VCs and accelerators for ESG startups: spotlight on sustainability investors

Where can you go for funding for sustainable startups? We’ve compiled a list of investors who share your passion for green innovation and strong ESG principles.

These accelerators and VCs aren’t just about profits; they’re committed to backing businesses that make a positive impact. Whether you’re revolutionising renewable energy or creating eco-friendly products, these investors could be your perfect partners.

ESG accelerators

Amazon Sustainability Accelerator

Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is open to startups who are providing solutions to the climate crisis from the UK, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. In-person sessions take place in London, with the option for virtual sessions as well.

They say…

“We create impactful programmes for entrepreneurs to launch sustainable products, services and technologies. We do this by accelerating start-ups with Amazon and AWS’s expertise and network.

In doing so, the accelerator can also act as a facilitator for Amazon to work with the world’s leading sustainability innovations pioneered by start-ups across the UK and Europe.”

➡️ Apply here

Bethnal Green Ventures

BGV’s Tech for Good programme supports early-stage ventures with £60,000 of investment (for 7% equity).

They say…

“We invest in ambitious early-stage tech for good founders. The journey of all our portfolio ventures starts on our programme. We then help you grow with further support and investment up to Series A.”

➡️ Apply here

Carbon13 – Venture Launchpad

Carbon13 runs three programmes for climate startups. Venture Launchpad supports UK-based founding teams of early-stage software or deeptech/science-based startups.

They say…

“This 20 week programme is about highly bespoke, one-on-one support to make your startup investable and investment ready, and to maximise its potential for emissions reduction and climate impact. You’ll also pitch for investment from Carbon13 of £200,000.

The Venture Launchpad plugs you into an unrivalled ecosystem for climate entrepreneurship that’s already worked with over 650 founders and invested in 71 startups, creating a future decarbonisation potential of 500 million tonnes of CO2e per year.”

➡️ Apply here to Venture Launchpad.

Climate Innovation Platform

Run by the University of Birmingham in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult and with support from HSBC UK, the Climate Innovation Platform provides climate innovators with tailored packages of support to drive the commercialisation of innovative energy products and services.

They say…

“Commencing in 2021 so far, we have supported 67 Climate-focused businesses on their entrepreneurial journey with a range of business development support; including training, funding, 1:1 mentoring, space, access to expertise and more.

We have supported a variety of businesses on the programme, including data insights, heat pumps, measurement challenges, solar, residential decarbonisation, energy platforms, storage and waste solutions, Batteries, EV charging and Vehicles.”

➡️ Applications for their fifth cohort are not yet open. Keep an eye out here.

Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change

Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change supports seed and Series A startups who can demonstrate traction within sustainable technology climate solutions, cleantech and green energy.

They say…

“Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change is a 10-week, equity-free hybrid program for Seed to Series A startups tackling Climate Change with tech. In partnership with Google Cloud and Google Sustainability, the European program helps high-potential startups based in Europe & Israel grow with the best of Google through a mix of in-person and virtual activities, 1: 1 mentoring, and group learning sessions.”

➡️ Apply here – applications for 2024 are now closed, but you can register your interest for the next programme.

NatWest Clean Transport Accelerator

NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator is open to applicants in the UK mobility sector. 

They say…

“Businesses that join our fully funded accelerator, will receive support to fast-track their innovation, access to clean transport experts and equipment, and exclusive 1:1 coaching sessions.”

➡️ Apply here

Startupbootcamp

Startupbootcamp is a global network of industry-specific startup accelerators, each lasting for three months. Previous programmes have focused on Energy and Sustainability, Agritech and Sustainable Fintech. 

They say…

“In our 3-month accelerator, you’ll accomplish what would typically take 2 years on your own. Startups consistently see a 2.5x increase in valuation following the accelerator and, on average, raise €1.5m within 6-12 months of joining us. With SBC, you’ll expand your network, gain access to capital, and sidestep common pitfalls, setting your venture on the fast track to success.”

➡️ Pre-apply here

Tech Nation – Climate 

Tech Nation runs several accelerators, with Tech Nation Climate specifically for climate tech startups working to reduce global emissions, eliminate the world’s waste and restore nature. See the 2024 cohort.

They say…

“We offer world-class advisory support that is curated by successful entrepreneurs, giving our startups direct access to invaluable expertise and knowledge. In addition, we provide our founders with direct connections to investors, multinationals, academics, and policy makers – ensuring they have every opportunity to secure the funding and partnerships they need to succeed.”

➡️ Apply here. You can pre-register for the 2025 programme.

Y Combinator 

Climate tech is an area of focus on Y Combinator’s Request for Startups list, with a callout for companies building in the following sectors: Energy Related, Science Required, Climate Adaptation, Green Fintech, and Carbon Accounting & Offsets.

They say…

“We give startups a huge fundraising advantage. 

YC companies have raised money at 2.5x higher valuation after participating in the program. The median YC company raises $1.3M+ at $14M valuation cap after participating in the program. The top 10% of YC companies raise $1.8M+ at $20M valuation cap after participating in the program”

➡️ Apply here for Winter 2025

2050 Accelerator

Ireland‘s national sustainability accelerator, 2050 is for Irish and international startups that are post-seed and pre-Series A.

They say…

“The 2050 Accelerator gives startups the opportunity to access top expertise in a proven accelerator model. The 2050 Ecosystem connects industry, government, academia, and startups to help solve the nation’s sustainability challenges – together.”

➡️ Apply here

ESG VCs

SFC Capital 

SFC is the UK’s most active early-stage investment firm (480+ deals since 2012, Sifted) and invests in ESG-focused startups as one of their focus areas. They were named Europe’s most active climate tech investor by Sifted.

