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September 10, 2026

7 geothermal startups to watch in 2026, according to VCs

VCs are eyeing startups working to improve drilling costs and provide Europe with more sovereign energy

Anne Sraders

5 min read

As geopolitical tensions have reached precarious levels in 2026, European founders and VCs are setting their sights on technologies that could bolster the continent's sovereign access to things like energy and critical minerals. 

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Leo Allgoewer of Aenu. Photo: Aenu's website
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Erin Hallock. Photo: Nato Innovation Fund.
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Thomas Geihm of Underground Ventures. Courtesy of Geihm
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Christian Miele
Christian Miele of Headline.
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Anne Sraders

Anne Sraders is a senior reporter at Sifted, based in Berlin. She covers the VC industry and deeptech startups. She also writes Sifted's weekly VC newsletter Up Round. Follow her on X and LinkedIn

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