London is unique in the climate tech world because it sits at the intersection of capital and code. While other hubs focus purely on software or hardware, London combines the financial muscle of the City with the engineering prowess of Imperial College. The result is an ecosystem that specialises in Bankable Climate Tech solutions, rigorous enough for global finance to underwrite.
The founders here are building the risk models, supply chain trackers, and industrial capture systems that make decarbonization profitable. From AI that sorts trash to software that extends battery life, here are the 10 Climate and ESG startups in London you need to watch in 2026.
Sylvera
Allister Furey and Sam Gill founded Sylvera to fix the trust crisis in the carbon markets. They realised that corporations were buying carbon credits without knowing if the trees actually existed. Sylvera serves as the “Moody’s of Carbon,” using satellite imagery, lidar, and machine learning to rate the quality of carbon offset projects independently. Having raised over $57 million from investors like Index Ventures and Balderton, they provide the source of truth that allows Fortune 500 companies to invest in climate action without the risk of greenwashing scandals.
Carbon Clean
Aniruddha Sharma founded Carbon Clean to address the most challenging part of the net-zero equation, the heavy industry. While most carbon capture technology is the size of a factory, their CycloneCC technology shrinks the equipment to the size of a shipping container. This modular approach allows cement and steel plants to capture CO2 emissions on-site cost-effectively. Backed by energy giants like Chevron and CEMEX, they are deploying industrial-scale carbon capture across Europe, proving that the solution to pollution is scalable engineering, not just regulation.
Greyparrot
Mikela Druckman created Greyparrot to give the waste industry a brain. Globally, we recycle less than 1% of our waste because sorting facilities are blind to it. Greyparrot installs AI-powered computer vision systems on conveyor belts in recycling plants. Their software identifies different types of waste (plastic, glass, paper) in milliseconds, allowing facility managers to audit their waste streams and optimise sorting. By turning waste into data, they are increasing recovery rates globally and providing the transparency brands need to meet circular economy targets.
Circulor
Douglas Johnson-Poensgen founded Circulor to illuminate the darkest parts of the global supply chain. As the EV revolution takes off, manufacturers need to prove their batteries don’t contain child labour, cobalt, or conflict minerals linked to high carbon emissions. Circulor uses blockchain and AI to track raw materials from the mine to the manufacturer, creating an immutable “product passport.” Working with clients like Volvo and Polestar, they ensure that the green transition is ethically sound, turning supply chain transparency from a nice-to-have into a license to operate.
Breathe Battery Technologies
Spinning out of Imperial College London, Dr Ian Campbell and Dr Yan Zhao founded Breathe to improve batteries without changing the chemistry. They build physics-based battery management software that optimises charging. Unlike standard charging protocols that degrade cells, Breathe’s adaptive algorithms adjust charging in real-time to prevent plating and overheating. This software-first approach allows carmakers to charge EVs faster and extend their range without requiring new hardware. Their partnership with Volvo Cars is the first mass-market validation of software-defined batteries.
Vertical Future
Jamie Burrows founded Vertical Future to move vertical farming beyond the hype cycle. Unlike competitors who focus on selling expensive salads, Vertical Future builds the hardware and software infrastructure that enables others to grow. Their proprietary systems use advanced robotics and aeroponics to grow crops with 98% less water than traditional farming. Based in South East London, they are deploying their technology globally to pharmaceutical companies and food producers, proving that high-tech agriculture is a viable infrastructure play rather than just a niche food trend.
Mission Zero Technologies
Nicholas Chadwick and Gaël Gobaille-Shaw founded Mission Zero Technologies to pull CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Unlike other Direct Air Capture (DAC) methods that require massive amounts of heat, their technology uses an electrochemical process that runs on electricity and can operate at ambient temperatures. This makes it far more energy-efficient and scalable. Backed by Stripe and the XPRIZE, they are building modular units that can be deployed anywhere to turn atmospheric carbon into a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel or building materials.
Climate X
Lukky Ahmed and Kamil Kluza foundedClimate X to put a price on climate change. Banks and real estate funds hold trillions in assets, but they don’t know which buildings will flood or burn in 2050. Climate X provides a data analytics platform that models climate risk at the asset level, down to the specific address level. Their “Spectra” platform allows financial institutions to stress-test their portfolios against different warming scenarios. As regulators mandate climate risk reporting, Climate X has become the essential navigation tool for the financial sector.
Naked Energy
Christophe Williams founded Naked Energy to solve the roof space dilemma. Traditional solar panels produce only electricity, while thermal panels produce only hot water. Naked Energy’s “Virtu” technology combines both in a unique vacuum tube design. This hybrid approach generates up to 4 times more energy per unit area than traditional PV. It is particularly effective for decarbonising commercial buildings like hotels and hospitals that have high demand for both power and heat, offering a rapid ROI in an era of volatile energy prices.
Zenobe
Nicholas Beatty and James Basden built Zenobe to solve the intermittency of renewable energy. They are the UK’s leading owner and operator of grid-scale battery storage and EV fleet infrastructure. Zenobe captures renewable energy when it is windy or sunny and deploys it when the grid is stressed. Furthermore, they finance and manage the batteries for electric buses, removing the upfront cost barrier for transport operators. With over £1 billion in investment, they are the heavy lifters of the energy transition, physically balancing the grid to allow for 100% renewable penetration.
