Green Giants in the Making: Top 10 Early-Stage Sustainability Startups of France (2024)

French Sustainability Startups: Solving Environmental Challenges with Cutting-Edge Solutions

Sustainability has emerged as a leading area in innovation, gaining significant attention both locally and overseas. This surge in interest is evident in the significant funding allocated through the France 2030 plan, which goes beyond just decarbonization efforts. Green technology startups are becoming a magnet for investors, fueled by their innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges.

The French sustainability companies/startups are adeptly blending cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices. Their areas of focus are diverse, encompassing:

• Renewable Energy: Pioneering advancements in solar, wind, and other forms of clean energy generation.
• Circular Economy: Developing innovative systems to minimize waste and maximize resource recovery, promoting a closed-loop approach.
• Decarbonized Mobility: Spearheading the creation of sustainable transportation solutions, like electric vehicles and improved public transport infrastructure, to reduce carbon emissions.

There are numerous sectors akin to the few mentioned above where startups concentrate on a wide range of sustainability issues, such as climate adaptation, resource management, and green building technologies, etc. French startups in sustainability are not merely tackling issues; they are paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Investing in Green: The Rising Stars of French Sustainable Tech

A recent analysis of data from the Zefyron Startup database shows a significant rise in funding for early stage French sustainability startups over the past five years. Total funding jumped nearly fourfold, from $2.3 billion in 2019 to almost $9 billion in 2024. Early stage funding mirrored this trend, rising from $2.3 billion in 2019 to a peak of over $950 million in 2021. However, there is a dip in early stage funding in 2024, reaching $4 million till date. It's worth noting that this data only reflects publicly announced funding rounds, and the actual figures could be even higher.

French Innovation for a Sustainable Future: Unveiling the Top 10 Eco-Pioneers

Top 10 French Early-Stage Sustainability Startups to Watch in 2024 :

• 1. 1. Tri’n’collect - Managing and recycling construction waste.

     

     • Headquarters - Nantes, Pays de la Loire, France
     • Founders - Quentin Charoy,Olivier HUMEAU and Edouard LEFEVRE.
     • Establishment year - 2019
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 9.9M
     • Investor/s - HSBC, Bpifrance, BNP Paribas, Banque des Territoires, Colam Impact
  2. Tri'n'Collect specializes in managing and recycling construction waste, addressing the industry's significant contribution to global waste generation. Their services reduce environmental impact by minimizing landfill waste, conserving natural resources, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions through the reuse of materials like concrete, wood, metal, and plastic.

  1. 2. Pyxo - Promoting reusable business solutions

     

     • Headquarters - Paris, Ile-de-France, France
     • Founders - Benjamin Peri, François des Beauvais
     • Establishment year - 2018
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 7.8M
     • Investor/s - Eurazeo, Five Seasons Ventures, Evolem Start, AFI Ventures
  2. Pyxo specializes in integrating reuse into business operations with reusable containers and collectors. They support pilot implementations, deployment, and offer dedicated customer service. By promoting reusable solutions, Pyxo aids businesses in boosting profitability while reducing waste, supporting sustainability, and advancing the circular economy.

  1. 3. H2Gremm - Innovating sustainable hydrogen energy.

     

     • Headquarters - Édern, Bretagne, France
     • Founders - Alain Rocheux,Olivier Le Strat
     • Establishment year - 2019
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 7.7M
     • Investor/s - Unexo, Dols finances, AGH Consulting, Box Invest
  2. H2Gremm is revolutionizing the future of energy with its sustainable hydrogen-based solutions for mobility and building energy autonomy. Their innovative micro-stations feature the first 450-bar hydrogen compressor without mechanical movement, ensuring silent and efficient hydrogen production, compression, and distribution. Committed to sustainability and innovation, H2Gremm caters to eco-friendly mobility and infrastructure energy independence needs.

  1. 4. Circul'Egg - Recycling eggshells for eco-products.

     

     • Headquarters - Paris, Ile-de-France, France
     • Founders - Yacine Kabeche
     • Establishment year - 2019
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 6.3M
     • Investor/s - Bpifrance, AGORANOV, Asterion Ventures, Ademe, AGENCE79
  2. Circul'Egg is a sustainable company that recycles eggshells from its factory to produce calcium carbonate powder and shell membrane powder. These eco-friendly products are marketed in the animal feed and nutraceutical industries, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.

  1. 5. ERS - Ecosystem Restoration Standard - Empowering land restoration globally.

