Best Bioenergy Companies in United States
The 624 best Bioenergy companies in United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Enviva.
Ranking the top Bioenergy companies across the United States by disclosed equity funding and recent funding momentum, this directory covers 624 tracked firms carrying $7.2B in total disclosed capital. No unicorns here. What you do get is a sector where earned revenue tells a sharper story than valuations: across 15 validated filers, median revenue runs $43M with 14% YoY growth, and the combined revenue pool hits $2.1B. Renewable Energy Group leads that pool at $872M, up 82% year-over-year, which is the kind of number that reframes the whole conversation. Ameresco follows at $401M, and Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises at $214M. On the net income side, Renewable Energy Group posted $292M, roughly 107 times the sector median of $3M. The global bioenergy market sat at $147B in 2022, and government policy is a real structural tailwind here, with USDA, DOE, and the National Science Foundation among the sector's most active investors.
Hot themes right now are waste-to-biofuels, farm-based biorefineries, and crop residue energy, and as shown in 2014 research, feedstock diversity has long been central to scaling bioenergy economics. I'd flag that coverage momentum is flat even as deal flow ticks along globally, with a recent biogas placement signaling continued investor appetite for distributed energy models. The companies ranked below are sorted by funding and momentum so you can move straight to who's actually capitalized to grow.
- Bioenergy Market in the Renewable Electricity Industry to grow by USD
Ranked: Best Bioenergy companies in United States
| # | Company | Disclosed funding | Last round | Employees | Founded | Founder | Market signals (1y) | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enviva Wood pellets and chips manufacturer | $1.5B | 69 mo ago | 1,386 1,386 → 788 (-43%) | 2004 | Glenn Nunziata Interim Chief Executive Officer and CFO | — | — | 1 internship |
| 2 | NatureWorks Manufacturer of biobased polymers and fibers from renewable resources | $352M | 24 mo ago | 164 164 → 199 (+21%) | 2001 | Erik Ripple Chief Executive Officer | — | 269 patents Biodegradable polylactide resin formulations, fast‑hydrolyzing and branched polymers, plus foam processing. | 1 expansion |
| 3 | Fulcrum Bioenergy Provider of ethanol production solution from municipal solid waste 72Growth top 18%Funding top 19%Product top 23%Innovation top 31% All 11 signals ▾Growthtop 18% Fundingtop 19% Producttop 23% Innovationtop 31% Patentstop 33% Markettop 37% Moattop 40% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 42% Newsbottom 27% Techbottom 22% Growth: Headcount 85 → 129 (+52%) across vintages Funding: Raised $348M across 16 rounds · 16 rounds over 19 yrs (0.8/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 72/100 | $348M | 40 mo ago | 129 | 2007 | Eric Pryor CEO | — | 88 patents Waste-to-fuel feedstock processing and Fischer‑Tropsch synthesis technologies | — |
| 4 | Montana Renewables Provider of renewable energy services | $300M | 54 mo ago | — | 2021 | Todd Borgmann CEO | — | — | — |
| 5 | KiOR Biethanol and Bio Diesel manufacturer | $299M | 151 mo ago | 86 | 2007 | — | — | 546 patents Catalytic thermochemical conversion of biomass into renewable fuels and chemicals | — |
| 6 | Aventine Renewable Energy Bio ethanol producer and marketer | $275M | 244 mo ago | 201 | 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | BlueFire Renewables Provider of solutions to convert cellulosic waste into ethanol | $270M | 139 mo ago | 3 | 2006 | Arnold Klann CEO & President | — | — | — |
| 8 | Skyonic Technology to convert flue gas to baking soda | $246M | 144 mo ago | 51 | 2005 | — | — | 101 patents Magnesium‑hydroxide CO₂ capture, thermolytic acid‑gas removal, and water‑recycling processes. | — |
| 9 | Altra Biofuels Manufacturer of custom aerosol and liquid packaging solutions | $166M | 227 mo ago | — | 2006 | Kenneth DeCubellis President & CEO | — | — | — |
