There are many organisations, regulators, government departments and companies that are contributing thoughts and action to address the threat of climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emission. Many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are also playing an important role in developing important solutions to global environmental challenges.
Some of these solutions make a big difference and some have the capacity to be ground-breaking; and so nurturing the system that sustains innovation and the SMEs that bring new solutions to market is a key factor in the health of our economy as well as in contributing to the threat of climate change.
At Oxford Innovation, we are proud to have supported a wide range of small businesses that are developing pioneering technologies to tackle not just energy consumption and carbon emissions, but pollution, waste, sustainability and climate change. As we mark Earth Day (22 April 2025), I wanted to showcase just a few of the incredible innovators we have had the pleasure of working with over the last few years.
EcoSync
EcoSync in Oxford accessed investment from Oxford Innovation Finance’s EIS Growth Fund and Angel Investment Network, OION. EcoSync deploys its cloud-based energy management technology in commercial buildings to reduce their heating bills and carbon footprint by up to 50%. Having made significant progress installing devices within higher education buildings, EcoSync is now building traction within the leisure and public sectors. Read more about EcoSync’s business journey
Albotherm
Using polymer chemistry that can switch between opaque and transparent, Albotherm has developed a low carbon cooling coating for glass surfaces. The reversible coating provides shade in high temperatures and allows sunlight through in lower temperatures. Its innovative technology has a significant impact as a net zero approach to temperature regulation, with the potential to replace energy intensive cooling systems. The company successfully raised investment through Oxford Innovation Finance and is based in the Future Space Innovation Centre in Bristol, which is managed by Oxford Innovation Space. Read more about Albotherm’s business journey
FA Bio
FA Bio in Hertfordshire is developing game-changing solutions to soil degradation and sustainable farming practices. To help FA Bio’s founders Angela de Manzanos and Kerry Weaver realise their vision for the company, they accessed a network of support through Oxford Innovation. They received one-to-one specialist support and grant funding through Oxford Innovation Advice and successfully raised investment through Oxford Innovation Finance to develop their technology and overcome challenges. Read more about FA Bio’s business journey
Cleaner Seas Group
Cleaner Seas Group in Cornwall is an innovative, purpose-driven green-tech company with a global solution to the issue of microplastics and microplastic pollution in our oceans. The team at Cleaner Seas Group have been supported on their journey by Oxford Innovation Advice through the Access to Finance programme, which helped the company secure grant funding and undertake a successful crowdfunding campaign. Support that has helped the company to grow, raise awareness of its domestic filter (known as Indi) that can be retro-fitted to any washing machine to capture microfibres, develop an industrial filter, form partnerships with white goods companies and look at export opportunities. Learn more about Cleaner Seas Group’s business journey
Ultimately, SMEs have the potential to make a significant positive contribution not just to local and national economies, but also the planet. And there are plenty of entrepreneurs out there with great ideas and innovations, but they need access to the right support and finance at the right time to be able to thrive.
David Crichton-Miller, Group CEO
