How One Ecosystem Leader Is Tracking, Guiding, and Accelerating Clean Technology Trends in a Changing World
In the race to solve the climate crisis, the road ahead can feel complex, high-stakes, and ever-shifting. That’s why innovators, investors, and adopters alike are turning to trusted sources like CleanTech Group—a leading authority on sustainable innovation—to understand where the world is headed and how we get there faster.
At a recent MassChallenge ClimateTech event, we spoke with Anthony DeOrsey, Research Manager at CleanTech Group, about what’s changing in the space, what’s giving him hope, and why partnerships like MassChallenge are essential to scaling impactful solutions.
Who Is CleanTech Group?
“We look at cleantech through the lenses of agriculture, energy, chemicals, natural resources, transportation, and waste and recycling,” Anthony explains. “My team works to produce insights for our research network—diving deep into technology trends and identifying how sustainable innovation will impact industrial markets.”
With a focus on helping investors, startups, and adopters make smarter decisions, CleanTech Group is not just tracking what’s next—they’re actively shaping it.
Why MassChallenge? A Gateway to Global Innovation
For CleanTech Group, MassChallenge represents more than just a program—it’s a launchpad for breakthrough climate solutions.
“MassChallenge is a global hub of innovation,” Anthony says. “It has a magnetic effect, bringing in cutting-edge companies from around the world and helping local Massachusetts startups launch onto the global stage.”
The CleanTech Group team is particularly enthusiastic about the latest Climate cohort, citing the quality of startups and the potential for long-term collaboration.
The Biggest Challenge: Becoming Adoptable, Not Just Innovative
In Anthony’s view, one of the most overlooked hurdles in climate innovation is bridging the gap between a better idea and an adoptable one.
“When you’re trying to drive a big-picture industry transition, it’s easy to assume the status quo will hold,” he explains. “But innovation is happening fast—costs are dropping, technologies are improving—and startups have to keep pace while convincing others to change.”
The key, he says, is balancing a forward-thinking vision with practical awareness: “Don’t just assume your innovation will outpace everyone else. The world around you is moving too.”
Where Momentum Comes From: Bold Bets and Deep Tech
Despite the challenges, Anthony is optimistic. What’s fueling that optimism? Risk takers.
“We’re seeing more entrepreneurs take risky bets—especially in hard tech and deep tech—and many of them are succeeding,” he says. “Five years ago, some of these ideas would’ve felt impossible. Today, they’re scaling.”
From early-stage clean energy storage to next-gen materials and carbon removal tech, founders are rewriting what’s possible—and getting the capital to make it real.
Looking to 2025: AI and Climate Innovation Collide
The intersection of AI and sustainability is what excites Anthony most about the year ahead.
“2025 is going to be the year where cleantech catches up to the AI revolution,” he predicts.
According to Anthony, this evolution is happening on two fronts:
- AI-powered Sustainability – Technologies that reduce the energy impact of AI infrastructure, from power management and cooling in data centers to more efficient computing and code.
- AI for CleanTech Development – Founders are already using AI to accelerate R&D, optimize hardware design, and enhance delivery. Some are even raising earlier and faster based on AI-enhanced efficiency.
“It’s impacting everything—hardware, software, fundraising—and it’s opening up a wave of new possibilities in climate innovation,” he adds.