Up and Coming Startups for 2022

Hot on the heels of COP26, the historic summer heat wave across Europe, and spiraling energy costs following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the imperative for consumers and businesses to become more environmentally sustainable continues to accelerate.

For small businesses, 2022 has been the year where sustainability has become as much a story about the future of their business - heating, water, waste, and keeping the lights on - as it is about the environment.

Sustainability is one of the biggest growth sectors for startups, with demand from investors for innovative business models that support the small business community, while trying to shift the needle on net-zero targets.

Here are five that have caught our eye:

Sylvera

Sylvera helps businesses choose the right carbon credits solution for them.

Sylvera has created what they describe as the first ‘carbon intelligence platform’. In a nutshell, the platform helps business owners understand whether the carbon offset they are investing in is right for them, their business, and the environment at large.

Sylvera has combined proprietary machine learning tech with existing data streams to bring transparency to an increasingly complex marketplace, where many businesses are trying to do the right thing for the environment but struggle to find the right solution.

Whilst off-set is not a long-term solution for carbon zero, for many businesses without control of their supply chain it enables them to make an immediate change and start that journey.

Alpha 311

Alpha 311 is a Kent-based startup focused on localised renewable energy production.

Wind-generated energy is a leading alternative to fossil fuels but has a high barrier to entry with space and equipment needed. Alpha 311 have created small, vertical axis turbines that can be built into existing infrastructure and located in spaces that enable small business and consumers to have access to green and cost-efficient energy.

The company's turbines can be built into lampposts, bridges, railways, and road signs. Any location that has an existing airstream is an ideal location for their equipment.

According to the company, just one turbine can generate as much power as 24 solar panels. They are targeting hospitals, schools, and small business premises with their tech to enable them to generate sustainable, clean, and cost-efficient energy.

London’s O2 Arena is the first venue in the world to trial their turbines.

Beworm

Launched in 2020, Beworm is using the power of nature to try and tackle the growing challenge of plastic waste.

With the UN estimating that 400m tonnes of plastic waste is generated each year - and growing - Beworm has created a recycling process that utilises plastic-eating worms.

These worms break down the polyethylene contained in many plastics and turn it into other chemicals that can be reused to produce new materials.

The company is looking at how to scale this approach, utilising and reproducing the enzymes required - rather than worms themselves! - to be used in new recycling plants, alongside existing mechanical approaches, and ultimately to replace harmful practices such as burning or burying waste.

Petgood

The global pet food market is estimated to be worth around $100bn a year. With a heavy meat component, pet food is estimated to account for 25% of total meat consumption - and with the food system as a whole contributing 25% of global emissions, this is a sector where change can have a big impact.

Swedish start-up Petgood has developed alternative pet food utilising insect-based protein to replace meat proteins. Insect protein is more resource-efficient than other animal proteins - Petgood’s approach reduces CO2 emissions by 94% compared to meat. The company also produces all its products in Europe to reduce its transport footprint, as well as only using recycled materials in packaging.

The food also has benefits for pets, with all food produced being hypoallergenic, free from growth hormones and antibiotics often found in the meat production chain.

The company received additional funding in early 2022 to begin global expansion, moving initially from Europe to Australia.

Zellar

London-based Zellar is a SaaS platform that enables SMEs to measure and improve their sustainability.

Zellar’s platform was created to make understanding sustainability simple for small businesses. The software enables users to score their current sustainability credentials and create an action plan to progressively improve this over time.

Through their platform marketplace, Zellar brings together a host of partners that enable businesses to advance their sustainability - through the purchase of green tech, use of certified offset projects, involvement in volunteering programs and moving to cost-effective green energy solutions.

Based on an annual or monthly subscription fee to use the platform, the marketplace remains commission-free, and partners with leading groups such as Wildlife Trust, RSPB, SSE Energy Solutions, and The Co-operative Bank.