Green Tech Startups: A bridge between science and sustainability

Climate change has emphasized the need for innovative approaches that can link scientific knowledge and effective environmental action. Green tech startups are emerging as key actors and assume a relevant role in bridging this challenging gap by integrating environmental protection objectives with the development of advanced digital technological solutions. They leverage emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to design and implement tools and platforms that enhance environmental monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and more sustainability practices. This research aims to explore how green tech startups seek to bridge scientific knowledge and the environment, and it focuses on two research questions: How do green tech startups link science and environmental goals? What could be the possible development trajectory of technology-based green innovation? The study examines the case of Pachama to analyze its technology-based business model, development trajectory of green innovation, and the key challenges encountered during its growth. Particular attention is devoted to assessing the principal implications associated with the acquisition of the company by Carbon Direct. The results highlight that through the integration of technological innovation and environmental objectives green tech startups contribute to the development of scalable solutions to complex climate-related problems. Theoretical and managerial considerations are developed, including insights for future research directions.