| 10 | Amp Americas Developer of renewable natural gas (RNG) from dairy farm waste | $157M | 15 mo ago | 16 | 2011 | Steve Josephs Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 11 | Velocys Gas to liquid technologies for natural gas and biomass | $147M | 28 mo ago | 39 | 2001 | David Pummell CEO | 3 signals ▲50% Contracts | 614 patents Patents concentrated in transport & manufacturing processes | — |
| 12 | Poet Develop natural, renewable food sources and alternatives to petrochemicals. | $141M | 15 mo ago | 1,647 1,647 → 1,942 (+18%) | 1983 | Jeff Broin Founder & CEO | 3 signals ▲50% M&A · Acquisition | 6 patents Patents concentrated in computing, sensing & instrumentation | 1 expansion |
| 13 | Mascoma Technology provider for Bioethanol | $138M | 160 mo ago | 547 | 2005 | Lee Lynd Co-Founder & Director | — | 178 patents Engineered microbes for lignocellulosic biofuel and biochemical production | — |
| 14 | Imperium Renewables Manufactures unblended biodiesel | $113M | 141 mo ago | 63 | 2004 | Randy Howard CEO | — | — | — |
| 15 | FutureFuel Chemical Company Manufacturer of specialty and custom chemicals, including biodiesel 42Product top 14%Funding top 31%Moat top 32%Tech top 36% All 12 signals ▾Producttop 14% Fundingtop 31% Moattop 32% Techtop 36% Innovationtop 37% Patentstop 39% Partnerstop 45% Markettop 50% Newsbottom 41% Globalbottom 33% Fin. healthbottom 33% Growthbottom 32% Product: 7 distinct product lines · Company stage: Public Funding: Raised $108M across 7 rounds · 7 rounds over 17 yrs (0.4/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 42/100 | $108M | 15 mo ago | 472 472 → 279 (-41%) | 1920 | — | 14 signals ▼52% Earnings · Leadership · Buyback | 54 patents Production and application of sulfonated aromatic acid salts for polymer modification | 1 job opening |
| 16 | Virent Energy Developer of renewable fuels and chemicals from plant-based sugars | $103M | 150 mo ago | 36 | 2002 | — | — | 83 patents Catalytic deoxygenation of biomass-derived oxygenates to produce C4+ liquid fuel hydrocarbons | — |
| 17 | Renewable Energy Group Developer of biofuels and chemicals for industrial use | $100M | 176 mo ago | 895 895 → 610 (-32%) | 2006 | Cynthia Warner CEO | — | 214 patents Renewable hydrocarbon fuel production from biomass via biodiesel and diesel synthesis | 1 partnership · 2 expansions |
| 18 | Rive Technology Catalyst technology developer | $84M | 116 mo ago | 32 | 2006 | — | — | 41 patents Manufacturing mesoporous zeolites for catalytic and adsorption applications | — |
| 19 | NEXT Renewable Fuels Provider of biofuel production services 13Funding top 34%Global bottom 36%News bottom 32%Market bottom 20% All 4 signals ▾Fundingtop 34% Globalbottom 36% Newsbottom 32% Marketbottom 20% Funding: Raised $78.2M across 7 rounds · 7 rounds over 7 yrs (1.0/yr) Global: Investors from 1 country beyond United States rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 13/100 | $78M | 5 mo ago | 10 | 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 20 | Gevo Provider of renewable gasoline & diesel, animal feed & protein, and other products | $70M | 13 mo ago | 89 89 → 128 (+44%) | 2005 | Patrick Gruber CEO and Board Member | 4 signals ▼67% Acquisition · Announcements · Leadership | 404 patents Microbial production of advanced biofuels and catalytic upgrading of renewable bio‑oil streams | 1 launch |
| 21 | Encina Developer of bioenergy plant | $63M | 33 mo ago | 32 | 2016 | — | — | — | 1 partnership |
| 22 | Ameresco Developer of energy efficiency, storage, and renewable natural gas 69Partners top 18%News top 22%Product top 22%Talent top 25% All 14 signals ▾Partnerstop 18% Newstop 22% Producttop 22% Talenttop 25% Markettop 30% Fundingtop 30% Fin. healthtop 32% Growthtop 38% Techtop 46% Moattop 47% Patentstop 49% Innovationbottom 44% Globalbottom 32% Customersbottom 7% Partners: 5 contract events in 12 mo · Named contractor/client in 5 deals News: 24 BI events in 12 mo (of 222 tracked, 9 types) · +71% YoY rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 69/100 | $40M | 7 mo ago | 1,126 | 2000 | David Anderson Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor | 24 signals ▲71% Leadership · Earnings · Contracts | 4 patents Density-gradient separation systems for liquid-phase purification and biotech processing | — |
| 23 | ERT Developer of bioenergy projects | $34M | 35 mo ago | 26 | 2008 | — | — | — | 1 job opening |