Investment criteria

• SEIS eligible
• Based in the UK
• Have launched your MVP
• Have sector expertise in your core team

 Notable ESG companies in their portfolio

Halocycle – turning waste plastic back into oil and gas
Petalite – revolutionary charging technology for safer, faster charging
Vertical Future – creating autonomous vertical farms

➡️ Apply here or take the investment criteria quiz here

Boxfund

Boxfund is an early-stage SEIS/EIS fund focused on ESG consumer brand businesses. Investment sizes typically range between £100k and £1M.

Investment criteria

• SEIS/EIS eligible
• Balance profit-making with positive ESG impact
• At early stages of product development through to early commercialisation

Notable ESG companies in their portfolio

Boxpark – pop up malls repurposing containers
Dicky Deans – designing and building luxury shepherd huts
Sticks – corporate training provider specialising in ESG training and team building

➡️ Find out more here

Clean Growth Fund 

Clean Growth Fund supports UK-based clean tech entrepreneurs from a £101M climate venture capital fund. They predominantly invest at seed and Series A stages and their typical ticket sizes sit between £500k and £3M.

Investment criteria

• Low carbon innovator
• UK-based technology
• At seed or Series A stage

Notable ESG companies in their portfolio

Arda Biomaterials – turning waste grain from breweries into a leather alternative
measurable.energy – manufacturing machine-learning power sockets
Vector Photonics – developing low-cost, efficient lasers for use in data centres

➡️ Apply here

Climate VC

Climate VC invests in pre-seed and seed startups, with ticket sizes typically ranging between  £25k – £350k.

Investment criteria

• At pre-seed or seed stage 
• Can demonstrate a clear path to having a 10MtCO2e per year impact 

Notable ESG companies in their portfolio

Global Otec – developing ocean thermal energy conversion
Lenz Labs – improving capacity of rail networks to facilitate shift of freight from road to rail
Treeconomy – high-precision remote sensing and AI systems to quantify the carbon impact of nature restoration projects

➡️ Currently not accepting pitches, check back later 

Desai Ventures 

Desai Ventures is a family office investing sector agnostically in early-stage startups in India (where it is based) and in pre-seed and seed stage climate technology startups internationally.

Investment criteria 

• Based in the US, UK or Europe
• At pre-seed or seed stage
• Developing new climate technology solutions that have potential to reduce carbon emissions at scale

Notable ESG companies in their portfolio

CyanoCapture – carbon-capture through genetically modified cyanobacteria

Ki Hydrogen – produces green hydrogen from waste biomass through electrolysis

Sniffer – detects methane leaks from landfills through drones and geospatial software

➡️ Apply here 

Green Angel Ventures

Green Angel Ventures makes equity investments in early-stage companies solving the challenges of climate change. Typically they invest between £200k and £1.5M. 

Investment criteria

• Evidence that their solution reduces carbon emissions
• EIS-eligible (don’t need to have Advance Assurance in place)
• Plan for exit within 3 – 7 years
• Has MVP up and running (can be pre-revenue)

Notable climate companies in their portfolio

Carbogenics – produces sustainable carbon adsorbents from difficult to recycle organic waste
Mykor – decarbonises the construction industry by manufacturing carbon-negative materials
Rovco – revolutionising subsea surveying using autonomous underwater vehicles and Ai-powered 3D data collection

➡️ Apply here

Octopus Ventures 

Octopus Ventures has a dedicated investment portfolio for climate businesses. At pre-seed, they tend to invest £100k. For seed, Series A and Series B, their investments typically start at £1M.

Investment criteria

• Based in Europe
• The Octopus website specifies they want to talk to people who are great storytellers with a clear vision, focused on solving society’s biggest problems, not just building products
• They look for companies that are working to create a circular economy, decarbonising global energy systems and infrastructure, reducing energy consumption, greening finance, protecting and developing ecosystems, and erasing historical footprint through carbon removal technologies

Notable ESG companies in their portfolio

Foodsteps – providing environmental footprint data and environmental labels for food companies
Minimum – carbon accounting system for businesses looking to reduce their carbon impact
Olio – food sharing app that encourages reducing food waste

➡️ Apply here

Seedcamp

Seedcamp is another large fund with a strong track record in supporting climate and clean technologies. They invest up to $1M in angel to seed rounds, typically as first-cheque investors.

Investment criteria

• Based in Europe and Israel
• Stage: idea through to early revenue
• Preference for software businesses over capital-intensive businesses that require physical products and hardware

Notable ESG companies in their portfolio

Granular Energy – providing software to manage and trade clean energy
Sylvera – building technical infrastructure and verification layer for carbon markets
THIS – leading plant-based meat-alternative manufacturer

➡️ Apply here

Wavelength Ventures

Wavelength backs consumer brands that have a positive impact on people and the planet.

Investment criteria

• Revenue-generating or can show commercial validation
• Clear path to profitability within a realistic 3-5 year forecast, with route to exit
• Strong potential for high-impact both environmentally and economically

Notable ESG companies in their portfolio

Finisterre – fashion brand designing sustainable outerwear
Flexi-Hex – creating sustainable packaging
Tred – green open-banking app that allows users to track the carbon emissions of their transactions

➡️ Apply here

Talk to the funding experts

We work closely with leading VCs including SFC to close funding rounds fast. For support with everything from SEIS/EIS Advance Assurance to guidance on what funding deal terms to agree with investors, our team of funding strategists are here to help. Book a slot below to get started.