     

     • Headquarters - Paris, Ile-de-France, France
     • Founders - Thibault Sorret, Priscille Raynaud
     • Establishment year - 2020
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 5.9M
     • Investor/s - Nadav Ben-Chanoch, Jon Oringer, Pareto Holdings, Purple, RAISE
  2. Ers.org is dedicated to combating environmental degradation by empowering people and organizations to restore degraded lands. They certify ecosystem restoration projects, securing resources to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity, and enhance livelihoods for over three billion people affected by ecological decline worldwide.

  1. 6. EQUIUM - Efficient, eco-friendly residential heating solutions.

     

     • Headquarters - Nantes, Pays de la Loire, France
     • Founders - Cedric FRANCOIS
     • Establishment year - 2017
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 5.4M
     • Investor/s - Bpifrance
  2. EQUIUM has developed an innovative acoustic heating system for residential use that offers efficient heating and hot water solutions. This system is easy to install and operate, comparable in efficiency to traditional heat pumps. With an extended lifespan, zero maintenance, zero greenhouse gas emissions, and superior user comfort, it boasts the best total cost of ownership in the market.

  1. 7. HelioRec - Revolutionizing the Hydro-lock process for clean energy.

     

     • Headquarters - Nantes, France
     • Founders - Polina Vasilenko
     • Establishment year - 2019
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 2.6M
     • Investor/s - Techstars, Sunly, First Imagine! Ventures
  2. HelioRec repurposes idle water areas into hubs for generating clean energy. Its power plants feature an innovative stabilization process called "hydro-lock," integrated into the floats. By employing recycled plastic for the floating system, HelioRec aims to diminish its carbon footprint. Additionally, the company utilizes ML algorithms to forecast energy production and streamline operations and maintenance, further enhancing efficiency. This approach not only reduces device costs but also contributes to environmental sustainability.

  1. 8. BeeToGreen - Promoting sustainable bike commuting.

     

     • Headquarters - Levallois-perret, Ile-de-France, France
     • Founders- Adrien Martin, Antoine du Teilleul
     • Establishment year - 2020
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 1.7M
     • Investor/s - Bpifrance, Tudigo, France Active
  2. BeeToGreen partners with companies to promote sustainable mobility by offering "Le Pass’ Vélo", an alternative to transport ticket reimbursements, facilitating affordable access to bicycles for employees. With a wide selection of 300 bicycle brands for purchase or rental across France, they aim to reduce CO2 emissions, increase bicycle commuting to 10%, and enhance employee well-being and corporate culture.

  1. 9. FINGREEN AI - Simplifying ESG analytics with AI.

     

     • Headquarters - Paris, Ile-de-France, France
     • Founders - LOUIS FRANK, Sebastien Peterson, Nick Inge.
     • Establishment year - 2022
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 1.1M
     • Investor/s - Plug and Play, BlackWood Ventures, Habert Dassault Finance
  2. FINGREEN AI pioneers AI-native ESG analytics and reporting, simplifying impact measurement for businesses of all sizes. With an open-sourced methodology, it offers transparent and traceable solutions, eliminating greenwashing risks. Their automated, affordable platform aligns private assets with global ESG frameworks like SFDR, CSRD, ISSB, and GHG, enabling effective ESG project management.

  1. 10. Kumulus Water - Solar-powered water from air.

     

     • Headquarters - Saint-mandé, Ile-de-France, France
     • Founders - Iheb Triki, Mohamed Abid
     • Establishment year - 2021
     • Funding(in USD) - $ 1.1M
     • Investor/s - Techstars, Flat6Labs, Bpifrance, WILCO, Kalys Ventures
  2. Kumulus is a pioneering water utility company focused on sustainable solutions for clean drinking water. Specializing in Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) powered by solar energy, Kumulus designs compact, autonomous machines that harness air humidity to produce 20-30 liters of potable water daily. Their smart technology enables remote control and ensures efficient, eco-friendly water delivery.

Supporting a Greener Future: Why You Should Watch These French Eco-Innovators

Watching French eco-innovators offers a glimpse into the future of sustainable practices. These innovators are pioneering solutions to pressing environmental challenges, from renewable energy to waste management. By supporting them, You can gain insights into cutting-edge technologies and initiatives aimed at reducing carbon footprints, conserving resources, and promoting biodiversity. Their innovations often signal broader shifts in environmental policy and consumer behavior, offering valuable indicators for businesses and policymakers alike.These initiatives not only benefit the environment but also foster economic growth and societal well-being.

To explore further insights into such trends and emerging startups, visit Zefyron