| 24 | Viridos Provider of biofuels services | $25M | 39 mo ago | 108 | 2005 | Craig Venter Founder | — | 43 patents Genetically engineered microalgae for enhanced biomass and lipid production for biofuels | — |
| 25 | Western Iowa Energy Producer of biodiesel fuel from multiple feedstocks | $20M | 15 mo ago | 30 | 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 26 | Optimus Technologies Biodiesel conversion kits | $18M | 38 mo ago | 23 | 2010 | Colin Huwyler CEO | — | 74 patents Healthcare facility automation and alternative fuel optimization systems | — |
| 27 | California Ethanol & Power Provider of bioethanol and electricity generation from sugarcane | $16M | 41 mo ago | 2 | 2007 | David Rubenstein President | — | — | 1 partnership · 1 expansion · 3 awards |
| 28 | Lignetics Manufacturer of renewable wood products | $15M | 15 mo ago | 506 | 1983 | — | — | 7 patents Biomass densification additives for clumping and handling of organic feedstocks | — |
| 29 | Biosphere Provider of fermentation process development and contract manufacturing 10Funding top 44%Moat bottom 49%Talent bottom 49%Patents bottom 37% All 8 signals ▾Fundingtop 44% Moatbottom 49% Talentbottom 49% Patentsbottom 37% Techbottom 36% Globalbottom 31% Innovationbottom 26% Marketbottom 16% Funding: Raised $8.8M across 1 rounds · 1 rounds over 1 yrs (1.0/yr) Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 1/10 · IP moat: 9 patents rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 10/100 | $9M | 17 mo ago | — | 2015 | Brian Heligman Co-Founder & CEO | — | 9 patents Flexible-to-rigid packaging conversion and extrusion molding for food/consumer product containers | — |
| 30 | Western Plains Energy Provider of radio and digital advertising services | $9M | 23 mo ago | 37 | 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 31 | Ever Cat Fuels Manufactures biodiesel | $5M | 15 mo ago | 12 | 2007 | Clayton McNeff Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 32 | Lincolnway Energy Producer of ethanol and co-products from corn | $5M | 15 mo ago | 19 | 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 33 | Blue Bio Fuels Producer of bio-fuels | $5M | 7 mo ago | 7 | 2011 | Benjamin Slager CEO | — | — | 2 partnerships |
| 34 | Incobrasa Soybean processor and biodiesel manufacturer | $4M | 15 mo ago | 201 | 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 35 | Ecotone Renewables Developer of bioenergy project | $4M | 24 mo ago | 17 | 2016 | Dylan Lew CEO | — | 5 patents Automated conversion of food waste into biofuels and biochemicals | — |
| 36 | Heartwood Biomass Sustainable wood products supporting forest restoration and community economic health | $3M | 8 mo ago | 2 | 2021 | — | — | — | 2 job openings |
| 37 | Pacific Biodiesel Multi-feedstock technology developer for biodiesel | $3M | 15 mo ago | 54 | 1995 | Robert King CEO | — | — | — |
| 38 | Heliobiosys Developer of cyanobacteria-based cosmetic ingredients 29Moat top 38%Patents top 47%Funding top 50%Talent bottom 45% All 6 signals ▾Moattop 38% Patentstop 47% Fundingtop 50% Talentbottom 45% Innovationbottom 40% Globalbottom 31% Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 4/10 · IP moat: 9 patents Patents: 9 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 3 filings since 2022 vs 2 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 29/100 | $3M | 9 mo ago | — | 2010 | David Smernoff Co-Founder | — | 9 patents Patents concentrated in chemistry & materials | — |
| 39 | RTI International Research institute for improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice | $2M | 5 mo ago | 3,369 3,369 → 6,599 (+96%) | 1958 | Tim Gabel President and CEO | 3 signals Layoffs | — | — |
| 40 | Quasar Energy Group Anaerobic digestion systems innovator for biomass management and nutrient services 24Funding top 49%Market bottom 46%Global bottom 29% All 3 signals ▾Fundingtop 49% Marketbottom 46% Globalbottom 29% Funding: Raised $2.4M across 2 rounds · 2 rounds over 18 yrs (0.1/yr) Market: 50 employees (top 46% of Waste & Water Management) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 24/100 | $2M | 13 mo ago | 50 | 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 41 | Western Dubuque Biodiesel Biodiesel production supporting agriculture, renewable resources, and energy independence | $2M | 15 mo ago | 24 | 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 42 | Energy CX Provider of biofuel technology and energy consulting services | $2M | 15 mo ago | 47 | 2005 | — | — | 1,199 patents Patents concentrated in construction | 1 job opening · 3 awards |
