It’s a much broader space than most people realize. When the discussion turns to cleantech, most people think clean energy, like solar and wind. But there are innovative companies solving problems well beyond energy. From agriculture to construction to healthy buildings to smart roadways and electric vehicles, these companies are doing amazing work to solve difficult problems across the spectrum of society.
Here are just a few standout examples:
CarbonCure is leading the global movement to reduce the carbon footprint of the concrete industry. Concrete is the most abundant man-made material in the world. But cement, the critical ingredient that gives concrete its strength, is responsible for up to 7 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. CarbonCure has invented a system for making concrete that traps these emissions by injecting CO2 into concrete as it’s being mixed. This makes the concrete stronger and reduces the need for cements, while also sequestering the CO2 forever.
Currently, around half of all food grown ends up in a landfill. Apeel Sciences is fighting this global food-waste crisis with plant-derived coatings that keep produce fresh as much as two to three times longer. Apeel’s natural technology keeps moisture in and oxygen out, which dramatically slows the rate of spoilage. By maintaining moisture and reducing oxidation, Apeel supports the plant’s natural abilities to resist environment stressors.
Mango Materials is focused on turning methane into a resource, rather than a liability, by transforming it into a biopolymer that can be sold to plastic producers. When the bioplastic ends up in a waste facility, it biodegrades back into methane, creating a closed-loop, cradle-to-cradle process. And even if it ends up in the ocean, the biodegradable material can be digested naturally by marine life — a drastically different outcome compared to the persistence of oil-based plastics.
Also, check out the wide-ranging and frankly hopeful work being done by Heliac. Spire. Insight M. Planet Labs. Miovision. And so many other impressive cleantech businesses.
But for these enterprises to be effective, the word needs to get out. At Symmetri, we believe building your brand is as critical as developing the technology — a thought that goes against conventional wisdom in many startup companies. In another blog post, we’ve put together some thoughts about building brands and designing experiences in the cleantech arena. We hear many questions from startups seeking to get their brand right so they can make a difference. “How do I combat a competitive company that is making untrue claims about the performance of their technology?” “Should I build a marketing plan first or invest in my brand?” “Should I brand my company or brand my technology?” The answer to these and other questions begins with a key point: Listen to your customers. That’s advice we always strive to follow at Symmetri, as well. Questions like these provide the framework for devising solutions to branding problems. From tips and tricks to guides and workshops, there is much work Symmetri can do to help cleantech companies drive growth for their organization through effective marketing.
If you’re a clean technology company — from agriculture to construction, healthy buildings, smart roadways, electric vehicles and beyond — who believes marketing can help drive growth, please reach out to Symmetri. We’re ready to go to work for you, and for the environment.
