MassChallenge

Developer of water desalination technology designed to turn polluted water into fresh water. The company's technology utilizes a patented process to address water scarcity and pollution, enabling municipalities and industrial facilities to access clean water resources.

Algdeha specializes in sustainable biotechnology solutions aimed at industries reliant on fish-based products. The company focuses on developing innovative methods for large-scale algae production, utilizing natural resources such as wave energy, sunlight, and ambient heat to minimize costs. By providing an alternative to traditional animal feed derived from fish, Algdeha's approach supports sustainability and reduces the environmental impact associated with fish dependency in animal agriculture.

RenewCO2 is a research company established in 2018 and located in Cranford, New Jersey. The company focuses on developing clean electrochemical processes that convert carbon dioxide emissions into useful polymers and chemicals. By specializing in these innovative methods, RenewCO2 aims to assist organizations in the chemical industry in reducing their environmental impact while also creating sustainable products from waste materials. Through its technology, the company seeks to transform CO2 into valuable monomers and other organic chemicals, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly chemical manufacturing landscape.

FLITE has a laser-based technology that changes the surface topology of familiar materials (glass, plastic, metal, ceramics and semiconductors) to make them attract or repel water and oil - without the use of chemical coatings.

Plastogaz is a company specializing in natural gas production from waste resources. It aims to produce a natural gas that can be used as a fuel or to produce new synthetic materials. Their technology relies on a patented catalyst and mitigates wastes plastics and greenhouse emissions. Plastogaz was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland.

GasApp is an online platform for liquid petroleum gas distribution, leakage detector, and level monitor, through mobile apps and smart devices.

BiteBack Insect Oil Co., founded in 2015 and headquartered in Malang, Indonesia, specializes in producing cooking oil derived from edible insects. The company focuses on sustainability and health by utilizing beetle cultures and waste stream feedstock through non-sterile fermentation processes. This approach provides consumers with a viable alternative to traditional palm oil, promoting environmentally friendly food options.

Oxyle AG is a Swiss company based in Zurich, founded in 2020, that specializes in wastewater treatment, specifically targeting the removal of persistent and toxic micropollutants. The company serves a diverse range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, food and beverage, research laboratories, electronics, hospitals, and wastewater treatment facilities. Oxyle's innovative technology effectively degrades hazardous substances such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, and personal care products, helping clients comply with environmental regulations while minimizing their carbon footprint. By offering a cost-effective solution that reduces the need for wastewater incineration, Oxyle AG contributes to the protection of water bodies and addresses critical environmental challenges associated with toxic pollutants.

DePoly is a spin off out of the LSMO lab at EPFL- Valais that has developed a novel technology allowing for the chemical recycling of PET plastic back to its main two components ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalic acid (TPA). Our approach turns low valued materials (PET waste) into high-valued chemicals like TPA creating a circular economy. We expect this process to generate revenue from chemically recycling PET to TPA/EG, which can be sold back to industry to make new virgin PET plastic and allowing for a sustainable source of TPA and EG on the market.

Naturbeads, a company working to manufacture a replacement ato the ocean-polluting microbeads that, despite initial bans in “rinse-off” cosmetics, are found in many personal and home care products and paints. Naturbeads manufacture a biodegradable alternative to plastic microbeads that could reduce micro plastic pollution in the oceans. The technology to create the cellulose microbeads was developed at the University of Bath by Professors Janet Scott and Davide Mattia from the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies in 2017

Developer of a filtering technology designed to control pollutant emissions like dust and chemicals. The company's technology offers a fluid dynamic filter to ensure that the dust particles present in the flow are naturally attracted to the low-pressure areas that can be captured and removed using airflow to generate extreme vacuums that separate microparticles from the polluted emissions, enabling industries to ensure minimal maintenance costs and less electrical power consumption, with no need for replacing consumables or filters.

Manufacturer of photocatalysis-based technologies intended to remove per and poly fluoro alkyl substances. The company's platform breaks down toxic PFAS and eliminates them from the ecosystem by removing toxic chemicals from water, enabling water utilities and manufacturers to cost-effectively remediate PFAS and meet regulatory requirements.

We break down barriers faced when changing from polluting fuel sources to cleaner alternatives by providing innovative combustion technology for heat transfer in ovens. QUEMPIN offers an efficient and low emissions gas burner for the heat sector that can reduce gas fuel consumption by at least 20%. For companies that use coal or firewood, we can offer our heat solution without investment costs. As a result, we help with the switching cost from dirty fuels to clean energy and economically viable.

