Top 23 Biofuel startups

Updated: Jan 27, 2026
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These startups develop new technologies to produce algae-based biofuels, cellulosic ethanol, pyrolysis oil, etc from organic industrial and agricultural waste
1
LanzaTech
Country: New Zealand | Funding: $1.3B
By recycling carbon from industrial off-gases; syngas generated from any biomass resource (e.g. municipal solid waste (MSW), organic industrial waste, agricultural waste); and reformed biogas, LanzaTech can reduce emissions and make new products for a circular carbon economy.
2
Enerkem
Country: Canada | Funding: $871.5M
Enerkem is a cleantech company transforming waste into transportation biofuels, renewable chemicals and everyday products.
3
Fulcrum Bioenergy
Country: USA | Funding: $281.2M
Fulcrum Bioenergy converts household garbage into low-carbon transportation fuels, including jet fuel, diesel, and ethanol.
4
LanzaJet
Country: USA | Funding: $277.5M
LanzaTech develops renewable jet fuel
5
Sierra Energy
Country: USA | Funding: $90M
Sierra Energy’s blast furnace heats trash to 4,000 degrees and then harvests the gas to make plastics and fuel.
6
Arbor Energy
Country: USA | Funding: $68.5M
A carbon removal and storage company delivering negative emissions energy. Arbor’s innovative system generates clean electricity transforming plentifully available organic waste—like overgrown brush, crop residues, and food waste—into fuel for an engine.
7
Nexterra
Country: Canada | Funding: $40.8M
Nexterra delivers advanced gasification systems to self-generate clean, low cost heat and power using waste fuels.
8
Woodland Biofuels
Country: Canada | Funding: $33.4M
Woodland Biofuels develops technology ti produce cellulosic ethanol from waste biomass, such as wood chips and agricultural waste.
9
GreenFuel
Country: USA | Funding: $28.8M
GreenFuel Technologies builds algae bioreactor systems, which use recycled CO2 to feed the algae, which is then converted into biofuels; it uses the containers to carefully control the algae’s intake of sunlight and nutrients.
10
Sea6 Energy
Country: India | Funding: $27.4M
Sea6 Energy is a platform that utilizes the unlimited potential of the oceans in a sustainable and ethical way.
11
Pond Technologies
Country: Canada | Funding: $21.1M
Pond captures industrial emissions and grows algae off it. Algae are processed into petroleum derivatives.
12
Evergaz
Country: France
Evergaz, the French and European biogas greentech, and SICAE-OISE, a distributor and electricity supplier present in 185 municipalities.
13
NewCO2Fuels
Country: Israel | Funding: $9M
NCF is developing an innovative, cost competitive, self-sufficient system to produce fuel from CO2 and renewable energy.
14
Kvasir Technologies
Country: Denmark | Funding: €7.7M
Kvasir Technologies has developed a process for converting bio-waste into a fuel which can be used as a supplement, or direct replacement, for fossil fuels in large marine vessels. Crucially, there is no limit to the type of biomass that can be used as a feedstock to produce the biofuel.
15
Inventure Chemical
Country: USA | Funding: $7M
Inventure Chemicals develops an ethanol and biodiesel conversion process by using a variety of raw materials including algae and agribusiness waste.
16
CAPHENIA
Country: Germany | Funding: €5.1M
CAPHENIA is dedicated to producing renewable synthetic fuels through its Power-and-Biogas-to-Liquid (PBtL) process, which converts CO2 and biogas into fuel. This process, powered by renewable energy, aims to reduce carbon emissions by providing an eco-friendly alternative for powering existing engines and propulsion systems.
17
Greenjoules
Country: India | Funding: ₹330M
Greenjoules is a green energy technology startup that specializes in making renewable biofuels.
18
Spero Renewables
Country: USA
Spero Renewables is developing a "green chemistry" technology for converting plant waste into fuel. Unlike traditional biofuel production processes, which focus on cellulose, which can be fermented into ethanol, Spero focuses on lignin - biopolymer that helps trees grow tall and transport water from their roots to their crowns (known for its resistance to degradation). Lignin is typically burned to produce its calorific value during biomass processing, but Spero has found out how to break down lignin into its molecular components and produce biofuels compatible with gasoline and jet fuel, as well as building blocks that can be used in renewable plastics and renewable materials instead of petroleum products. The company has a partnership with energy giant Shell.
19
NULIFE GreenTech
Country: Canada | Funding: $300K
NULIFE GreenTech has created an oxygen reduction catalyst that can unlock the advanced biofuels market and allow governments around the world to meet their clean fuel mandates.
20
Earth Recycler
Country: India
Earth Recycler is a pioneer in providing integrated environmental friendly services, solutions, strongly committed to protecting the environment by improving the communities in which we work and live. Earth Recycler is equipped with a team of professionals who have proven expertise in developing sustainable and cost effective solutions for environmentally concerned clients. Our recycling initiatives are custom designed for various sectors from corporate organizations, educational institutions and residential apartments to the community at large.
21
Pyrotask Energy
Country: India
Pyrotask Energy in converting various types of plastic waste into industrial fuel
22
UNIWASTEC
Country: Switzerland
UNIWASTEC is a technology company that operates in the field of waste-to-energy production, namely Grade 5 green hydrogen directly from wastewater, synthetic gas from municipal or industrial solid waste, and synthetic catalytic fuels from biomass.
23
Terrawaste
Country: Netherlands
Terrawaste uses its proprietary thermochemical conversion technology ‘htloop’ to convert carbon-based waste such as plastic, wood or agricultural waste into a biofuel.
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Alexander Gillet
Editor: Alexander Gillet
Alexander Gillet is a senior editor for EnergyStartups. He has a deep background in energy sector and startups. Alexander graduated from Emlyon Business School, a leading French business school specialized in entrepreneurship. He has helped several non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting environmental education and sustainability and has written over 250 articles on energy technology for various websites. In his free time, Alexander enjoys yoga, camping and exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can contact Alexander at alexgillet(at)energystartups(dot)com