New and recently funded Energy Startups
1
Country: USA | Funding: $77.3M
Star Catcher is creating the first space power grid - an orbital power transmission system designed for wireless optical (laser) power transmission to satellites and spacecraft. This grid could reduce the need for larger onboard solar arrays and batteries, extend mission life, and enable more energy-intensive applications in orbit. Star Catcher's laser receivers are small and lightweight, and can be installed without major modifications to the satellite's structure. The company has already completed an in-orbit demonstration of the subsystem and, according to the company, set a world record for optical power transmission.
Star Catcher is creating the first space power grid - an orbital power transmission system designed for wireless optical (laser) power transmission to satellites and spacecraft. This grid could reduce the need for larger onboard solar arrays and batteries, extend mission life, and enable more energy-intensive applications in orbit. Star Catcher's laser receivers are small and lightweight, and can be installed without major modifications to the satellite's structure. The company has already completed an in-orbit demonstration of the subsystem and, according to the company, set a world record for optical power transmission.
2
Country: USA | Funding: $361.7M
Focused Energy is developing fusion reactor that uses lasers to compress fuel an approach known as inertial confinement. Lasers strike a fuel target, which is compressed by the laser radiation, creating conditions favorable for fusion. When the atoms within the fuel finally fuse, they release a significant amount of energy. The company bases its design on an experiment conducted at the National Fusion Facility which remains the first and only one to create a controlled nuclear fusion reaction that released more energy than it took to start it. Focused Energy is working on simplifying the fuel target. One simplification involves eliminating the hohlraum - the high-precision gold cylinder that converts laser energy into X-rays.
Focused Energy is developing fusion reactor that uses lasers to compress fuel an approach known as inertial confinement. Lasers strike a fuel target, which is compressed by the laser radiation, creating conditions favorable for fusion. When the atoms within the fuel finally fuse, they release a significant amount of energy. The company bases its design on an experiment conducted at the National Fusion Facility which remains the first and only one to create a controlled nuclear fusion reaction that released more energy than it took to start it. Focused Energy is working on simplifying the fuel target. One simplification involves eliminating the hohlraum - the high-precision gold cylinder that converts laser energy into X-rays.
3
Country: USA | Funding: $484.7M
Mach is developing a suite of hydrogen-powered platforms and munitions for the military, including unmanned aerial vehicles and hydrogen generation systems.
Mach is developing a suite of hydrogen-powered platforms and munitions for the military, including unmanned aerial vehicles and hydrogen generation systems.
4
Country: Sweden | Funding: $710M
Aira manufactures and installs heat pumps that use fresh air to heat a house and produce hot water. Each Aira heat pump system includes an outdoor unit, indoor units, a thermostat, and a control app. The heat pump is controlled by the AI-powered Aira Intelligence system, which saves energy and money. The outdoor unit is compact and can be installed in the garden, on a driveway, or along an external wall. The indoor units require approximately 1–1.5 m² of floor space. They are suitable for a storage room, utility room, garage, or even an attic.
Aira manufactures and installs heat pumps that use fresh air to heat a house and produce hot water. Each Aira heat pump system includes an outdoor unit, indoor units, a thermostat, and a control app. The heat pump is controlled by the AI-powered Aira Intelligence system, which saves energy and money. The outdoor unit is compact and can be installed in the garden, on a driveway, or along an external wall. The indoor units require approximately 1–1.5 m² of floor space. They are suitable for a storage room, utility room, garage, or even an attic.
5
Country: USA
Integrator for hybrid electrification of boat propulsion and "hotel-usage" electrical demand. Many years experience in commercial boats now including recreational market. From fully electric ferries to hybrid OSVs, tugs, and bunker ships, the company led marine electrification for two decades.
Integrator for hybrid electrification of boat propulsion and "hotel-usage" electrical demand. Many years experience in commercial boats now including recreational market. From fully electric ferries to hybrid OSVs, tugs, and bunker ships, the company led marine electrification for two decades.
6
Country: USA | Funding: $120M
Thea Energy is developing pixel-inspired Helios fusion reactor that will offer a lower cost than competitors. It's a stellarator - a special type of reactor that uses magnets to shape plasma fuel into the desired shape. These magnets are small, identical superconducting magnets, allowing for mass production. The startup will use software to individually control each magnet to generate magnetic fields that can replicate the stellarator's unstable shape. This approach allows rapid optimization of the magnet design. Helios is projected to generate 390 megawatts of electricity at a cost of under $150 per megawatt-hour. Production is scheduled to start around 2030.
