A wave of next-generation climate tech startups unveiled breakthrough solutions in electrification, energy storage, sustainable construction, and plastic circularity at Sustainable Innovation Day 2025, hosted at UC Berkeley Haas by the Sustainable Innovation Council. The event gathered venture capitalists, corporate leaders, and researchers to explore real-world pathways to decarbonization and climate resilience.
“These teams are moving beyond vision—they’re executing real-world climate solutions,” said Julia Daviy Berezovska, President of Sustainable Innovation Council. “We created this platform to catalyze deployment and investment in critical technologies where urgency meets opportunity.”
Seven companies pitched in the main track, which emphasized near-term scalability and measurable environmental impact:
Pando Electric – EV charging and energy optimization platform for multifamily properties, designed to ease grid integration.
Sunchem – Nano-filter technology to recover critical metals like lithium and cobalt from battery and e-waste streams.
Universal Fuel Technologies – Flexiforming process to catalytically produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable gasoline, and bio-based chemicals.
ChargeMate – AI-driven platform to boost EV charger uptime and profitability by optimizing site selection and utilization.
ThermoShade – Passive cooling panels that reduce outdoor temperatures by up to 20°F, with zero energy input.
BioTwin – Hemp-based structural building components for carbon-negative construction, starting with wall studs.
GVP Italy – Advanced composite tanks for large-scale storage and transportation of hydrogen, CO₂, and methane.
Finalists from SICouncil’s One-Day Incubator delivered new approaches in materials, food systems, and clean tech:
Kinetix – Flywheel energy storage system with 10x energy density and 90% cost reduction, targeting industrial and grid applications.
Rhea’s Factory – AI-generated enzymes engineered to recycle plastics that traditional systems can’t break down.
Relumi Packaging – Plastic-free pill bottles made from recycled aluminum, reducing pharmaceutical packaging waste.
Pollentia – High-efficiency electric boats with recyclable hull design and smart energy control.
HydroVoila – Non-invasive hydration diagnostics based on saliva testing, addressing elder care and health monitoring.
unClassic – Food innovation startup converting regenerative mushrooms into a high-protein meat alternative.
The Cold Brew Project – Naturally sweet, zero-sugar cold brew coffee developed for sustainable workplace consumption.
Fourteen startups, chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, pitched innovations designed for immediate deployment and measurable impact. Investor panels from BMW i Ventures, Alante Capital, At One Ventures, and more evaluated the pitches, spotlighting technologies that merge urgency with opportunity.
Startups introduced platforms to optimize EV charging in multifamily buildings, nano-filtration systems to reclaim lithium and cobalt from e-waste, and catalytic methods to produce sustainable fuels and bio-based chemicals. Other ventures showcased passive cooling systems, carbon-negative construction materials, and high-capacity composite tanks for storing hydrogen and CO₂.
Participants in the SICouncil’s One-Day Incubator presented bold ideas in clean tech, material science, and health diagnostics. These included AI-designed enzymes for recycling hard-to-break-down plastics, aluminum-based pill packaging to eliminate plastic waste, flywheel energy systems offering tenfold energy density, and recyclable electric boats. Also highlighted were high-protein meat alternatives derived from regenerative mushrooms and saliva-based hydration diagnostics for elder care.
The day emphasized collaboration across sectors and geographies, with a focus on moving beyond prototypes to scalable climate solutions. Several startups are initiating new fundraising efforts, supported by the Council’s investor network. SICouncil President Julia Daviy Berezovska emphasized the importance of accelerating deployment, noting that promising technologies must move swiftly from labs to real-world application. Building on the success of the event, SICouncil plans to launch the World Sustainable Innovation Convention later this year, expanding the conversation to a global stage.
Baburajan Kizhakedath