Impact Startups to Raise Millions at ChangeNOW 2025

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a movement gaining serious traction across global markets. At the forefront are impact startups, now seeking a record €1.5 billion in funding at ChangeNOW 2025, the world’s biggest expo dedicated to climate solutions.

Since the event’s early days in 2018, the average funding request by participating startups has surged from just €200,000 to a whopping €3 million. This sharp rise reflects not only the growing ambition of founders but also the urgency to tackle climate and social challenges with scalable, tech-driven solutions.

From April 24–26, 2025, the Grand Palais in Paris will host over 40,000 attendees from 140 countries. With more than 1,200 investors and 10,000 businesses expected, ChangeNOW promises to be a game-changing platform for innovation, partnerships, and capital.

€3M Average Raises: Ambitious Climate Tech Takes Center Stage

Back in 2020, startups at ChangeNOW were asking for about €1 million. Fast-forward to 2025, and that number has tripled. Impact ventures today are not just early-stage ideas—they’re mature solutions ready to scale. Whether it’s next-gen solar panels, circular economy tech, or biodiversity preservation tools, founders are raising bigger rounds to meet larger ambitions.

This funding growth underlines a broader shift: solving climate issues now demands serious capital. Investors are responding in kind, and ChangeNOW has become the prime venue to connect high-potential startups with high-impact capital.

Investor Spotlight: Exclusive Access to Top-Tier Climate Deals

For investors looking to tap into climate innovation, ChangeNOW 2025 offers curated access to some of the most promising ventures in Europe and beyond. Key highlights include:

303 European climate tech startups showcasing innovations from solar-powered vehicles to coastal protection systems.
Live pitch sessions where 15 impact-driven funds, including Marvelous Deeptech, Juniper VC, and Synapsis VC, will present to limited partners.
Funds for Change program connecting 30+ family offices and LPs like Swen Capital Partners with emerging GPs.
Investor-only networking with handpicked meetings, private sessions, and direct connections to founders and deal leads.

It’s a dealmaker’s dream, designed to fast-track investments into real-world climate solutions.

A Launchpad for Impact Startups to Scale and Grow

Startups joining ChangeNOW won’t just be pitching—they’ll gain direct access to the resources and relationships needed to accelerate their mission. With over 1,000 planet-positive solutions on display, founders can expect:

Face time with global investors actively scouting scalable impact models.
Business development opportunities, thanks to pre-arranged lead introductions and reduced prospecting time.
Growth resources, including access to accelerators, advisory services, and digital transformation tools tailored for climate and social impact ventures.

Whether bootstrapped or Series A-ready, ChangeNOW gives startups the visibility to grow and the tools to thrive.

Driving Action on the Planet’s Toughest Challenges

Beyond funding and networking, ChangeNOW 2025 is also a rallying point for action. The event sets the stage for tackling some of the world’s most urgent problems, with sessions exploring:

Bridging the impact funding gap by helping startups scale with long-term backing.
AI for sustainability, showcasing how artificial intelligence is powering eco-innovation and transforming industries.
Strengthening Europe’s tech sovereignty, with a focus on climate leadership and digital independence.
Climate diplomacy and ocean conservation, positioning the event as a critical precursor to global summits like COP30 and the UN Ocean Conference.

With so much momentum ahead of these global milestones, ChangeNOW serves as a vital moment to align capital, innovation, and policy.