohort. I’m particularly pleased that 85% of the successful teams have at least one female founder, with four all-female founding teams. Women in VC investment rounds are under-represented, and its key we address this gap and provide the right support at different stages of the entrepreneurial journey."

Let's meet meet Cohort 7!

Transforming CO₂

Many of the startups on Cohort 7 are focused on transforming carbon dioxide – capturing it from the atmosphere, finding clever ways to lock it away and even repurposing it by turning it into green materials that can be used across different industries.

Deep Blue BioTech

is on a mission to turn CO₂ into superior green chemicals by pioneering a technology platform powered by Synthetic Biology and AI that harnesses the power of Cyanobacteria, the fastest growing photosynthetic organism on Earth. .

Mechapres

develops affordable and easy to integrate heat pumping and waste heat recovery solutions for industrial steam generation. Its patented design (see infographics below) achieves high-efficiency while keeping the manufacturing cost low, and enables Mechapres to take advantage of intermittent solar or waste heat, and off-peak electricity. .

VENTRIX

 is scaling carbon capture through existing building infrastructures. The team aims to help businesses achieve Net Zero goals by directly capturing carbon onsite via their novel solution which provides secure, viable and high-quality carbon emission reduction while improving overall operational efficiency. .

In The Air Tech

aims to improve air quality by making pollution-absorbing ceramic products for architects, contractors, and designers seeking affordable and sustainable air purification solutions. The company also recycles any waste or returned products into new goods. .

refers to techniques that capture greenhouse gases already present in the air, storing or chemically converting them with some degree of permanence. , the UK’s national research hub on Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR), is sponsoring three of the companies on Cohort 7 on The Greenhouse.

Medusa Materials

is transforming CO₂ into carbon-negative minerals, which can then be used in construction to reduce cement use and store captured carbon.

Saol Nua

Saol Nua is a durable, bio-based polyester textile replacement, reducing plastic use and giving the fashion industry a new life. .

CapChar

is pioneering a decentralised network to scale production of 'Made in the UK' biochar carbon dioxide removal. .

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance created by heating plant matter (biomass) to high temperatures in a low oxygen environment – a process known as pyrolysis. It can hold onto the carbon that was in the plant matter for many years – hence it acts as a carbon store.

Fighting waste and making materials sustainable

Cohort 7 also welcomes founders working on the next generation of innovative green materials.

HUID

converts onion waste into compostable smart packaging. It is developing PYBER, a card-like material made from biologically processed onion skin fibres, that provides a sustainable alternative to wood fibre paper for secondary packaging products. .

Sequinova

produce biodegradable and eco-friendly sparkle materials at scale for a more circular fashion and beauty industry. .

Seasprout

converts shrimp shell waste into biodegradable products for the horticulture and agriculture industry by replacing HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic while fostering sustainable communities. .

Sealeo

Sealeo is on a mission to eliminate waste in the pharmaceutical industry by revolutionising last-mile temperature-sensitive medicine delivery via its fully biodegradable cooling material. Its novel packaging material is designed to keep vaccines cold passively, effectively, and affordably. .

Green innovation in finance and investment

The (CGFI) is sponsoring two startups in Cohort 7.

Biofonic

is accelerating the adoption of sustainable agriculture through its low-cost acoustic soil sensor technology and AI. The team is on a mission to make ecosystem-based farming a winning proposition for both farmers’ bottom lines and the environment. .

Fidata

is scaling ESG investments via an end-to-end AI-driven decisions platform. .

"We’re delighted to welcome Biofonic and Fidata to the newest cohort of The Greenhouse accelerator," says Christophe Christiaen, Head of Innovation and Impact, UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment. "CGFI is excited to support them delivering the innovations in climate data and analytics we need to transform finance for a greener future. We were impressed throughout the process by both entrants’ technical competence and vision, and their potential for environmental impact through finance."

"By supporting climate finance innovation, we contribute to the UK's economic growth and ensure a resilient future for generations to come," emphasises Dr Yllka Hysaj, Research Associate, UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment.

About The Greenhouse

Over the past 12 years , one of the most established specialist climate accelerators in the world, has refined a proven model for accelerating adaptable solutions to the climate crisis. The survival rate of Undaunted startups is 93% compared to the industry average of 10%; alumni from the programme have gone on to raise upwards of $1bn in investment, operating across 30 countries and creating over 2000 jobs globally. They include (winners of the Earthshot Prize 2022), (who are now partnering with Volvo), and (who recently on large-scale decarbonisation projects across Europe and the UK).

“We’re incredibly proud to support the Greenhouse, and delighted to see so many female founders amongst this newest cohort of ventures,” says Michaela Wright, Head of Corporate Sustainability at HSBC UK. “Diversity of thinking is key to developing new innovative ideas to scale up climate solutions to have a real-world impact.”

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About Undaunted

is a hub for the UK’s climate innovation community, creating new routes into green entrepreneurship and supporting the acceleration of startups and SMEs tackling climate change.

It is a partnership between the and the Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.

The Greenhouse programme is supported by the Greater London Authority via the ; HSBC UK, through the bank’s global ; and the .

Notes to Editors: 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is part of HSBC’s global , which aims to unlock barriers to finance for companies and projects that tackle climate change to bring them to scale while also delivering for people and nature. The global initiative is backed by $100m of philanthropic funding from HSBC over five years.