Denmark has been a world leader in clean technology and sustainability for a long time. For example, it was the first country to use wind energy decades ago. Today, it has set ambitious national climate goals and created a thriving innovation ecosystem.
The country’s public-private approach has made it possible for climate-tech startups and green businesses to thrive. This is because it has set legally binding goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2045.
A Green Economy That Goes Deep
Danish leaders are doing more than just talking about sustainability. The country gets more and more of its electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar, and bioenergy. It has also built world-famous industrial strengths around clean energy solutions and environmental technology. Its innovation ecosystem, especially in cities like Copenhagen, has strong networks of startups, accelerators, and collaborative communities that help entrepreneurs grow technologies that deal with emissions, waste, energy systems, supply chains, and circular materials.
Strong government policies, private investment, and a lot of environmental awareness among both consumers and businesses all help this culture of innovation. Denmark is also committed to sustainability through big projects like building a lot of offshore wind farms, which is a key part of national and European clean energy planning, and efforts to use new technologies like Power-to-X to store and convert renewable energy.
The Future of Startups That Are Good for the Environment in Denmark
Denmark’s sustainability ecosystem is set to grow a lot and have a big impact around the world in the future. More money going into green technologies, especially in renewable energy, carbon removal, climate analytics, and sustainable manufacturing, will lead to a new generation of businesses. Startups will keep getting strategic help through funding, research partnerships, and international networks because the government, academia, and industry work together so well.
Also, as climate risk becomes more important to businesses and governments, the need for tools that help measure and lower environmental footprints will grow. These tools could include carbon-smart supply chains or next-generation clean fuels.
There are still problems to solve, like how to grow early-stage businesses internationally and deal with changing rules. However, Denmark’s startup culture is very much in line with what a net-zero future needs. Danish entrepreneurs and investors are in a great position to lead the way as climate innovation goes from niche to mainstream.
The 7 Best Sustainability Startups in Denmark
Each of these startups is a good example of a different part of the sustainability economy, such as using circular materials and reducing waste, optimising renewable energy, and logistics with low impact. Their solutions are part of a bigger trend: combining environmental impact with business viability.
Here are 7 Danish startups that are making waves with their environmentally friendly new ideas in a variety of fields:
ZeroNorth
ZeroNorth uses a real-time data platform to make maritime operations more environmentally friendly by optimising routing, fuel use, and emissions for ships. This is one of the hardest industries to cut down on emissions.
Responsibly
This platform for sustainability data gives businesses clear, useful information about their supply chains that helps them make better decisions about where to get their goods and how to protect the environment.
Nordsense
Nordsense’s smart waste management technology uses sensor data and AI to make waste collection more efficient, which lowers costs and greenhouse gas emissions from waste operations.
Simply No Waste
Simply No Waste turns food production by-products into high-value ingredients. This helps reduce food waste and opens up new business opportunities for circular food manufacturing.
Grounded
Grounded makes coffee cups that can be composted at home out of recycled coffee grounds. This closes material loops and gets rid of waste that can only be used once.
Acodyne
Acodyne is a leader in sustainable aviation and logistics. They make heavy-lift eVTOL cargo drones that are meant to lower emissions in freight transport compared to regular air and ground shipping.
LastObject
LastObject makes everyday items that are strong and can be used again and again, like swabs and tissues. These items replace single-use plastic items and cut down on waste at the source.
