Energy and climate
Energy and climate: the closure stories and lessons of 26 startups.
26 startups
Ascend Elements
It turned spent batteries into new cathode material until grants, demand and prices all moved against it
Closed2004 – 2025Danimer Scientific
Danimer made biodegradable plastic from bacteria: from a USD 4.9 billion stock boom to a USD 19 million sale
Closed2016 – 2025Li-Cycle
Battery recycling's rising star ran out of cash at the Rochester plant it could never finish
Closed2015 – 2025Northvolt
The Swedish manufacturer that aimed to become Europe's electric-vehicle battery giant
Closed2012 – 2025Sunnova Energy
A Houston company that financed rooftop solar: Chapter 11 with USD 8.9 billion of debt
Closed2019 – 2023Britishvolt
The start-up that set out to build an electric-vehicle battery gigafactory in the north of England
Closed2013 – 2022Bulb Energy
Britain's fast-growing green energy supplier: rescued by the state after the 2021 gas shock
Closed2010 – 2015QBotix
The solar tracking system that turned panels with robots running on rails, and never found its footing
Closed2005 – 2011Solyndra
An energy start-up backed by a federal loan guarantee that made cylindrical thin-film solar panels
Closed2014 – 2026Morrow Batteries
Norwegian company
Closed2000 – 2021npower
UK-based electricity generator and supplier of gas and electricity
Closed1998 – 2019Nitol Solar
Russian company involved in Solar energy
Closed2012 – 2019Philadelphia Energy Solutions
Energy and climate
Closed2005 – 2017Cobalt International Energy
Energy and climate
Closed2007 – 2016Solar Euromed
Concentrated solar power technology
Closed2006 – 2016SolarCity
American provider of energy services
Closed2001 – 2014HelioVolt
Solar energy company
Closed1998 – 2014Pelamis Wave Power
Scottish wave technology company
Closed1997 – 2014Roc Oil Company
Based in Sydney, Australia
Closed2007 – 2014Virgin Green Fund
Renewable energy investment firm
Closed2003 – 2014WIRCON Group
International solar energy provider
Closed2002 – 2013Nanosolar
Developer of solar power technology based in San Jose, CA
Closed1993 – 2012Petroplus
Company
Closed2006 – 2011Kyoto Energy
Renewable energy company
Closed2006 – 2011Range Fuels
Energy and climate
Closed1998 – 2011Solar Millennium
Company
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This section is compiled from public sources (Wikidata, news archives and company announcements). Figures are given as they appear in those sources; unknown fields are left blank. If you spot a mistake in an entry, you can send us a correction.