M1neral LLC, based in Houston, Texas, offers a mineral intelligence platform that streamlines the transaction process for buyers, operators, and sellers of mineral assets. The platform integrates data collection, artificial intelligence, and transaction automation to provide actionable insights and enhance decision-making. It features a robust spatial search tool that facilitates collaboration among all parties involved in transactions, including service providers and financial institutions. By focusing on efficiency, M1neral's platform aims to significantly reduce transaction cycle times, enabling users to complete deals more quickly and effectively. Additionally, the marketplace allows mineral buyers and owners to easily research and filter asset information, promoting a more informed and convenient transaction experience.

PolarPanel is a Forbes 30 Under 30 renewable energy startup focused on bringing clean, reliable, and low-maintenance refrigeration technology to the commercial cold chain.

Manufacturer of nanocoating materials intended to create a strong protective penetrative coating that covalently bonds to the substrate. The company's materials are manufactured through hydrophobic nano-coating which repels stains and water, thereby enabling clients to improve of the nature and quality of the surfaces and structures with specialized cleaners, sealers, and stains.

ZeoVation produces and supplies zeolite materials to the sun/skin care, home care, healthcare, coatings, water and gas purification markets. Our ready-to-use zeolite products include nanozeolites and hierarchical zeolites. We are dedicated to providing assistance to the research and corporate R&D community to develop products relevant to their interests using the unique features of our featured zeolites.

MicroRio is a developer of technology that produces polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plastics using methane as a raw material. Founded in 2018 and based in Austin, Texas, the company harnesses bacteria to convert low-cost methane from natural gas into fully biodegradable plastic. This innovative bioprocess allows MicroRio to create PHA products that are competitively priced compared to conventional plastics, while also ensuring that the raw material does not compete with food sources or arable land. By utilizing an abundant and inexpensive resource, MicroRio aims to provide sustainable alternatives in the plastics industry.

BASF is a global chemical company headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, operating through six primary segments: chemicals, plastics, performance products, functional solutions, agricultural solutions, and oil and gas. The company produces a diverse range of products, including basic chemicals, engineering plastics, and specialty materials for various industries such as automotive, construction, and pharmaceuticals. In addition to its core activities, BASF New Business GmbH actively seeks to identify and explore new industrial opportunities, focusing on innovative solutions in chemistry and sustainability. BASF Venture Capital GmbH, the company's investment arm, invests in startups and venture capital funds that align with BASF's strategic interests, emphasizing advanced materials and digitalization, among other fields. The company also has a subsidiary, BASF West Africa Limited, which manufactures construction chemicals in Nigeria. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, BASF aims to address significant challenges faced by customers in both existing and emerging markets.

Bloom Biorenewables Ltd is a company focused on developing innovative technology to convert wood and agricultural waste into renewable materials that can replace petroleum-based products. Incorporated in 2019 and based in Marly, Switzerland, the company aims to provide sustainable alternatives for various industries, including chemicals, fragrances, plastics, and textiles. By employing a biomass deconstruction technology platform, Bloom Biorenewables offers a cost-effective method to extract bio-based molecules from plant materials. This approach not only helps customers reduce their reliance on fossil fuels but also contributes to efforts in mitigating climate change by lowering carbon footprints and supporting the transition to a circular economy.

Producer of red palm intended to grow African diaspora. The company's oil is made by mixing traditional fermentation techniques and low-cost mechanization which provides quality staple food while reducing environmental impact and hardship, enabling smallholder farmers to increase their yield while reducing their impact on the environment.

Provider of a scalable and affordable fluoride removal service intended to prevent diseases caused by contaminated water. The company utilizes mildly processed bauxite as a dispersive adsorbent to remediate the excess fluoride to proper levels to provide affordable, clean drinking water, enabling under-served communities to avoid irreversible diseases from drinking contaminated groundwater.

Arqlite SPC, founded in 2015 and based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with an additional office in Seattle, Washington, specializes in recycling plastics through a proprietary process that allows for the recycling of all types of plastics, including those typically deemed non-recyclable. This innovative approach addresses approximately 70% of the plastic waste stream, which includes materials that are laminated, aluminized, or degraded by environmental factors. The result of Arqlite's process is a lightweight artificial gravel that serves various applications in the construction industry, including use by precast concrete companies and landscapers. This product is not only eco-friendly but also offers significant cost advantages, being ten times better as an insulator and three times lighter than traditional materials.

