Article
GodEl
8 w
•
Here are Sweden's best climate innovations
Startup 4 Climate, the energy transition's response to Shark Tank with SEK 2 million in the prize pool, has gathered no less than 63 nominations and 7,025 public votes for this year's fifth anniversary. Now, the competition's executive group has chosen seven out of eight finalists. We can find everything from circular showers and energy-efficient carbon capture to fossil-free graphite among the competitors. The carbon calculator Climate Hero won the public vote and a spot in the finale.
Jury Startup 4 Climate, from the left: Johan Lindehag, Johanna Mossberg, Jane Walerud, Lina Bertling Tjernberg and Stefan Krook
The eight finalists proceed to the final round on November 14th, where they will pitch in front of the jury. The jury consists of Johanna Mossberg, department manager at the Swedish Energy Agency, the business angel Jane Walerud, professor Lina Bertling Tjernberg, Stefan Krook who is the founder of GodEl and Kivra, as well as Johan Lindehag, CEO of Ellevio.
"The mission of the competition, to accelerate the energy transition, feels even more important in a time where the green market has hit some speed bumps in its development. We have an extremely strong line up this year, where synergies between innovation, entrepreneurship, and public interest pave the way for both future successful exports and climate benefits," says Johan Lindehag, CEO of Ellevio and jury member.
"We have seen an exciting mix of nominations with a significant diversity this year. Many applicants have had business ideas connected to the electrification of transports, energy storage, and more efficient power grid usage, but we have also seen applicants at a deep technical level within material chemistry, genetic modification, recycling, and consumer-adjacent services," says Linda Krondahl, CEO of the innovation hub THINGS and member of the Startup 4 Climate executive group.
2024 finalists:
AirZyme has developed a biocatalyst that accelerates the capture of carbon dioxide while requiring less energy than existing processes. This reduces energy use, emissions, and operating costs for carbon storage.
Hagnesia has developed a new wind power generator that reduces the need for copper and magnets by 90% and the weight of a 15MW generator from 300 tonnes to 30 tonnes. The innovation can make wind power significantly cheaper and more efficient, which is crucial for a faster global transition to renewable energy.
Graphite is the largest component in batteries for electric vehicles and is also required for the production of green steel. NBG is the first producer of larger volumes of fossil-free graphite from bio-based materials. The graphite can be produced at competitive prices while CO2 emissions are significantly reduced compared to current solutions and the energy demand is reduced through patentable new technology.
Rebaba builds battery storage systems by reusing spent batteries from electric vehicles, for example for short-time storage of renewable energy, load balancing in the power grid, and energy optimization in buildings. By combining high-quality cells from recycled batteries from electric vehicles with their technology, Rebaba creates systems that prolong the lifetime of the batteries.
Mama Växtkraft wants to increase the energy efficiency of the heating of buildings by using local resources, mostly wood chips, for district heating production. The project is built on a circular system where local communities collaborate to provide materials and reduce the dependence on imported resources and long transports. The company has already established a solution in Skurup and sees the potential to scale up the model to more municipalities through a franchise concept.
Emission Twin has developed a digital twin that helps companies not only report their emissions but also reduce them and reach their climate goals. By simulating energy mixes and developing emission reduction plans, companies can make informed decisions. The tool focuses on going further than reporting, instead prioritizing concrete climate actions, which provides valuable support in the company's climate work.
EvoShower is a circular shower with a patented system with double loops which saves up to 90% of the water and energy usage. The shower can be used independently of infrastructure and is easily installed in bathrooms without professional help – it is simple, time-efficient, and cost-efficient, and can be powered by solar cells in areas off the water and power grids.
ClimateHero allows households and small enterprises to calculate their environmental footprint, commit to reducing their carbon emissions, and thereby contribute to solving the climate crisis. By answering a few simple questions about how you live, travel, and consume, the company helps individuals and companies understand their carbon footprint and advises on how it can be reduced. Winner of the Public Vote.
About Startup 4 Climate
- Startup 4 Climate was founded and is managed by Ellevio and GodEl, in collaboration with the innovation hub THINGS and We Don't Have Time.
- The competition was founded to accelerate the energy transition. The first edition was conducted in 2020.
- The best ideas with the biggest measurable climate impact win, and the prize pool contains SEK 2 million, coaching hours from a select jury member, and 1 year of membership in THINGS.
- Previous winners are the success story Flower with virtual power plants, Ligna Energy with batteries made of wood, Cemvisions fossil-free cement, Novige with wave, wind, and solar power in one, NitroCapts fossil-free fertilizer, Helios Innovations' energy-efficient vaporization, Enjays waste heat recycling, and Peafowls transparent solar cells.
About GodEl
GodEl is Sweden's eighth-largest electricity company. Since its foundation in 2005 we have driven the change towards a fair electricity market for the customer, the environment, and the world. The electricity is marked with the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation's environmental certification "Bra Miljöval" and the agreements are variable. We have the most satisfied private customers in Sweden according to the Swedish Quality Index SKI, and the highest regard in the sector according to Kantar Public. We are owned by the Swedish foundation GoodCause, whose only goal is to found companies and let the profits go to charitable causes. So far, GodEl has generated SEK 74 million for charity. We are an instruction provider to Ellevio.
Re-watch all our COP29 broadcasts
We need to stop methane and #BuyMoreTime
Yes, we make a difference!
Businesses and leaders will listen and reply on We Don't Have Time
The Climate Action App
We plant a tree for every new user
Welcome, let's solve the climate crisis together
Write or agree to climate reviews to make businesses and world leaders act. It’s easy and it works.
•
•
•
6 w
Exciting innovations from Sweden’s Startup 4 Climate competition! From carbon capture to water-saving showers, these finalists are driving sustainable solutions. Let’s support their efforts for a greener future! Good luck all.
•
•
•
7 w
We're so happy we won the People's Vote and get to pitch amongst these amazing start ups!
•
•
8 w
Good drive💯💯
•
•
8 w
So encouraging and hopeful to read about these new green solution providers!