In the climate tech sector, Guy Hayler is known as a ‘super connector’. He has built a reputation helping to connect startup solutions with investors looking for planet positive, scaling businesses.
With this mission in mind, he has recently led the launch of Blue Earth Ventures. A digital membership platform for high potential startups and investors. The aim is to make the connection and funding process rapid and streamlined, matching relevant businesses and investors through digital and curated in-person interactions at Blue Earth events.
“Connecting investors with innovation is in my DNA. I come from an entrepreneurial family so it's always felt natural to build a network of like-minded people and help forge successful relationships”.
According to data from PwC last year, whilst global climate tech funding dipped, UK firms in the sector saw investments boost by 24%.The climate tech sector in the UK remains surprisingly resilient despite global economic headwinds. However, climate tech startups do face unique challenges in scaling.
“With long development and testing cycles, tech founders can face lengthy regulatory approval processes. What’s more, climate tech founders often require both hardware and software technology and currently, higher materials and supply chain costs are inflating overheads.
Scaling technology needs a lot of money upfront so the path to profitability can be slower which can be off-putting to risk averse investors.
Despite the challenges, Britain’s climate tech ecosystem is one of the best funded in the world, underscoring the sector’s growing importance in the UK.
Guy outlines 5 key areas essential for investors to consider when investing in the climate technology sector in 2025.
Look to the future
As an investor myself, I’m always looking for like minded investors that understand and embrace the unique features of the climate tech sector.
They’re not driven by short term gain but recognise the myriad of growth and return opportunities in the climate sector.
Alongside this enhanced understanding, climate tech investors must always explore the health proposition of any startup from the outset.
Some of these vital statistics include the viability and transparency of the startup’s own science, technology and data claims. Explore the business model and its potential to grow. Does it benefit from economies of scale? What regulations does it face that could help or hinder growth and what’s the product market fit - has customer analysis and feedback been rigorous enough?
I also believe founder culture & behaviour is key. I want to see founders demonstrate an agility to adapt to evolving technologies and market conditions.
Due diligence is fundamental but forward looking investors recognise that the next unicorns will come out of the climate space and that’s really exciting.
Don’t believe the hype
“We're a team inspired by innovation at Blue Earth. Maybe because we’re surrounded by hundreds of UK entrepreneurs creating new solutions and fixing planet health problems on a daily basis”
Who’s to blame for global warming or climate change? Government leaders and policy makers? the gas and oil industry? Or in the case of fashion waste and carbon footprint - human habit and behaviour.
We’re all worried about our planet's health but in many ways, activism for climate change has lost the ability to communicate effectively. Negative doom laden rhetoric disconnects the public in a world where personal economics are taking priority.
Savvy investors shouldn’t get caught up in the weeds of politics or propaganda. In the UK, the climate crisis might not be at the top of the UK government’s agenda but many are seeing the fast growth and global expansion of UK startups and scaleups. Now they know they can get the return too.
An illustrative example is UrbanChain - a peer to peer energy exchange provider who secured our Blue Earth100 finalist title last year. UrbanChain has experienced significant growth, achieving a 10x revenue increase from £2.4 million in 2023 to £25 million in 2024. They also rank as the third-fastest-growing UK tech company with a 3-year growth rate of 8,810%. In addition, the company's headcount has grown from 10 to 75.
The power of partnership
Advice I share with all investors is to look for startups that have established or are building alliances with major corporations, research institutions, or NGOs from the outset.
Startups often operate with limited capital, infrastructure, and talent. Strategic partnerships can provide access to essential resources, such as technology, distribution channels, or skilled personnel, without large upfront cost.
Founders can share the financial and operational burdens of product development, marketing or research with collaborators, reducing individual exposure to risk.
What’s more, working with other organisations or individuals exposes startups to new ideas, perspectives, and expertise, often leading to more innovative solutions and improved decision-making.
These allegiances can not only accelerate adoption but also create firm foundations for credibility and push open networking doors - otherwise firmly closed to founders.
Know what to look for, and where.
Being labelled a ‘super connector’ in climate business is a compelling description but I can’t do this sitting behind a computer screen.
Investors must be ready to step into the climate tech sector, find its business community events, attend meetups and networking opportunities and meet startups where they are. Much of this is about filling vital knowledge gaps. Innovation is widespread but data is often hard to find and influential legislation can be somewhat hidden.
For example, agritech is an exciting growth sector but one that many investors are looking at. Industrial farming is destroying soil, wildlife, land quality and biodiversity. Not to mention food security. It's an urgent problem that needs resolving.
In fact, a 2024 report from Oxford University and London School of Economics reported that if we continue business as usual, we will needlessly carry billions of avoidable costs, whereas transforming food systems could save every country trillions each year.
There are some exciting players in this space from lab grown meats to technology that can track the quality of farmland and new green sustainable chilled food transport systems. It's definitely a sector to watch.
I think that’s why Blue Earth has grown in popularity for business leaders, investors and Founders. Our events and ventures platform share thousands of insights from hundreds of expert speakers throughout the year. It's the kind of spotlight on timely data and emerging trends that is so critical for investors and innovators.
The time it takes
Naturally investors are looking for the fastest returns. But innovation in the green sector takes longer so I urge climate tech investors to think differently.
Returns in the climate sector may take longer to realise but the opportunity could be bigger. Higher risk and higher reward. Perhaps this is the biggest challenge facing the climate space but entrepreneurs are already providing competitive results and financial returns are being realised.
Many climate startups require time to scale due to high R&D costs and regulatory hurdles. Be patient with returns.
According to Tony Seba and James Airbib, co-founders of Rethinkx, research specialist in transformative technology, “We are on the cusp of the fastest, deepest, most consequential transformation of human civilization in history”.
Whilst funding is still a challenge for many planet positive business leaders, I am hoping that as impact investing is becoming more mature, the returns are more visible and so investor commitments become an easier choice.
Ones to watch?
Check out these fast growth startups already attracting significant investment. We’re proud to have supported their endeavours at Blue Earth Forum.
UrbanChain marketplace matches generators of renewable energy and consumers on a half hourly basis, including private companies, office buildings, industrial sites, local government organisations, hospitals and many more. In 2024, they recorded a three-year growth rate of 8,810% and are currently raising £60m.
“Blue Earth Forum was a great opportunity to connect with a passionate community of investors. It was inspiring to engage with individuals who understand and support our mission at UrbanChain.” Somayeh Taheri, Founder
Klura offer innovative and groundbreaking antimicrobial technology. Using real science, the business has developed a breakthrough formula that harnesses the power of plant-based, organic ingredients to deliver exceptional results.
Compare Ethics is an AI-powered platform that has been built by dedicated experts on green claims compliance. It is the only sustainability compliance technology platform that guarantees assurance on green claims
Blue Earth Forum takes place between 24-26 June at Protein Studios, Shoreditch, London. Investors can apply for their free Investor pass on this link.
Guy Hayler is co-founder of Blue Earth Summit, and Blue Earth Forum - annual events in London that connect 1,000s of climate tech and planet positive innovators, investors, campaigners and policy makers.
