Women are the Future of Climate Innovation

In the race to solve the climate crisis, one of the most powerful and often under-acknowledged forces driving innovation is women. Across the cleantech landscape, female leaders are not just participating in the energy transition, they’re transforming it. From pioneering green hydrogen technologies to revolutionizing energy storage, trailblazers like Olivia Breese of Ørsted, Lisa Ann Pinkerton of Women in Cleantech & Sustainability, and Charlotte Beard of Form Energy are breaking new ground and redefining what leadership looks like in a sector critical to our planet’s future. Recognized by Cleantech Group as the Next Frontier of Green Growth, these women represent a growing movement of change makers pushing clean energy solutions forward boldly, strategically, and with lasting impact. At the same time, standout entrepreneurs from Cleantech Open, including Gia Schneider of Natel Energy, Eliza Becton of Bevi, Steph Speirs of Solstice, Elise Strobach of AeroShield, and Jyotsna Budideti of SpaceSense, are building innovative climate solutions from the ground up. Yet even as they lead, these women face persistent systemic barriers that limit access, opportunity, and visibility for too many women in cleantech. If we are to build a climate-resilient, just, and innovative future, we must break those barriers and ensure women have a central seat at the table. Highlighting the achievements of women in cleantech is not just about recognition, it’s a call to accelerate inclusion and ensure that the clean energy transition is shaped by the full breadth of talent and leadership it demands. Check out this inspiring TED Talk, “How women and girls can stop global warming” to hear why the climate movement needs more women.

Barriers to Equity

Female-founded climate tech startups face a significant gender gap regarding investment opportunities. In 2024, these startups in the U.S. secured only $135.8 million out of the $33.5 billion invested, representing a mere 0.4% of total funding. The year before, only 6.6% of U.S. climate tech venture capital funding was allocated to female-founded companies. Historically, all female founders have received only 2.4% of venture capital funding over the past 30 years. Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC), encounter compounded challenges in securing funding and support. Only 1% of all venture capital went to Black and Latinx women founders in 2022. Studies have shown that investors are more likely to question the leadership capabilities and technical skills of BIWOC founders, often requiring them to provide more evidence of product viability and market traction than their white or male peers. 

A 2025 article from Reuters discusses how investors often pose "prevention-oriented" questions to women entrepreneurs, focusing on potential risks and losses, whereas men receive "promotion-oriented" questions that emphasize gains and growth. This line of questioning can negatively influence funding outcomes for women-led ventures. According to a BCG review of five years of investment and revenue data, companies founded or co-founded by women raised less than half the average funding of male-led ventures: $935,000 versus $2.1 million, but generated 10% more cumulative revenue: $730,000 compared to $662,000. Even more striking, for every dollar of funding, women-led startups produced 78 cents in revenue, compared to just 31 cents for male-led startups. Additionally, a study on Cleantech Open Success by Seed Consulting Group on 623 companies concluded that 60% of companies with a female founder are still in business, and companies with a female founder are successful at a slightly higher rate of 39% vs. 35%. These findings support the claim that underinvestment in female-led ventures is not rooted in a lack of performance but rather stems from systemic biases. This is reflected in the types of questions women receive from investors and the persistent funding disparities they face, ultimately hindering the growth and scalability of their businesses.

Despite cleantech’s promise of innovation and progress, it remains one of the most male-dominated sectors in the world.   In 2019, only 20% of global startups were led by women, and women made up just 32% of the renewable energy workforce. In Canada, the disparity is even starker. Only 5% of tech companies were founded by women, and over 60% of company boards had no female representation at all. Globally, women hold only 14% of senior leadership positions in the energy sector, highlighting a critical gap in decision-making power. 

Recent data from the Florence School of Regulation further underscores this imbalance. As of 2023, women occupied just 17% of senior management positions in energy companies, which is an improvement from 13% in 2010, but still far behind the 25% average across all sectors. In energy-focused startups, only 11% of founders are women, revealing the persistent structural barriers that prevent women from entering and scaling within this space. Despite women comprising nearly 40% of the global labor force, they account for just 20% of the energy sector workforce. This means that not only are women underrepresented in leadership, but they’re also excluded from foundational workforce roles that shape the future of the energy transition. Promoting diversity and inclusion at all organizational levels is not only a matter of equity but a strategic imperative for accelerating the clean energy transition. 

