These six Dutch startups are among TIME’s top greentech companies

Six Dutch companies were selected for TIME’s list of top greentech companies of 2025. Cultured-meat pioneer Mosa Meat made it into the top ten, as Avantium, Lightyear, LeydenJar, Dott, and SolarDuck are also highlighted.

The American news magazine compiled the list with the data firm Statista. The analysis considered the positive impact, financial strength, and innovation of more than 8,000 companies developing products, services, or technologies to reverse the impact of human activities on the planet. The top 250 businesses made it to the list.

American battery aircraft maker BETA Technologies ranked first, followed by Swiss carbon capture company Climeworks, and US food company Apeel. But what about the Dutch companies selected? Here is how they are having a positive impact on the planet.

#10 Mosa Meat

Since its founding in 2016, the Maastricht-based company has been at the forefront of cultured meat research, after its founders previously introduced the world’s first cultivated burger in 2013. Mosa Meat grows meat cells in the lab, growing tissues in a nutrient-rich liquid, needing samples of cow cells as small as a peppercorn. This way, they can make animal cells with the same nutritional values without slaughtering animals, and without the greenhouse emissions connected to farming.

In its journey, the company secured €120 million in funding, including the backing of investors such as Google founder Sergey Brin and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Recently, the company raised another €3.8 million through crowdfunding. In January, Mosa Meat submitted its application for market approval under the European Union's Novel Foods regulations.

Mosa Meat submits first application for EU market approval

Mosa Meat takes an important step toward the European market.

#19 Avantium

Another Dutch company made it into the top 20: Avantium. The Amsterdam-headquartered company is active in developing bioplastics using renewable feedstocks. One of the company's main achievements is Releaf® (PEF), a 100% plant-based plastic offering performance and full recyclability.

In addition to its Amsterdam base, the company has three pilot plants across the country, including the furanic acid (FDCA) factory in Delfzijl. In announcing its 2024 results, Avantium also revealed that it will start commercial production of bioplastics this year and start selling both PEF and FDCA.

#70 Lightyear

The next Dutch disruptor in the ranking is Lightyear. The company developed a concept of a solar-powered car, which could extend its range by exploiting 5m² of solar panels on its roof, tail, and bonnet. Born from former students of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the company secured hundreds of pre-orders for its car, yet never managed to deliver.

After filing for bankruptcy in 2023, the company relaunched last year, thanks to a €10 million investment. Lightyear pivoted, focusing on developing solar roofs for cars, taking advantage of its extensive patent portfolio.

A second life: Lightyear raises €10 mln

Former automaker Lightyear is embarking on a second life. It raised €10 million in investment for further development of solar roofs.

#104 LeydenJar

Just out of the top 100 is LeydenJar. The company focuses on battery anodes–the battery’s positive electrode. Their anodes enable increased capacity and fast-charging capabilities. In addition, being 70% higher in energy density and up to tenfold thinner, this technology plans to pave the way to lighter and more compact devices, while slashing production climate outputs.

Earlier this year, the company announced it had produced batteries with its anode capable of delivering 500 charge-discharge cycles without requiring any external pressure, overcoming one of the key limitations. Meanwhile, LeydenJar is building its first factory plant in Eindhoven, set to start production next year.

#205 Dott

You have probably seen their bikes parked in the streets, or even used one: Dott is an urban mobility sharing company. The company is all in for reducing car usage in cities, reshaping transportation habits. In 2024, the company realized 100 million rides in 10 countries. Recently, Dott joined forces with another micromobility company, TIER, as the two players merged.

#238 SolarDuck

SolarDuck is the sixth selected company. The renewable energy startup works on floating solar power technology. The Rotterdam-based firm designed a triangular platform, which boasts higher stability to deliver offshore solar energy.

As the company aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 1 million tons by 2030 through its systems, it installed a pilot plant off the Dutch coast last year. At the same time, the company will deploy installations in Italy, and has already installed one in Japan.

SolarDuck and RWE install floating solar farm off the Dutch coast

The pilot plant, off the coast of Scheveningen, aims to collect knowledge for the development of offshore solar power.