Top Environmental Science Startups in 2026

Karen Clark & Company (KCC) is the innovation and technology leader in catastrophe risk modeling. KCC professionals are globally recognized experts in catastrophe modeling and risk management. From our headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, we provide advanced models, innovative software, and comprehensive consulting services to (re)insurance company executives nationwide. These services enhance business strategies, and the financial results put our clients at a competitive advantage. KCC catastrophe models currently cover tropical cyclones, extratropical cyclones, severe convective storms, floods, earthquakes, winter storms, and wildfires in over 50 countries. For more information, please visit kcc.us.com.

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.

Open Earth Foundation is a California-based research and deployment non-profit developing open innovative technology to increase planetary resilience and avoid a catastrophic climate crisis. We are building open infrastructure for the Paris Agreement, energy finance, biodiversity tracking, and other critical problems. We are a diverse international team, working remotely with a network of collaborators and partners globally, from the United Nations to startups.

Zenero helps consumer brands measure, verify, and communicate environmental impact with credibility. We deliver product-level Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), power Digital Product Passports (DPPs), and provide compliance-ready carbon labels at scale. The standard for carbon labelling, built for sustainable brands and conscious consumers.