Just as the global climate crisis was beginning to capture the world’s attention, the Covid-19 crisis arrived with other ideas.

But as the world starts to return to a new kind of normal, European politicians say they’re committed to an economic recovery with our planet’s health in mind.

Back in March, the European Union announced its first dedicated funding instrument for “Green Deal” startups, via the European Innovation Council (EIC).

With €300m available to invest, it’s the largest ever funding round from the EIC, and now 64 companies have been selected for funding.

Innovative businesses that could prove they address at least one of the EU’s eight “Green New Deal” goals (pictured below), will be eligible for grants of up to €2.5m and equity investments of up to €15m.

All of the companies chosen for EIC funding have got huge potential to help support a greener, more responsible recovery (full list below), but we’ve picked out a handful of eye-catching startups working in different sectors and countries, to give you a bit more information.

Solar power – Brite Solar (Greece)

Solar panels are great, but one problem with them has always been the limited locations where they can be installed. Greek startup Brite Solar produces solar-energy-generating glass that allows 80% of light to pass through, making it suitable for use in places like greenhouses, homes and office buildings, while also producing green energy.

Plastics – Cellugy (Denmark)

Plastic pollution became one of the most high-profile global environmental concerns, after the so-called “Blue Planet Effect” drew attention to our worrying over-reliance on non-biodegradable packaging. Danish company Cellugy is producing a plastic replacement material, made from vegetable waste, that is both digestible for animals and fully biodegradable.

Ecology – Vatorex (Switzerland)

Bees are some of nature’s most important creatures, responsible for pollinating the plants that keep our planet healthy. But bee populations around the world are in decline, and one of their biggest threats is the varroa mite, a parasitic insect that feeds on honeybees. Swiss startup Vatorex produces heating elements for beekeepers which kill 95% of varroa mites in a clean, chemical-free way.

Aviation – VoltAero (France)

Covid-19 may have seen much of the world’s air travel grind to a halt, but when the world does start opening back up to international travel, green alternatives to jet airplane travel will be more important than ever. French company VoltAero is developing a hybrid aircraft, that combines electric and combustion engines, for lower carbon flying. While they’re currently working on a small, nine-seater plane, industry giant Airbus has said they’re hoping to develop a hybrid passenger jet, showing the excitement for this alternative propulsion method.

Biotechnology – Glowee (France)

French startup Glowee makes use of bioluminescence to produce sustainable lighting solutions that could be used in public spaces, for signage and accessibility information. It’s a futuristic repurposing of the naturally occurring light-emitting property found in glow worms and fireflies, and we’d love to see this electricity-free solution lighting up our streets. 

Water pollution – Waste Shark (Netherlands)

As our oceans and rivers become increasingly clogged up with plastic pollution, Dutch startup Waste Shark is trying to clean up our act. It says it has produced the world’s first autonomous drone designed to remove pollutant material from our urban, harbour and delta waters. Think Roomba, but for the environment.

The Full List

AUSTRIA

AVILOO – Battery testing for electric vehicles

Livin Farms – Insect farms for homes, schools and professional use

BELGIUM

B4Plastics – Biodegradable plastics

Greater Than – AI-powered data analysis for driving accident prediction

DENMARK

Cysbio – Biotech company producing chemicals for animal feed, food and pharma

Re-Match – CO2 saving resin production from recycled plastics 

CemGreen – Environmentally friendly cement additives

ESTONIA

BiotaTec – Energy efficient mining and metal extraction using microorganisms

FRANCE

Cascade – A photosynthesis solution that enables crops to be grown more sustainably

Outsight – Semantic cameras for autonomous vehicles and smart cities

HySiLabs – Safe and effective delivery solutions for hydrogen

Heyday Integrated Circuits – Improving the efficiency of gate drivers in motor appliances through silicon technology

Altar – Developing novel microorganisms to fulfil specific industrial needs

Limatech – Clean energy lithium batteries for hybrid or electrically-powered aircrafts 

ROSI – Innovative system for recycling of raw materials from solar panels

ALTAROAD – Reducing the environmental impact of demolition through data connectivity and AI

Wattalps – Modular, long-life lithium batteries for heavy machinery

GERMANY

Bind-X – Biotech converting dust to rock, can be used as energy efficient weed control for farmers

Electrochaea – Converting unused electricity into biogas fuel

DyeMansion – Environmentally friendly plastic dyeing

Skeleton Technologies – Ultracapacitors for e-vehicles and grid energy

MOTEG – Produces electric drive motors for e-vehicles

ICELAND

ORF Genetics – Biotech company developing genetic growth solutions for lab-cultured meat

Greenvolt – Applying nanotechnology to battery technology for longer-lasting power

IRELAND

NVP Energy – Converting municipal wastewater into renewable biogas

GlasPort Bio – Technology to eliminate greenhouse gases from manures

ISRAEL

Senecio – AI-powered robots to aid mosquito sterilisation programmes

ITALY

Tecno – Pollution free tile glazing technology

Prima Industries – Energy and water efficient wine bottle polishing

TomaPaint – Non-pollutant and sustainable lacquers for food cans

NETHERLANDS

TUSTI – Innovative washing process for the recycling of dirty and greasy plastics

NORWAY

OTECHOS – Technology for carbon and energy saving gas compression

Alginor – Seaweed harvesting technology minimising seafloor damage

Evoy – Patented electric propulsion system for small boats

Innomar – Smart fish traps for sustainable fishing

N2 Applied – Nitrogen recycling for agricultural fertilisers 

Wavefoil – Hydrofoil for ship stabilisation providing maritime energy savings

ONiO – Energy harvesting technology for Internet of Things battery alternatives

POLAND

Syntoil – Minimising air pollutants from rubber tyre manufacturing processes

UVera – Sustainable and non-toxic UV protection skin products

PORTUGAL

Ecofoot – Technology that reduces water, energy and pollutants in textile dyeing

ROMANIA

Svelte – Energy efficient production of curved surfaces for architecture projects

SLOVAKIA

Sensoneo – Cost efficient waste management for cities and businesses

SLOVENIA

PlanetCare – Microfibre filter for washing machines to catch microplastics

MyCol – Temperature-sensitive printing inks for storage of cold produce

SPAIN

BERIDI – Builds floating foundation platforms for deep water wind turbines

Photonicsens – Depth sensing optical technology with CO2 saving semiconductors

Unblur – Data processing for first responders in emergency situations

NGRT – Real-time rail infrastructure monitoring using vibration detection 

SWEDEN

Enerpoly – Large-scale energy storage batteries using zinc-ion technology

Mimbly – Attachable device for washing machines to capture microplastic waste

Heart Aerospace – Energy efficient drivetrains for electric aircraft 

SWITZERLAND 

UniSieve – Molecular purification technology

TreaTech – Converts sewage waste into biogas, clean water and fertilisers

Nanogence – Energy efficient cement manufacturing

UKRAINE

Pipes.One – Polymer pipe manufacturing inside mobile vehicles

UNITED KINGDOM

Impact Plastic Processing – Pigment and additive remover for plastic recycling

Deep Branch Biotechnology – Gas fermentation converting industrial emissions into animal nutrition