Top 7 Hydropower startups

Updated: Apr 27, 2026
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These startups develop new technologies for hydroelectric dams or making energy from river currents.
1
Natel Energy
Country: USA | Funding: $96.2M
Natel Energy develops and produces hydraulic turbines FishSafe that improve fish passage, modernize existing power plants and ensure reliable megawatts of grid power. The company uses computer modeling and scale model testing before integrating turbine into existing hydropower plant. It's collaborating with leading turbine manufacturers to implement its designs in hydropower projects worldwide. FishSafe turbines feature thick, forward-curved blades. They ensure 98-100% fish survival rate when passing through them, minimize wear from sediment, extend service life, save money on blade repairs and increase plant productivity by up to 10% by preventing flow losses in bypasses and pressure losses in fine mesh.
2
Emrgy
Country: USA | Funding: $67.6M
Emrgy is a transformational technology company that is redefining hydropower to remain the world’s most reliable, continuous, and cost-effective renewable energy resource in an energy economy shifting to distributed, intermittent renewables.
3
Gravity Renewables
Country: USA | Funding: $14.7M
Gravity Renewables is an owner, operator, and developer of small hydroelectric power plants in the United States. Gravity Renewables brings long-term, cost-effective clean energy to electricity consumers, helps conserve and restore historical sites, and promotes educational and recreational opportunities in the communities it serves.
4
Verdant Power
Country: USA | Funding: $4.5M
Verdant Power systems generate clean energy from the currents of tides, rivers, and canals.
5
Smart Hydro Power
Country: Germany | Funding: €2.8M
Smart Hydro Power is a Germany-based company that develops, manufactures, sells, and markets kinetic micro-hydro power plants.
6
Hydro Green Energy
Country: USA
Hydro Green Energy (HGE) is a hydropower project development company that fabricate, install and operate a grid-connected hydrokinetic (zero-head) power projects
7
Turbulent
Country: Belgium | Funding: A$75K
Turbulent develops resilient, cost-efficient turbines designed for rivers with minimal height differences.
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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