Green Entrepreneur Trend #2 2024
Not every green start-up has a technical fix for climate change. While many focus on transforming industries like fashion, this year we’ve seen an inspiring influx of applications centred around raising awareness, education, and empowering individuals to take action themselves.
The thing is, how can people adopt sustainable habits if they don’t know what sustainable behaviour looks like? And how can we cultivate the next generation of climate-conscious engineers without proper education in their home countries? Many of this year’s entries in the ClimateLaunchpad competition are tackling these crucial questions head-on.
3 Key Segments These Start-Ups Are Targeting
1. Education on environmental impact for children (and adults)
A significant number of start-ups this year are dedicated to providing affordable education that focuses on sustainability and climate change. This can range from classroom lessons to innovative approaches like educational board games.
Moreover, we’re also seeing initiatives aimed at adult education. These efforts are designed not only to encourage behavioural change but also to train the technicians needed to build solar and wind energy infrastructure. Without these skilled professionals, achieving energy transitions in certain countries could be a real challenge.
- Empowering people to understand what is (and isn’t) sustainable
Many people want to live sustainably but struggle to navigate the complexities. This is where start-ups focusing on clarity and transparency come in. Numerous platforms are dedicated to helping individuals make their homes more energy-efficient, offering advice and pinpointing the most effective energy-saving measures.
Some entrepreneurs are also working to shed light on the production processes behind products, aiming to combat greenwashing. Meanwhile, other apps reward everyday people for sustainable actions through social and financial incentives.
- DIY Sustainability
Making sustainable living easier is the goal of several start-ups offering practical solutions for the home. Many ideas revolve around urban gardening—think smart beehives, portable composters, and systems to help you grow your own vegetables and even fish(!). Not into gardening but still want to contribute? There’s a CO2-capturing device for home use that could be just the thing.
Awareness is key, even beyond education-focused start-ups
Interestingly, we’re seeing that many business plans from start-ups not primarily focused on education or awareness still include these elements as secondary goals. This is encouraging because, while it may seem like just a drop in the ocean, your awareness and contribution to a better world are incredibly valuable.
Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight the incredible innovations coming out of this year’s submissions.