Future Sight AR provides immersive solutions and content to keep companies in the oil & gas industry efficient and safe, while pushing the limits of modern engineering.

Phase Two Chemicals is a clean chemistry company developing breakthrough technology for on-site hydrogen peroxide production.

We provide moments of warmth for everyone, everywhere. We are the bridge that connects people to a more reliable and comfortable energy consumption experience. We created an IoT gas management platform, starting with propane that empowers people to have a better and fairest consumption experience. There are 3B people around the world who use propane as their main source of energy (cooking, hot showers and heating). The propane gas industry was worth 122B in 2015. Our go to market strategy is Mexico (the biggest propane consumer per capita in America), representing an 8B industry. There are 6 million stationary tanks within residential users and SMBs. Our device connects stationary propane tanks to the internet. Our platform connects the three main stakeholders; on one hand to the end user (Residential and SMB’s), later to the gas company and finally to the dispatchers. We have a device for the stationary tank, an application for the end user, a control dashboard for the SMB’s and a management dashboard for gas suppliers.

We provide moments of warmth for everyone, everywhere. We are the bridge that connects people to a more reliable and comfortable energy consumption experience. We created an IoT gas management platform, starting with propane that empowers people to have a better and fairest consumption experience. There are 3B people around the world who use propane as their main source of energy (cooking, hot showers and heating). The propane gas industry was worth 122B in 2015. Our go to market strategy is Mexico (the biggest propane consumer per capita in America), representing an 8B industry. There are 6 million stationary tanks within residential users and SMBs. Our device connects stationary propane tanks to the internet. Our platform connects the three main stakeholders; on one hand to the end user (Residential and SMB’s), later to the gas company and finally to the dispatchers. We have a device for the stationary tank, an application for the end user, a control dashboard for the SMB’s and a management dashboard for gas suppliers.

BMG Intepco is looking to commercialise biomicrogels - an innovative patented nano-scale organic chemical. They have been developing and manufacturing tools (technologies and their applications) for the purification of water, soil and solid surfaces from oils, petroleum products and heavy metal ions . The rich experience of their employees research department allows individual approach to solving the problems of their customers and to fulfill the most stringent environmental requirements .

NrgStorEdge Ltd is a start-up, based on patented energy storage technology for safe and inexpensive use in zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles. NrgStorEdge is located in the Hi-Tech Village of Jerusalem, Israel. They are approved and financially supported by the Israeli Government and Jerusalem Development Authority.

Arqlite SPC, founded in 2015 and based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with an additional office in Seattle, Washington, specializes in recycling plastics through a proprietary process that allows for the recycling of all types of plastics, including those typically deemed non-recyclable. This innovative approach addresses approximately 70% of the plastic waste stream, which includes materials that are laminated, aluminized, or degraded by environmental factors. The result of Arqlite's process is a lightweight artificial gravel that serves various applications in the construction industry, including use by precast concrete companies and landscapers. This product is not only eco-friendly but also offers significant cost advantages, being ten times better as an insulator and three times lighter than traditional materials.

Sourcewater, from MIT Energy Ventures, is the online exchange for sourcing, recycling, transporting and disposing of water for energy production, a $20 billion U.S. market. We create a marketplace that matches providers of water, wastewater, trucking, treatment, storage and disposal with energy producers, thereby minimizing the capital and operating costs of oil and gas production, ensuring reliability of the water supply chain, and reducing the environmental and community impact of hydraulic fracturing. For water sellers and service providers, Sourcewater creates a marketing platform that reduces cost of sales and maximizes utilization and profitability.

Cambridge Carbon Capture Ltd is focused on advancing technology for industrial carbon dioxide capture and storage through innovative mineralization processes. The company employs proprietary methods to extract CO2 from industrial flue gases at a cost lower than the current carbon price, potentially allowing for cost offsetting or profit generation from the sale of valuable by-products, such as semi-precious metals. By utilizing electrochemical techniques, Cambridge Carbon Capture aims to transform carbon emissions from hydrocarbon combustion into solid carbonate materials, contributing to a sustainable approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This technology not only supports industries in addressing climate change but also facilitates the safe sequestration of carbon dioxide, positioning clients to achieve both environmental and economic benefits.

FuelDrop, is an up and coming start-up that formed out of MIT in the greater Boston area. For anyone living in a major city, filling up your car with gasoline can be a real pain. Limited gas stations coupled with high gas prices results in an experience that is dreaded by all. At fueldrop they ask ourselves, why are they still using this archaic method of getting gas? Why do they have thousands of cars driving to one gas station... what if the gas just came straight to your car? The team at fueldrop is creating a fuel delivery service so you will never have to go to a gas station again.