| 43 | PCC Hydrogen Developer of bio-energy projects | $2M | 5 mo ago | 2 | 2022 | Tim Fogarty CEO | — | 14 patents Integrated oxidative reforming and water electrolysis for on‑site hydrogen production from hydrocarbons | — |
| 44 | Homeland Energy Solutions Manufacturer of ethanol and its co-products, focused on enhancing returns to stakeholders and surrounding… | $1M | 11 mo ago | 54 | 2005 | Telly Papasimakis President & CEO | — | — | — |
| 45 | Conestoga Energy Producer of faith-based cultural and political commentary podcasts and media | $1M | 15 mo ago | 102 | 2005 | Tom Willis CEO | 6 signals Acquisition · Regulatory · Leadership | — | 1 job opening |
| 46 | Mid Missouri Energy Operator of a corn-based ethanol plant producing renewable fuel products | $1M | 11 mo ago | — | 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 47 | Al Corn Clean Fuel Producer of ethanol and livestock feed from corn | $761K | 15 mo ago | 95 | 1994 | — | — | — | — |
| 48 | Farm Power Provider of anaerobic manure digester services for dairy farms | $680K | 15 mo ago | 4 | 2007 | Kevin Maas Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 49 | United Ethanol Provider of construction and infrastructure services | $393K | 13 mo ago | — | 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 50 | Montauk Renewables Operator of facilities converting biogas into renewable energy sources | $231K | 15 mo ago | 54 | 2007 | — | — | 8 patents Continuous-feed electric endothermic reactors for renewable chemical production | — |
Top 12 Bioenergy companies in United States
#1
Series A · Portland, Oregon · founded 2018 · 10 employees$78.2Mraised▾
Provider of biofuel production services
- Dec 2025Series A$499K
- Dec 2023Series A$150K
- May 2023Series A$3M
- Apr 2023Series A$75M
#2
Public · Framingham, Massachusetts · founded 2000 · 1126 employees$39.9Mraised▾
Developer of energy efficiency, storage, and renewable natural gas
- Oct 2025Grant (prize money)$39.9M
#3
Acquired · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2011 · 16 employees$156.8Mraised▾
Developer of renewable natural gas (RNG) from dairy farm waste. This company develops and operates on-farm dairy RNG projects, sources and markets RNG to large fleet customers, and partners with dairy farmers to increase ultra-low carbon intensity gas production. The company received certification for its dairy waste-to-vehicle fuel pathway and achieved a low carbon intensity score. Its business model focuses on converting agricultural waste into a sustainable transportation fuel.
- Feb 2025Grant (prize money)$53.9K
- Jul 2019Series B$75M
- Aug 2017Series B$47M
- Jul 2014Series A$32M
#4
Public · Englewood, Colorado · founded 2005 · 89 employees$69.5Mraised▾
Provider of renewable gasoline & diesel, animal feed & protein, and other products
- Apr 2025Grant (prize money)$30.1M
- Jan 2021Post IPO—
- Feb 2020Grant (prize money)$104.5K
- Mar 2013Post IPO$545K
#5
Public · Clayton, California · founded 1920 · 472 employees$108.3Mraised▾
Manufacturer of specialty and custom chemicals, including biodiesel. This entity provides custom toll manufacturing services, developing and scaling processes from laboratory to full production. They offer analytical services and quality control, ensuring product quality. A focus on environmental sustainability guides their operations. The company also produces a line of performance chemicals for various market applications, including detergents, coatings, and polymers.
- Feb 2025Grant (prize money)$209.8K
- Sep 2011Grant (prize money)—
- Sep 2011Grant (prize money)$750.7K
- Sep 2011Grant (prize money)$1.5M
#6
Series C · Sioux Falls, South Dakota · founded 1983 · 1647 employees$141.3Mraised▾
POET produces ethanol and other biorefined products. Its products include biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol and cellulosic ethanol; animal feed, oil and lubricants and specialty chemicals. The company also extracts corn oil or proteins used to produce biodiesel. POET was formerly known as Broin Companies and changed its name in March 2007.
