ClimateTech & Sustainability Startups: Germany, Austria & Switzerland
- Jörn Menninger
- Mar 10
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Climate technology has become the largest venture capital category in several European markets, driven by regulatory pressure, corporate decarbonization demand, and the aftermath of the 2022 energy crisis. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland each bring distinct capabilities — Germany with industrial-scale energy transition, Switzerland with deep-tech carbon removal, and Austria with green building and circular economy innovation.
In Short
Executive Summary
German cleantech companies raised EUR 1.8 billion in investment in 2024, with the country leading Europe at EUR 832 million in climate fintech funding. Germany achieved 59% renewable electricity in 2024, up from 6% in 2000, and targets 80% by 2030. Switzerland hosts two climate tech unicorns — Climeworks in direct air capture and Energy Vault in gravity-based storage — while ETH Zurich and EPFL maintain roughly 150 energy-related research groups. Austria's green tech startup ecosystem grew to 215 companies by 2025, a 71% expansion over two years. This page provides a structural overview of these three markets as part of the Startuprad.io Knowledge Center.
Key Takeaways
Germany raised EUR 1.8 billion in cleantech investment in 2024 and targets 80% renewable electricity by 2030
Sunfire secured EUR 500 million in Series E funding for solid-oxide electrolyser technology, the largest European climate tech round
Switzerland hosts two climate tech unicorns: Climeworks (direct air capture) and Energy Vault (gravity-based energy storage)
Austria's green tech ecosystem grew 71% over two years to 215 companies by 2025
The 2022 energy crisis accelerated renewable energy expansion and shifted investment toward energy security and industrial decarbonization
Berlin and Munich serve as primary German climate tech hubs, with Berlin hosting over 2,000 cleantech startups
ClimateTech in Germany
Germany's Energiewende — the national energy transition — provides the policy framework for the country's climate tech sector. The target is 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2035, with carbon neutrality by 2045. Germany achieved 59% renewable electricity in 2024, up from 6% in 2000. Major German climate tech companies have reached significant scale: Sunfire secured EUR 500 million in Series E funding for solid-oxide electrolyser technology, 1KOMMA5° has raised over EUR 400 million to consolidate residential solar and energy management, and Enpal operates Germany's largest residential solar platform. Berlin and Munich serve as the primary hubs, with Berlin hosting over 2,000 cleantech startups. Corporate decarbonization software is a growing subsector, with companies like Plan A providing SaaS-based carbon accounting.
ClimateTech in Switzerland
Switzerland hosts two climate tech unicorns. Climeworks, based in Zurich, is the global leader in direct air capture technology and operates commercial-scale CO2 removal facilities. Energy Vault developed a gravity-based energy storage system using composite blocks. ETH Zurich and EPFL together maintain approximately 150 research groups in energy and environmental technology, making Switzerland a hub for deep-tech climate innovation. Swiss climate tech financing included 70 rounds in 2024, with total investment reaching CHF 1.2 billion. The circular economy is active at smaller scale, with startups like Kuori in Basel developing sustainable packaging from fruit waste.
ClimateTech in Austria
Austria's green tech startup ecosystem grew to 215 companies in 2025, a 71% expansion over two years. Government and institutional support comes through multiple channels: the aws (Austria Wirtschaftsservice) provides grants and guarantees, the Climate and Energy Fund backs research and demonstration projects, and the FFG supports applied R&D. Notable Austrian startups include Refurbed, which secured EUR 45.88 million in Series C for refurbished electronics, and Gropyus, which applies automated construction methods to energy-efficient building. Austria's strengths concentrate in green building technology, sustainable materials, and energy efficiency for industrial applications.
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Not Covered on This Page
Individual company profiles or investment recommendations
Detailed regulatory compliance guides for specific EU directives
Fundraising tutorials or cap table mechanics for climate startups
Technical engineering specifications for energy systems
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this page cover?
This page provides a structural overview of climate technology, energy transition, and sustainability startups across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It covers venture capital activity, major companies, government support programs, and research infrastructure in each country as part of the Startuprad.io Knowledge Center.
How large is the DACH climate tech market?
Germany alone raised EUR 1.8 billion in cleantech investment in 2024. Switzerland recorded 70 climate tech financing rounds totaling CHF 1.2 billion. Austria grew its green tech startup ecosystem to 215 companies by 2025. Combined, the DACH region represents one of the largest climate technology markets in Europe.
Which are the leading climate tech hubs in the DACH region?
Berlin hosts over 2,000 cleantech startups and serves as the primary German hub alongside Munich. In Switzerland, Zurich and Lausanne benefit from proximity to ETH Zurich and EPFL. Vienna and Graz are the main Austrian hubs, supported by government agencies like aws and the Climate and Energy Fund.
How does the 2022 energy crisis affect DACH climate tech?
The 2022 energy crisis accelerated Germany's renewable energy expansion and shifted investment toward energy security and industrial decarbonization. It increased political urgency for the Energiewende targets and drove corporate demand for energy independence solutions, benefiting startups in solar, battery storage, and grid management.
About the Host
Joern "Joe" Menninger is the host of the Startuprad.io podcast and covers founder stories, venture capital, and technology trends across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The podcast has published over 600 episodes featuring founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from the DACH startup scene.
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