Pathways to Success

While these disparities are significant, they also highlight where focused support and strategic investment can drive meaningful change. Mentorship programs play a crucial role in supporting women in cleantech. Organizations like Women in Cleantech and Sustainability foster influential networks of professionals to further the roles of women in the green economy. Additionally, the Equality in Energy Transitions network works under the International Energy Agency to support women in clean technologies. 

Companies and organizations must also commit to diverse hiring practices to ensure equitable representation in the cleantech sector. This includes implementing policies that promote diversity in leadership development, mentorship programs, and funding opportunities. Highlighting the achievements of women in cleantech can inspire future generations and challenge existing stereotypes. Showcasing success stories and providing platforms for women to share their experiences can help normalize female leadership in the industry. Publications like Climate Insider’s “20 Women Leading Climatetech & Innovation 2024", bring much-needed attention to their contributions and pave the way for greater representation.

Rachel Malka Barr, Gillian D. Francis, Olena Kholodova, Christie Burley, Maryam Golnaraghi, Deanna Zhang, Emily Farrar, Charlotte Connell, Sneha Shanbhag, Neha Manaktala, Sue Satyro, Anna Lerner Nesbitt, Tracy Jin Cui, Katya Constant, Kritika Tyagi, Elena Maksimovich, Dominique Souris, Clementine Chambon, Courtney Savie Lawrence, Katharina Riederer 

Addressing these inequities requires targeted initiatives such as those at Cleantech Open (CTO), which has supported over 4,000 entrepreneurs, 76% of which have teams that include women and BIPOC members or leaders, in scaling their clean technology solutions. Cleantech Open Northeast, the Northeast region’s implementation of CTO, builds on this mission with a strong focus on community-building and mentorship tailored to the needs of early-stage entrepreneurs. CTO Northeast alumni, Tess Feigenbaum, Co-founder of Epic Renewal, stated, "Cleantech Open connected us to expert advisors ready to help us enact our vision, and surrounded us with other like-minded, driven entrepreneurs. Through the program, we were able to build on our idea to develop a strong storytelling approach and understand our work in the context of the greater field of cleantech." Cleantech Open Northeast is run by ACT (The Alliance for Climate Transition), which provides resources and support to women in cleantech, offering mentorship, funding opportunities, and networking events. These initiatives are instrumental in helping women overcome barriers and thrive in the industry. 

Browning the Green Space is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in clean energy and climate tech. The Advancing Climate Tech and Clean Energy Leaders (ACCEL) Program, is a collaboration between Greentown Labs and Browning the Green Space, supports BIWOC and women-led startups. ACCEL is currently in the middle of a year-long accelerator that combines startup acceleration with a curated curriculum, incubation at Greentown, and extensive mentorship from industry experts. Selected startups receive non-dilutive grant funding up to $25,000, access to over $1M in in-kind resources, and opportunities to present to investors and industry leaders. Their efforts are essential in facilitating a just energy transition by prioritizing Black and Brown communities. 

Words of Wisdom

The path to a truly sustainable future isn’t just about cleaner energy, but about more inclusive innovation. By fostering equitable hiring practices, expanding mentorship networks, and amplifying the voices of women in cleantech, we can fuel an environmentally and socially transformative transition. Women are already reshaping the industry with groundbreaking ideas and bold leadership, but lasting progress depends on continued action and support from investors, companies, and policymakers. It’s time to break down the barriers that hold women back and build a cleantech sector where everyone can thrive. Let’s power the future with equity at its core. 

To see real-world examples of women leading in the renewable energy space, check out this short video from Enel Green Power. It features women from around the world sharing advice and encouragement for future leaders in the field. It’s a quick but powerful reminder of diverse voices' impact in shaping a more sustainable future. 

“As a female founder in cleantech, I’ve had the unique privilege of driving innovation in an industry that demands bold solutions - while also challenging the status quo in traditionally male-dominated sectors like trucking. Building first-of-its-kind technology at the intersection of climate and logistics has been both a responsibility and a remarkable opportunity. Cleantech Open has equipped me with the tools, network, and confidence to push forward through any headwinds - and to keep scaling solutions that matter.”- Celine King, Founder & CEO of Green IRR Inc. 

Celine’s journey is a striking example of how women are not only contributing to cleantech, but also leading its transformation. Her story encourages the next generation to step up, stay resilient, and lead with purpose in building a more sustainable future.