Change Makers 2025 cohort: Cleantech start-ups join accelerator programme for deep-tech chemistry ventures
Nine pioneering cleantech start-ups tackling some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges have joined our Change Makers programme.
The cutting-edge ventures span a range of sectors, covering everything from technology to combat 'forever chemicals', advanced battery technologies, sustainable materials and pollution monitoring to innovative energy storage and chemical recycling.
The companies selected for this year's Change Makers cleantech cohort are as follows:
- Ail Arian
- Gavion
- Kodiaq Technologies
- Mantisonix
- Mode Labs
- Repolywise
- R3V Tech
- Solveteq
- Sustainable Extricko
Click the tabs below to learn more about each of the nine businesses.
Each company will receive tailored support through the RSC’s Venture Acceleration Programme, including expert mentoring from our pool of deep tech specialists, structured masterclasses, investment support , and access to a curated network of deep tech investors.
Meet the cohort
Recyclable silver conductive inks for sustainable printed electronics
Our silver conductive inks facilitate the recycling of electronic waste without any of the highly toxic chemicals currently used, while enabling the separation of the substrate and electrical components. The silver recovered by our process can be reused in the formulation of new conductive inks, reducing costs and environmental impact.
A new organically synthesised porous carbon for ion batteries
Our material offers increased energy capacity, ultrafast charge/discharge capabilities, and intrinsic safety. It can be produced through a diversified supply chain with a reduced carbon footprint. Beyond outperforming traditional graphite, our material shows promise in surpassing advanced alternatives, positioning it as a superior solution for next-generation energy storage.
Metal-free electrolytes for battery-based long-duration energy storage
We have developed innovative, high-energy-density electrolytes for renewable energy storage. These electrolytes consist of metal-free molecules and, in conjunction with redox flow batteries, offer an alternative to current metal-based technologies. With their high energy densities, they provide significantly increased return on investment and strengthen the case for renewable energy installations.
Sound waves to eliminate forever chemicals
Our technology destroys PFAS (per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) and other persistent pollutants. We use sonolysis (ultrasound cavitation) to convert pollutants to naturally occurring compounds. The process is catalyst- and chemical-free and is robust for different contamination types. Our process is highly scalable and is suitable for in situ deployment.
Plug and play remotely deployable chemical sensors for pollution monitoring
Using optical microcavities, we deliver plug-and-play chemical sensing capabilities in the field, with 10,000x increased sensitivity and 6x longer deployments, at 10% of the cost. Our patented platform technology can be expanded to any analyte in liquid, with applications in water, aquaculture, health, and security markets.
Plugin cleantech to convert waste into green solvent
We have developed a novel reaction pathway that enables undesired crude glycerol from biodiesel process to be converted into green solvent (Solketal) through electrochemical transformation at room temperature and pressure without catalyst increasing 50 times its market value. This is novel and inventive and represents a unique capability.
First truly closed loop for waste polyolefin plastics
Repolywise transforms waste plastics to new via a catalytic technology inspired by research at the University of Oxford. We degrade polyolefins back into their monomers (chiefly propane) in a highly selective, one-step process, operating at lower temperatures and pressures than prior processes, with good catalyst longevity.
Maximising metal extraction
Metals are essential. However, extracting and refining metals is energy intensive and expensive. Solveteq’s proprietary solvent-based technology platform extracts various metals at near room temperature, slashing energy use by up to 90% and CO2 emissions by up to 75% while maximising metal recovery.
Through green chemistry and biotechnology, we render the unrecyclable recyclable
We are challenging how circular economy focussed technologies are built, to enable zero waste manufacturing for businesses. By developing green chemistry and biotechnology solutions, we render the unrecyclable, recyclable, reducing the flow of manufacturing waste to landfill for businesses, while providing high performance products.
Dr Ben Voysey, Entrepreneurship Lead for Change Makers Venture Programmes, said: “The Change Makers programme is about more than just supporting and upskilling individual founders and their ventures - it’s about building an ecosystem that enables deep-tech chemistry to thrive.
"This year's cleantech cohort are solving critical problems that will benefit people all across the world. The challenges facing deep tech start-ups are well-documented – that’s why it's so important to ensure that structured support is available for game-changing organisations like these.
"By providing tailored support and fostering connections across the innovation landscape, we are empowering these start-ups to overcome the unique challenges they face and accelerate their journey from lab to market.”
The Change Makers initiative was launched in early 2023 and builds upon the RSC's previous EnterprisePlus programme, which supported over 600 SMEs over a decade.
Each company selected to join the programme is chosen based on a combination of their high potential and their potential benefits to society as a whole through the use of ground-breaking deep tech chemistry innovation.
For more information on the programme and the 2025 cleantech cohort, visit the Change Makers website.
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