#7
Public · Palm Beach Gardens, Florida · founded 2011 · 7 employees$4.7Mraised▾
Producer of bio-fuels
- Nov 2025Post IPO$250K
- Nov 2024Post IPO$197K
- Sep 2024Grant (prize money)$1.1M
- Jul 2023Grant (prize money)—
#8
Funding Raised · Research Triangle Park, North Carolina · founded 1958 · 3369 employees$2.4Mraised▾
Research institute for improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice
- Dec 2025Grant (prize money)$500K
- Dec 2025Grant (prize money)$1.9M
#9
Seed · Louisville, Kentucky · founded 2022 · 2 employees$1.7Mraised▾
Developer of bio-energy projects
- Dec 2025Seed$844.1K
- Sep 2024Grant (prize money)$598.2K
- Aug 2023Grant (prize money)$274.9K
#10
Series A · Wall Lake, Iowa · founded 2004 · 30 employees$20Mraised▾
Producer of biodiesel fuel from multiple feedstocks. This involves a specialized pre-treatment facility allowing for flexibility in raw materials. The resulting biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel with minimal emissions, offering both economic and environmental benefits. The production process adheres to high safety standards, employing highly trained personnel and maintaining BQ9000 certification.
- Feb 2025Grant (prize money)$89.9K
- Sep 2011Grant (prize money)$990.8K
- Sep 2011Grant (prize money)$698.6K
- Jan 2010Grant (prize money)$300K
#11
Seed · Wallowa, Oregon · founded 2021 · 2 employees$3.2Mraised▾
Sustainable wood products supporting forest restoration and community economic health. The company transforms underutilized wood into valuable resources like firewood, poles, and clean energy. This process aids forest restoration initiatives, mitigates wildfire risks, and minimizes waste, all while bolstering employment in a resource-dependent rural area. The company's products support restorative forest management, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy. They are committed to environmental stewardship and community development through responsible wood utilization. Their business model has a social impact by promoting healthy forests and sustainable livelihoods.
- Oct 2025Seed$2.2M
- Sep 2023Grant (prize money)$737.1K
- Nov 2022Grant (prize money)$236.7K
#12
Funding Raised · San Francisco, California · founded 2010$2.6Mraised▾
Developer of cyanobacteria-based cosmetic ingredients. It harnesses the unique properties of cyanobacteria to produce UV protective, anti-inflammatory, and naturally moisturizing compounds for the cosmetics industry. The company's technology leverages the bacteria's ability to efficiently produce these materials using only sunlight, air, and seawater, resulting in sustainable and environmentally friendly ingredients. Its team comprises scientists with expertise in bio-production, biotechnology, and the cosmetics sector. The company holds several patents related to its cultivation and purification processes.
- Sep 2025Grant (prize money)$1.1M
- Jul 2023Grant (prize money)$1M
- Feb 2020Grant (prize money)$225K
- Aug 2016Grant (prize money)$200K
Funding & investor landscape
Notable founders
Market landscape — 10 sub-themes by coverage
Share of Bioenergy coverage by sub-theme.
Regulatory-risk over time rising
Funding & growth over time
funding rising · growth rising
How research on Bioenergy & Biofuels is moving in the United States
A read on the academic research around Bioenergy & Biofuels — which themes are gaining ground, the institutions and researchers driving them, and how the tone is shifting. Based on 5,349 United States-affiliated papers.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign260
- Michigan State University202
- National Laboratory of the Rockies181
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory177
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory165
- Biomass (ecology)38→112
- Raw material7→49
- Renewable energy3→41
- Biodiesel13→51
- Bioproducts3→40
- Biomass (ecology)172→668
- Biodiesel54→381
- Raw material45→289
- Renewable energy22→249
- Waste management16→223
- Biomass (ecology)107→202
- Renewable energy33→109
- Waste management15→83
- Greenhouse gas38→97
- Production (economics)25→69
Where bioenergy biofuels is researched across United States
Location clusters by institution affiliation — each city's volume, stance tone, and a quick read on its hot topic, what's advancing, the opening opportunity, and the main concern.
Who's filing bioenergy biofuels patents in the United States
United States bioenergy biofuels patent filing is cooling — 764 filings from 1,479 assignees (2016–2025), led by UNIV California, Exxonmobil RES & ENG, Shell OIL; annual filings 140→50.
- UNIV California98
- Exxonmobil RES & ENG87
- Shell OIL74
- Renewable Energy Group52
- Chevron USA48
- KIOR45
- Heliae DEV42
- UOP36
Common questions
Riya reads income statements for fun. She covers the real money in a sector — revenue, growth, who actually earns — and never met a vague claim she didn't want a number for.