INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Renewable Energy

Dive deep into a dynamic and burgeoning renewable energy world, explore the untapped opportunities for business growth and the related risks, and acquire skills to outstrip the dominant players.

Plug into the power of nature today, light the world tomorrow

Being humans’ hope for a sustainable future with a lower-carbon economy, supported by government subsidies and fueled by technological advancements, the renewable energy industry is skyrocketing. With a 90% expected-by-2050 share of the world’s electricity powering, the renewables sector is not only appealing for investors but also promising for startups, providing a huge variety of opportunities they can capitalize on. But…

It’s not all smooth sailing

The renewables segment leaps and twirls with dizzying speed, but so does the competition. Industry leaders with heavy wallets, such as NextEra Energy, Iberdrola SA, or Orsted A/S, have occupied the market, making it hard for new entrants to set foot in it.

The sector’s rapid technological advancements are both a blessing and a curse. You either proceed fast, securing funds and recognition, or sink into oblivion like the formerly bright solar company Solyndra.

Success takes more than just a spark of genius

Having guided startups to attracting more than $2B in funding, crafting compelling market entry plans, and delivering impactful pitch decks, Waveup is your partner in propelling business growth. We’ll be the architects, turning your ideas from mere blueprints into towering successes. And let exploring our renewable energy market research be the first step toward it.

3.5x growth
The renewable energy segment is projected to expand almost fourfold by 2030.

 

90%
Renewable energy is estimated to provide about 90% of the world’s electricity by 2050.

29%

of the electricity powering comes from renewable sources globally.

2.1Gt

Renewable energy avoided the emission of nearly 2.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide in 2020.

11.5M

people were employed within the renewable energy sector in 2020.

VENTURE LANDSCAPE

In 2022, venture capital investment in renewables soared to $3B

 
Key verticals where VC funding is primarily channeled:

  • Solar Energy Technology
  • Wind Energy
  • Energy Storage Solutions
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure
  • Energy Efficiency Technologies

Leading renewable energy venture capital firms we worked with

Write to us to know more

WAVEUP VIEW

Challenges startups face entering the renewable energy sector

Managing high upfront costs

The funding rivers in the renewable energy sector flow with promise – the 2022 $3B catch shows. But the new waves may crash on the rocks of high initial capital investments. Startups in this sector require heavy cash injections to buy specialized equipment, secure patents, and undergo rigorous testing. All that—just to get the ball rolling.

Beating the elite

The renewables segment is a dog-eat-dog world. While new players with their innovative ideas yet limited financial capacity are trying to break into the market, established companies like NextEra Energy, with its market capital of $147.57B, or Iberdrola SA, with $72.67B are not going to give up their positions.

Innovate or evaporate

The technological advancements in the renewables sector sprint like a cheetah on the hunt. And this race leads to products becoming either obsolete fast or eclipsed by a superior innovation. Thus, startups must always keep up with the times to avoid ending up like Solyndra, a once-promising solar company that collapsed after its unique cylindrical solar panels were undercut by traditional flat-panel technologies.

How we can help

Startups
Fundraising advisory

From diligent industry analysis to storytelling and financial forecasts, we’re helping founders crystallize and structure key business fundamentals and translate them into a compelling investment opportunity framed in a winning pitch deck.

Investors
Due diligence and portfolio support

Evaluating potential investments, conducting due diligence, and supporting portfolio companies on their new fundraising rounds.

Established companies
Growth hacking

Discovering market opportunities in the market and developing execution strategies to build actionable and scalable blueprints for growth.

WHO WE ARE

Unlocking your next stage of growth

Waveup is a leading global advisory empowering companies to fuel growth, attract investments, and secure strategic partnerships.

We turn data into business insights that drive results, helping companies excel in the competitive B2C and B2B spaces across 50+ verticals, discovering and catalizing opportunities for growth.

Our investment consulting services for renewable energy startups

Market intelligence

Fundraising support

Pitch decks

Financial models

Investor research

Growth consulting

Go-to-market strategies

Marketing/sales materials

Design support

Learn more

FAQ

What makes the industry appealing for renewable energy financing opportunities?

The renewable energy industry is appealing to investors due to its combination of growth potential, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation. The industry’s impressive growth rates, grounded on increasing investment flows and substantial market value, signify its promising prospects.

What is the current size of the renewable energy market, and its potential for future renewable energy startups?

The renewable market has reached about $1T so far, and it’s projected to grow at an annual rate of 16.9%. The opportunities for renewables startups are endless: innovations based on wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy, solutions for effective renewable energy integration, decentralized or off-grid energy systems, or renewable-powered transportation options – and it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

How challenging is it to secure funding for renewable energy startups nowadays?

Raising funding for a renewable energy startup can be challenging due to competition and the necessity to meet investors’ needs. But with innovative ideas and the ability to keep up with the times, startups have all the chances to secure funding in the long-term perspective.

How long does it take to create a renewable energy pitch deck and a financial model for a renewable energy startup?

The time frames vary depending on project complexity and our current workload. Usually, the materials are ready within two-three weeks. However, sometimes it may take up to a month to finish the project, while in other cases, only three days. The exact time is discussed individually.

What are the key mistakes renewable energy startups make in their pitch decks?

Most renewable energy pitch decks lack a strong investment hook. Startups skip explaining why they chose this particular niche, resulting in their struggling to persuade venture capitalists that the market conditions are right. Plus, lack of meaningful traction and focus on their business model and strategy strengths, coupled with abundance of technicalities make investors choose another project.

What are the main challenges renewable energy startups face, and how are they tackling them?

The main challenges renewable energy companies face are competition, high upfront costs, and the urge for continuous innovations. Thus, it’s essential to produce cutting-edge technologies, often checking for new upgrades, utilize an effective business model, and know how to secure funding.

How competitive is the renewable energy market?

The renewable energy market is highly competitive due to its significant interest among venture capitalists. Nowadays, the number of renewable energy startups comprises 2.7K+ startups, and the number is snowballing. To outrun rivals, the offered technologies and solutions must be innovative, viable in the long-term perspective, and appealing to investors and individuals.

What services do you provide for investors who are either considering or have already invested in renewable energy startups?

We assist in assessing potential investments through comprehensive due diligence and supporting the fundraising journeys of our partner funds’ portfolio companies.

Do you provide renewable energy M&A support?

Yes, we offer assistance with M&A opportunity scouting, along with providing support for CIM writing and modeling in both buy-side and sell-side transactions.

Do you make intros to renewable energy VCs?

If there’s a match in terms of round size, team, product, etc., we can link you with prominent renewables VCs. Our core competency, though, lies in structuring the investor outreach to secure first meetings at scale with investors interested in the field.

Do you provide comprehensive renewable energy market research on request?

Yes. We can deliver customized research solutions containing the most up-to-date figures concerning the renewable energy sector market size. As the market consists of numerous subsegments and differs across product types, regions, business models, etc., we can adapt our research to align with the client’s specific requirements.

Which renewable energy startup funding stages do you assist with?

Our primary focus is handling projects from the renewables Seed to Series B growth stages. However, our proven success record includes supporting companies in pre-seed and Series C+ stages and our collaborations with mature companies and funds.

Venturing into renewable energy? You’re in the right place

Leverage Waveup’s unmatched expertise in fundraising, renewable energy M&A advisory, and growth hacking to take your project to the next level. Share your email, and let's discuss how we can help!

Form submitted successfully.