Photo from TERA-Award
The effects of climate change are becoming harder to ignore, from extreme weather to rising energy demands. But alongside these challenges is a powerful opportunity to rethink how the world is powered.
Around the world, entrepreneurs are creating clean technologies that cut pollution, protect communities, and open new pathways for sustainable growth. To turn this wave of climate innovation into lasting change, we need to spotlight the startups driving it and give them the tools and connections they need to scale.
That is where the TERA-Award plays a vital role. Now in its fourth edition, the platform provides promising climate technologies with the spotlight, connections, and funding they need to grow faster and reach more people.
This year, New Energy Nexus China helped bring some of the best ideas to the table. Out of a record-breaking 785 entries, nine of the 28 finalists were startups we recommended – including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, plus five Merit Award recipients. Together, they took home over US$1.15 million in prizes and, more importantly, the resources and networks to turn their solutions into global impact.
The winning startups
Gold Winner – Barocal (United Kingdom)
Barocal is transforming cooling and heating by replacing harmful refrigerant gases with solid-state materials. Developed over 15 years at the University of Cambridge, the technology delivers higher efficiency, lower costs, and lower emissions, tackling major environmental challenges head-on.
Its retrofit-friendly design integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure, making it easier for industries to adopt greener, more cost-effective systems.
“Build better products, not just greener ones… If you can offer solutions that are cheaper, smaller, faster, or more flexible and more sustainable, you’re in business.” – Florian Schabus, CCO
Photo from Barocal
Silver Winner – Feon Energy (United States)
Feon Energy is reinventing battery electrolytes with novel molecules that make batteries safer, more powerful, and more energy-dense – without raising costs or disrupting manufacturing. Its drop-in technology is proving itself today in high-performance markets such as drones and UAVs, and is already being developed with partners in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
With the potential to boost energy density by 50% while cutting lithium use by up to 40%, Feon is accelerating adoption across the battery industry and building trust through real-world validation and long-term collaboration.
“For the first time in human history, we have the tools to engineer our environment and our planet’s future, not just adapt to it… The impact you create can shape the world for generations to come.” – Wenxiao Huang, CEO and co-founder
Photo from Feon Energy
Bronze Winner – Syzygy Plasmonics (United States)
Syzygy Plasmonics uses a plasmonic photocatalyst to drive chemical reactions with light instead of heat from combustion. Their NovaSAF platform transforms biogas from landfills or dairy farms into sustainable aviation fuel, tackling emissions from both waste and air travel.
Highly energy-efficient and made from low-cost materials, the technology offers an accessible and scalable path to decarbonizing aviation, while unlocking value from underused resources.
“Expect that things won’t work immediately and you will have to try again and again… If you do not give up and you do not get discouraged, eventually you will find success.” – Trevor Best, CEO
Photo from Syzygy Plasmonics
Beyond the podium finishers, five out of 11 Merit Awardees were also recommended by New Energy Nexus China:
Why it matters
For three years, New Energy Nexus China has partnered with the TERA-Award to connect it with our global network, promote the competition, and help bring advanced green energy solutions to market. This year, the startups that won through our pipeline did not only bring home huge prizes – they’ve proven that when entrepreneurs get the right support, their ideas can reach the global stage and have a far greater impact than where they started.
At New Energy Nexus, we build ecosystems that help climate tech entrepreneurs thrive. That means giving them access to mentorship, funding, technical expertise, and markets where their solutions can make a difference. With entrepreneurs like TERA-Award leading the way, backed by our programs across the world, we’re fast-tracking the shift to 100% clean energy for all.
Ready to unlock your own startup’s potential? Find out how we can support you here.