DropWise Technologies specializes in advanced coating solutions designed to enhance efficiency in heat exchange systems, particularly for power plants. Founded in 2014 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes a unique vapor-based deposition process developed in collaboration with leading MIT labs. This innovative technology produces ultra-thin, durable coatings that significantly reduce fouling and corrosion, enabling power plants to generate electricity using less coolant water. The coatings are versatile, applicable in various sectors including power generation, desalination, HVAC/R, and chemical refining. By chemically grafting coatings to surfaces with nanometer precision, DropWise addresses the limitations of conventional liquid coatings, which are often too thick and ineffective. Their products not only improve heat transfer rates—up to seven times greater—but also provide protection against harsh environments, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.

Loci Controls, Inc. specializes in optimizing landfill gas collection through its innovative automated systems. The company has developed the Loci WellWatcher, which combines wellhead-mounted hardware with cloud-based monitoring and analytics to enhance the extraction of methane from landfills. By providing real-time monitoring of gas composition, pressure, temperature, and flow, Loci Controls has demonstrated the capability to increase gas collection by over 20%, thereby improving safety and reducing operational costs for landfill operators and energy utilities in the United States. The firm also employs patent-pending technologies and offers continuous monitoring alongside field service support, aiming to enhance profitability while addressing environmental, health, and safety concerns. Established in 2012 and based in Fall River, Massachusetts, Loci Controls is dedicated to advancing renewable energy production through efficient landfill gas management.

E-POL has developed a process allowing waste glycerin from biodiesel production to be turned into a variety of products.

HydroConfidence is focused on supporting the natural gas extraction industry by offering tools and services aimed at maximizing gas production while minimizing environmental impact. The company is developing two main products: an aquifer monitoring system that employs a network of well-based sensors to detect methane migration, and a downhole monitoring system designed to provide data on gas flow and mechanical integrity. These innovations not only enhance the financial competitiveness of natural gas but also promote its environmental safety, contributing to a more sustainable approach in the sector.

Dynamo Micropower Corporation specializes in developing fuel-flexible gas turbines designed for small distributed generation applications in the oil and gas industry. The company's notable products include PowerCore, which provides continuous power for oilfield operations, and Infernocore, a flameless turboheater. Dynamo's innovative turbine-based solutions offer grid-like power quality while significantly reducing energy costs, with the capability to operate on local unrefined gas, achieving savings of up to 80%. The company also delivers custom power solutions tailored to the specific needs of its clients, facilitating plug-and-play installation on flare gas. Dynamo has established a network of distributors and service partners to support its offerings. Founded in 2011 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, Dynamo has successfully deployed multiple turbines for prominent customers in the industry.

LiquiGlide Inc., founded in 2012 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in developing custom-designed liquid-impregnated coatings that create permanently wet slippery surfaces. This innovative technology enables viscous liquids to slide effortlessly, providing a unique and durable solution not available from other companies. LiquiGlide's products cater to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, oil and gas, processing, aviation, utilities, power generation, water treatment, chemicals, and medical sectors, as well as food and beverage, health and beauty, and household products. The company aims to improve efficiency and reduce waste across various applications by enhancing the flow of liquids.

Made In the Commonwealth (MitC) will produce renewable jet fuel for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Using waste greases and animal fats, we will create 100% renewable, 100% fungible fuel that meets all standards and replaces imported petroleum-based products. Their plan includes appropriate and novel uses of existing infrastructure and established technology from MIT labs. We garnered support from State and local officials. If you care about the environment and the future, support MitC.

ZCI Carbon to Methanol technology reduces greenhouse gasses while boosting energy independence and the bottom line.

Reach Production Solutions delivers long-lasting production enhancement to multiphase wells. It specializes in multiphase wells, it has found a solution to costly good interventions when it comes to artificial lift or fact hit fluid recovery. Reach installs on the surface – meaning it’s quick, easy, and even more effective than traditional artificial lift techniques. It was founded in 2010 and headquartered in Houston, Texas.

hydroGEN Technologies is commercializing a novel technology that leverages energy stored in waste to produce low cost, predictably priced high purity hydrogen. High purity hydrogen is a $10B market and is primarily produced through the reformation of price volatile natural gas and the electrolysis of water. The high price is due to purification steps and high transportation costs. Our advantages include low cost energy input and scalability allowing for onsite generation at competitive prices.