Thea Energy is developing pixel-inspired Helios fusion reactor that will offer a lower cost than competitors. It's a stellarator - a special type of reactor that uses magnets to shape plasma fuel into the desired shape. These magnets are small, identical superconducting magnets, allowing for mass production. The startup will use software to individually control each magnet to generate magnetic fields that can replicate the stellarator's unstable shape. This approach allows rapid optimization of the magnet design. Helios is projected to generate 390 megawatts of electricity at a cost of under $150 per megawatt-hour. Production is scheduled to start around 2030.
7
Country: USA | Funding: $18.4M
Helix Earth has created an auxiliary HVAC pre-treatment system that connects to existing rooftop air conditioners, VRF systems, commercial split systems and removes moisture and filters outside air before it enters the air conditioning system. This allows the equipment to operate at a lower load, consume less energy, and last longer without the need for replacement. The company's approach is based on an innovative NASA technology that separates temperature control and humidity management, allowing each to be optimized independently. The system is primarily used in quick-service restaurants (QSRs), cafes, retail stores, schools, nursing homes, hotels, small offices, theaters, and healthcare facilities.
Helix Earth has created an auxiliary HVAC pre-treatment system that connects to existing rooftop air conditioners, VRF systems, commercial split systems and removes moisture and filters outside air before it enters the air conditioning system. This allows the equipment to operate at a lower load, consume less energy, and last longer without the need for replacement. The company's approach is based on an innovative NASA technology that separates temperature control and humidity management, allowing each to be optimized independently. The system is primarily used in quick-service restaurants (QSRs), cafes, retail stores, schools, nursing homes, hotels, small offices, theaters, and healthcare facilities.
8
Country: Israel | Funding: $347.7M
Nostromo Energy has developed the IceBrick water-based energy storage system for installation in buildings and data centers. This compact, modular cold thermal energy storage system uses a 30% glycol, 70% water coolant solution and is suitable for any location, especially unused spaces such as rooftops and basements. At the heart of the IceBrick is a local management system responsible for energy and flow management, communications, sensors, and metering. It manages charging and discharging cycles based on a plan provided by a cloud-based energy storage management platform and sends energy data back to the cloud management system. The system uses AI and machine learning to optimize not only the use of stored energy but also the entire cooling system.
Nostromo Energy has developed the IceBrick water-based energy storage system for installation in buildings and data centers. This compact, modular cold thermal energy storage system uses a 30% glycol, 70% water coolant solution and is suitable for any location, especially unused spaces such as rooftops and basements. At the heart of the IceBrick is a local management system responsible for energy and flow management, communications, sensors, and metering. It manages charging and discharging cycles based on a plan provided by a cloud-based energy storage management platform and sends energy data back to the cloud management system. The system uses AI and machine learning to optimize not only the use of stored energy but also the entire cooling system.
9
Country: USA | Funding: $249.6M
Astrobotic Technology creates first-ever commercial power service for the lunar surface. It will enable space agencies, companies, and nonprofit systems to survive the lunar night and operate indefinitely on the Moon. Delivered to the lunar surface, LunaGrid will deploy its VSAT to begin generating solar power. This power will be distributed via wireless chargers and tethered CubeRovers, bringing VSAT-generated power to surface assets. Each VSAT will include the transformers and power management systems needed to extend power capabilities beyond the VSAT itself and into a fully fledged power grid.
Astrobotic Technology creates first-ever commercial power service for the lunar surface. It will enable space agencies, companies, and nonprofit systems to survive the lunar night and operate indefinitely on the Moon. Delivered to the lunar surface, LunaGrid will deploy its VSAT to begin generating solar power. This power will be distributed via wireless chargers and tethered CubeRovers, bringing VSAT-generated power to surface assets. Each VSAT will include the transformers and power management systems needed to extend power capabilities beyond the VSAT itself and into a fully fledged power grid.
10
Country: Austria | Funding: €2B
Wien Energie is the largest regional energy provider in Austria and a subsidiary of the municipal utility company Wiener Stadtwerke. It supplies homes and businesses in and around Vienna with with environmentally friendly power, cooling, heating, electromobility and telecommunications and a wide range of related services. It's also investing in expanding the use of renewables such as solar, wind and hydro power as well as electromobility.
Wien Energie is the largest regional energy provider in Austria and a subsidiary of the municipal utility company Wiener Stadtwerke. It supplies homes and businesses in and around Vienna with with environmentally friendly power, cooling, heating, electromobility and telecommunications and a wide range of related services. It's also investing in expanding the use of renewables such as solar, wind and hydro power as well as electromobility.
