Top Environmental Science Startups in 2026

Seed Health, Inc. is a microbial sciences company pioneering applications of bacteria to impact human and environmental health. In collaboration with leading academic partners, our foundry model accelerates breakthrough science to develop live biotherapeutics and consumer innovations. Our Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of leading scientists with expertise in microbiology, immunology, genetics, metabolomics, gastroenterology, pediatrics, environmental sciences, and women’s health. Learn more—seedhealth.com Our consumer portfolio, Seed®, develops next-generation probiotics for specific developmental stages and various ecosystems of the body—seed.com

Planet Alpha Corp. (“PαC”) is a carbon measurement infrastructure, carbon securities and carbon products company integrating multiple Earth, economic and social transactions to reduce emissions of CO2 and greenhouse gases (GHG) to benefit landowners, investors and the planet. We do good by directly supporting landowners for their reduction of CO2 emissions through forest growth and management resulting in a performance-linked GHG economy positioned for business growth and return on investment. PαC creates a new forest carbon business paradigm that pays landowners and Indigenous People, upfront and annually, for directly measured carbon sequestration and sustainable management over the lifetime of the project covering decadal intervals up to 100 years.

Lunar Outpost is the leader in commercial planetary robotics, enabling businesses and governments to explore and utilize the lunar surface with a focus on developing technologies that have both terrestrial and space applications. Comprised of engineers with experience working on NASA, defense, and commercial programs, Lunar Outpost is well suited to actively engage with customers in a collaborative manner to produce quality products. Lunar Outpost is enabling an extended human presence in space while positively impacting Earth and always striving toward #thenextleap!

EQLand is a cloud-based platform that helps you to monitor local, national and international environmental issues in real time. It provides a range of built-in tools for analyzing large amounts of data on environmental issues such as air quality, water quality and waste management. EQLand is for anyone who wants to know about the risks associatedwith any property or environment, so that they can make informed decisions about eco-friendly ways to manage those risks

NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 1.3 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. Worth Magazine has named NRDC one of America's 100 best charities, and the Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau reports that NRDC meets its highest standards for accountability and use of donor funds. NRDC was founded in 1970 by a group of law students and attorneys at the forefront of the environmental movement. NRDC lawyers helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws. Today, our staff of more than 300 lawyers, scientists and policy experts -- a MacArthur "genius"​ award-winner among them -- work out of offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.

cKinetics provides solutions in the areas of: 1. Capturing market data to provide actionable insight, information and analytics 2. Creating and implementing a resource blueprint and improving process efficiency 3. Providing access to capital for innovation and sustainability Some of our products can be seen at: comMIT.cKinetics.com CaliforniaCarbon.info

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., Brown and Caldwell is an employee-owned firm with 2,100+ professionals serving clients locally and globally from 52 locations. We are the largest engineering and construction firm solely focused on the U.S. water and environmental sectors. Our creative designs and progressive solutions have helped municipal, federal and private organizations overcome their most complex environmental challenges. We offer a comprehensive range of engineering, scientific, consulting and construction services and all the essential ingredients® for a successful project and a standout experience. We are passionate about delivering exceptional service, collaborating with clients, adding value through innovation and building relationships that last. This passion dates back to Ken Brown and Dave Caldwell, who, since founding the company in 1947, stood out for their ability to solve engineering challenges, apply technology to emerging environmental problems, and serve their community. Service, great technical solutions, innovation. These are the qualities our founders carried forward as the world changed and the company grew into what it is today. Now, more than 75 years later, these qualities are just as important – essential, really – to Brown and Caldwell and to our clients.

Amaratek provides specialized contract services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other government and commercial partners, with a focus on developing innovative technologies and practical solutions to complex technical challenges. Our work has included the development of biological systems for the neutralization of chemical warfare agents, including the successful delivery of a working system to the U.S. military. Our experience supporting defense-related programs has given our team a unique understanding of how to develop reliable technologies for demanding environments where performance, safety, and operational reliability are critical. We recognize that many of the capabilities and technical approaches developed for military applications can also provide significant value in civilian and humanitarian settings. Amaratek applies this experience to civil government and international projects where the need for resilient and dependable infrastructure often mirrors the challenges faced in defense environments. Areas such as public health, water treatment and management, energy systems, transportation, and environmental protection require many of the same principles of reliability, adaptability, and innovative problem-solving. In addition to our work with U.S. government agencies, Amaratek provides technical services and expertise to foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and social entrepreneurs. We work collaboratively with our partners to understand their specific challenges and develop practical, sustainable solutions that can be implemented in real-world environments. Our goal is to take the technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities developed through demanding defense and government projects and apply them more broadly to challenges that improve the resilience, safety, and quality of life of communities around the world.

OceanX is a mission to support scientists to explore the ocean and to bring it back to the world through captivating media. Uniting leading media, science, and philanthropy partners, OceanX utilizes next-gen technology, fearless science, compelling storytelling, and immersive experiences to educate, inspire, and connect the world with the ocean and build a global community deeply engaged with understanding, enjoying, and protecting our oceans. OceanX is an initiative of Dalio Philanthropies, which furthers the diverse philanthropic interests of Dalio family members. For more information, visit oceanx.org/and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). We are based in Kathmandu, Nepal and work in and for our eight regional member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. We work to improve the lives and livelihoods of men, women, and children of the HKH and protect mountain environments and cultures. The knowledge we create and share helps the people of the HKH become more resilient, make the most of new opportunities, and prepare for change. Our work strengthens regional cooperation for conservation and sustainable mountain development.