When a studio grows, it usually means something’s working. In Yugen’s case, it means a whole lot of climate founders are reaching out and fast. After a whirlwind year supporting more than 50 early-stage startups, and helping raise over $19 million, Yugen is doing what any smart, purpose-led studio would do: they’re expanding their creative team.
So, Why the Big Move?
Here’s the thing: climate tech is having a moment. From carbon capture to clean energy to next-gen food systems, founders are building wildly ambitious companies. Capital is flowing in. Urgency is in the air.
But there’s a catch. Many of these startups still struggle to explain what they do in a way that actually lands. You’ve probably heard it: “We have the science, but our story isn’t clicking.” And that’s where Yugen shines.
They’ve carved out a reputation for helping climate startups show up with the clarity, confidence, and creative edge investors look for. As the momentum picked up, they knew they needed more hands (and heads) in the room.
“We’ve seen a surge of founders applying to Bloom,” says Yugen’s leadership team, referencing their flagship six-week startup branding sprint for early age startups. “They don’t just want design. They want storytelling, strategy, and soul. That kind of work doesn’t come from a template.”
Meet the New Faces
The expanded team brings in a fresh wave of talent: strategists, copywriters, designers, and storytellers with deep roots in climate, social impact, and brand-building. These aren’t just creatives for hire. They’re people who’ve worked inside clean tech firms, built campaigns for green startups, and translated scientific data into investor-ready narratives.
Together, they bring both creative chops and climate context, a combo that’s surprisingly hard to find.
What’s Fueling All This?
If you’ve been watching Yugen’s rise, you’ve probably heard about Bloom. It’s their sprint-style branding package for early age startups that delivers everything needed to go from brandless to investable in just six weeks. A bold brand identity, a high-converting website, and an investor-ready pitch deck. Fast, focused, and deeply hands-on.
For most founders, the early days are all about proving legitimacy.Bloom alumni have landed millions in funding and entered investor meetings with the confidence, clarity, and credibility of true category leaders.
Take Airhive as an example. The DAC (direct air capture) startup worked with Yugen and ended up as a finalist in the $100M XPRIZE Carbon Removal Challenge. The tech was complex, but Yugen helped shape a story that made it simple, urgent, and investable.
What This Means for Founders
So, what does this creative expansion actually do for clients? For one, it means faster turnarounds. More brain power. And stronger creative partnerships at every stage of the journey.
Also, more flexibility. As Yugen grows, they’re exploring ways to serve founders in more regions. Innovation is everywhere, even if funding and creative support aren’t.
Plus, founders won’t just get a team that executes a brief. They’ll get collaborators who help shape the brief, challenge assumptions, and build something that actually feels like them.
What’s Next
This isn’t just about headcount. Yugen looking ahead, thinking about how to grow with intention. That means:
- Bringing in voices from underrepresented communities
- Investing in motion, digital, and interactive storytelling tools
- Scaling systems that make breakthrough ideas impossible to ignore
“We’re not growing just to grow,” River said. “We’re growing so we can show up better for the people building what the world desperately needs.”
Wrapping It Up
In a world full of noise, climate startups need to show up with a story that cuts through. Yugen’s team expansion is a bet that great storytelling, when grounded in purpose and powered by design, can do just that.
They’re not just building brands. They’re building belief. And that might just be the most powerful tool any founder can have.
