INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Clean Energy

Dive deep into a burgeoning yet competitive clean energy industry to learn how to carve out your niche, secure investments, and navigate the challenges.

Innovate for a greener tomorrow, today

Fueled by technological advancements, heightened consumer awareness, and strong government and venture capital support— over $12B from VCs in 2022—the clean energy industry is skyrocketing, being a beacon of hope for a sustainable future. Energy efficiency solutions, green mobility, decentralized energy systems, waste-to-energy ventures, etc.—a path is laden with golden opportunities for clean energy startups, yet not without its fair share of hurdles. Thus…

Making a splash is challenging

First, deep pockets are required. Research, development, and integration of clean energy solutions demand massive money infusions. So, startups must be agile and creative in attracting clean energy investment.

Plus, government policies are as changing as the weather. Lobbying and advocacy initiatives may be helpful, as well as collaborations with industry bodies and hiring experts who can navigate these regulatory hurdles easily. But that’s not something most newcomers are prepared for.

Having an innovative solution is just the beginning

At Waveup, we know how to turn a clean energy business idea into a prosperous venture with a high potential for clean energy funding. Having ensured end-to-end fundraising support to numerous clean energy funds and startups, scouted for M&A opportunities, and advised on growth, our team will guide you to success. Check our clean energy market research to get a taste of the industry nuances.

2x
In 2023, the global clean energy market size is $1031B being expected to double by 2032.

 

$2.5T
By 2050, the industry is projected to lure $2.5T in clean energy investment.

73%

is the new electricity generation capacity produced by renewables.

28M

The clean energy sector is estimated to create more than 28M jobs by 2050.

100+

Over 100 global corporations have committed to 100% renewable energy usage.

VENTURE LANDSCAPE

Clean energy venture capital jumped from $1.9B in 2019 to $12.3B in 2022

The key verticals that received the lion’s share of funding are:

  • Renewable Energy Generation
  • Energy Storage and Management
  • Electrification of Transportation
  • Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
  • Carbon Capture and Utilization

Leading clean energy investors we worked with

Write to us to know more

WAVEUP VIEW

Challenges clean energy startups must tackle

The clean energy sector grows in leaps and bounds, bringing new challenges every year.

Finance bottlenecks

Launching into the clean energy industry is a voyage that calls for deep pockets and a river of resources. Let’s take building a wind or solar power plant, for example. Land acquisition, tech supply, and infrastructure development… All these come with a hefty price tag. This is why all eyes are on finding viable solutions to secure funds. Robust market-entry strategies, collaborations with top players such as Enphase Energy, SGRE, Vestas, and NextEra Energy, grants, and government subsidies are just a few of the possible routes.

Navigating R&D hurdles

Continuous research and development matters big time for clean energy startups. Thus, newcomers need to know how to catch up with the fast-evolving sector. It may be collaborating with research institutions, implementing pilot projects to test technologies before a full-scale rollout, or onboarding professionals who will navigate the tech complexities. And yes, it also requires substantial money infusions. So, the new entrants must know all the ropes of acquiring financial backing.

Regulatory pitfalls

Ensuring clean energy project viability and profitability is a tough nut to crack, especially in terms of changing governmental policies. Many companies across the globe are actively engaged in lobbying and advocacy efforts to affect policy decisions and create a more favorable environment for clean energy solutions. Among them is POET, one of the world’s largest biofuel producers, which has settled regulatory approvals for the production and use of new types of biofuel complying with the RFS.

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 clean energy 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 clean 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 clean energy financing opportunities?

The allure of the industry for clean energy funding lies in its potential for sustainable growth, innovation-driven advancements, and alignment with global efforts to mitigate climate change. Clean energy VCs recognize the sector’s capacity to offer high returns while fostering a greener future.

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

In 2023, the clean energy market constitutes $1T and is projected to double by 2030. The clean energy industry offers numerous opportunities within a huge number of verticals such as transportation, construction and real estate, energy and utilities, healthcare, agriculture, etc.

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

Securing clean energy funds is a challenging yet doable task. High prices for developing and commercializing clean energy solutions, long sales cycles, and regulation shifts make the clean energy venture group think twice before investing.

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

Our team usually needs two to three weeks to finish all the documentation. However, sometimes the time frames may stretch up to one month in case our experts have a lot on their plate, or the project is challenging.

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

Although most pitch decks have innovative clean energy designs at their core, they fall short in providing substantial data to illustrate robust market prospects or address the pivotal ‘Why now?’ question. Plus, we often observe a lack of a cohesive and persuasive investment storyline. Thus, such clean energy pitch decks fail to spark investor enthusiasm, prompting them to focus on more urgent and promising solutions.

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

Clean energy startups face significant challenges, including attracting clean energy investments, adapting to changing policies, and proving the reliability of their technologies. To tackle these, many are seeking partnerships for better financial backing, actively participating in policy dialogues, and focusing on continuous innovation. Plus, they are optimizing their strategies to attract the attention of clean energy venture groups keen on supporting the burgeoning clean energy sector.

How competitive is the clean energy market?

With more than 3K startups and numerous top players such as Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Vestas, and Orsted, the clean energy market is highly competitive.

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

We guide investors in pinpointing promising clean energy investment opportunities. Our approach involves a deep dive into the industry’s potential by conducting due diligence on projects and creating clear, insight-rich pitch decks. Also, we offer a comprehensive approach to fundraising, supporting companies in the clean energy space and beyond, helping to bridge the gap between innovative startups and the right investors.

Do you provide clean energy M&A support?

Absolutely! We can help with your M&A goals, whether in the clean energy space or beyond. We take care of everything, from finding potential deals to evaluating them and ensuring smooth collaborations after the deal is sealed.

Do you make intros to clean energy VCs?

Sure! We help you connect with the right clean energy VCs. We’ll assess your project by looking at team setup, product, and the amount you’re looking to raise, and then guide you in working with clean energy venture capital firms, not just during the deal but also afterward.

Do you provide comprehensive clean energy market research on request?

Absolutely! We offer customized insights into the clean energy market. The clean energy research includes detailed industry analysis, competitive assessments, and broad market studies crafted to offer you a notable advantage. Drawing from trusted data sources, we help you fully grasp the ins and outs of the clean energy scene, including its opportunities, challenges, and clean energy investment trends.

Which clean energy startup funding stages do you assist with?

Our team provides clean energy growth and fundraising assistance to industry newcomers, guiding them from the initial Pre-Seed stage all the way through to Series C and beyond.

Building a solution in the clean energy industry? Get in touch with us

Fuel your next stage of growth with Waveup—your one-stop shop for fundraising support, outsourced M&A advisory, growth strategy consulting, and presentation design. Leave your email, and let's chat!

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