UX research and design services for climate and deep-tech startups

Enterprise buyers evaluating your climate or deep-tech product during a pilot need to reach a clear value moment on their own, without a guided tour from your team. Technical partners integrating your system need flows that map to their actual working environment. Investors assessing product maturity are reading the quality of your UX as a signal of your team's execution discipline. We provide bespoke UX research and design services tailored to each of these audience types, reducing the friction that is making every sales cycle longer than it needs to be.

Design team reviewing user journey maps and interface wireframes for a climate tech software product

Our UX research and design services

From early research to dev-ready handoff, structured around the product challenges climate and deep-tech teams actually face.

User experience (UX) design

Understand where users get stuck, drop off, or take wrong turns before you build. We research, map, and validate user journeys for technical products where the buyer is not always the end user, and where getting activation right affects how quickly your sales cycle closes.

User interface (UI) design

Give your product a visual layer that reduces cognitive load and builds buyer trust. We design interface systems that hold up across complex workflows, multiple user types, and the technical density that climate and energy software often requires.

Interaction design

Design the moments that make a product feel reliable. We work on micro-interactions, transitions, and interactive prototypes that give users clear feedback and reduce the uncertainty that causes drop-off in complex onboarding flows.

Website design and development

Build a website that does real work before the first sales call. We design conversion-focused architectures, map audience-specific journeys, and build in Webflow or Framer so your team can update content without depending on a developer.

Landing page design

Turn a single-page visit into a qualified lead or a booked meeting. We design landing pages with clear value hierarchies, strategic CTA placement, and trust signals calibrated to the skepticism level of your buyer.

Design system setup

Build a scalable component library your dev team can actually use. We set up design systems in Figma that reduce inconsistency across your product, speed up future builds, and give your team a clear framework to work within as the product grows.

Strategic approach

Design that closes the gap between complex products and the people using them

Most climate and energy software products are built by technical founders who understand the technology deeply but have not had time to optimize the experience around the people using it. The result is products where activation takes too long, enterprise buyers struggle to see value before the demo, and sales cycles stretch unnecessarily. We research how your users actually work, map where the experience breaks down, and redesign the flows that matter most to your adoption and sales goals. We build in Figma, hand off to your dev team with full documentation, and can establish a design system that scales with your product without requiring us in every future sprint.

Designer reviewing user research findings and journey maps for a climate tech software product
Success stories

Trusted by innovators

From seed-stage climate tech founders to Series A deep-tech teams, we have helped companies close the gap between complex products and the users who need to adopt them.

"They very quickly understood the kind of messaging that was important to us and how to translate that into a compelling visual experience. I can't recommend them enough!"

Keenan Johnson
Keenan Johnson

"The team at What if Design was nimble, thoughtful and flexible. Their design process forced us to reflect and rethink our corporate strategy. They brought the company messaging to the forefront and accurately translated our vision to creatively visualize our deeply scientific work."

Susteon

"What If’s team did a great job learning our technology on a razor-tight deadline. They helped transform our complex interconnection process into clear, resonant visuals and messaging for both technical and non-technical audiences."

Lauren

"What if Design's leadership on our brand redesign was a dream. Their team worked as an extension of our mission, embodied our values, and then expanded upon our vision with ease. Our static, version 101 website was transformed into a full brand identity - professional, creative, and human."

Megan Holcomb
Megan Holcomb

"Before What If, we were relying on developers for design work — it was slow and clunky. From day one, the What If team understood exactly what we were building and came with proactive ideas to improve the user flow and features, not just execute on a brief. The ease..."

Vested Future

"They spoke our language from day one, delivered on every commitment, and never missed a deadline. Web traffic quintupled in our first week after launch, but more than the numbers, we went from a website we wanted to hide to one we're genuinely proud to show every new stakeholder. What..."

USIPA

"Working with What If Design felt like a true collaboration — flexible, responsive, and always ready to meet us where we were. Even with our ideas that weren't fully formed, they delivered a strong brand and pitch deck to show up confidently with investors and partners. That kind of adaptability..."

Warren/Gabe

"I’ve worked with a lot of agencies over the years: brand, web, comms, you name it. Every project has its own vibe, its own momentum (or lack thereof), and its own set of hurdles.But it’s rare to find a team that just gets it... the tech, the market, the nuance...while..."

Nathalie

"Working with the What if Design team has been an exceptional experience. Their attention to detail and creativity exceeded our expectations. Their expert guidance was comprehensive through every aspect of the project, from aesthetics to crafting compelling copy. Their efficiency and professionalism were evident in every interaction and team's kind..."

GetShine

"As a team of one, I needed partners who could match our pace. What If delivered on that completely. The speed of turnaround, the quick review cycles, the ability to iterate in near real time — that's what made the difference. Highly recommended if you're looking to move fast and..."

Jordan Con

"The extremely high quality of outputs with fast turn around times and availability of team at short notice has been perfect for our requirements"

Jackie

"The old website confused people about what we actually do, but post-launch, that sort of negative feedback has completely stopped. We received a lot of positive feedback on the professionalism and the design. Our previous contact page received maybe one or two hits per week, if that. After the launch..."

Tristan

"The extremely high quality of outputs with fast turn around times and availability of team at short notice has been perfect for our requirements"

Ayush Banerjee
Ayush Banerjee

"We went from people saying "I have no idea what you're doing" to immediately feeling credible and put together. What If took what was in our heads and made it real, even when we couldn't fully articulate it ourselves."

Ashley/John

"We knew it was time to reset, sharpen our focus, and build a foundation for the next stage of growth. The new website was a big part of that. What If understood the vision, spoke our design language, and actually delivered. Anyone working with them should know it's a great..."

Chris

"They very quickly understood the kind of messaging that was important to us and how to translate that into a compelling visual experience. I can't recommend them enough!"

Keenan Johnson
Keenan Johnson

"The team at What if Design was nimble, thoughtful and flexible. Their design process forced us to reflect and rethink our corporate strategy. They brought the company messaging to the forefront and accurately translated our vision to creatively visualize our deeply scientific work."

Susteon

"What If’s team did a great job learning our technology on a razor-tight deadline. They helped transform our complex interconnection process into clear, resonant visuals and messaging for both technical and non-technical audiences."

Lauren

"What if Design's leadership on our brand redesign was a dream. Their team worked as an extension of our mission, embodied our values, and then expanded upon our vision with ease. Our static, version 101 website was transformed into a full brand identity - professional, creative, and human."

Megan Holcomb
Megan Holcomb

"Before What If, we were relying on developers for design work — it was slow and clunky. From day one, the What If team understood exactly what we were building and came with proactive ideas to improve the user flow and features, not just execute on a brief. The ease..."

Vested Future

"They spoke our language from day one, delivered on every commitment, and never missed a deadline. Web traffic quintupled in our first week after launch, but more than the numbers, we went from a website we wanted to hide to one we're genuinely proud to show every new stakeholder. What..."

USIPA

"Working with What If Design felt like a true collaboration — flexible, responsive, and always ready to meet us where we were. Even with our ideas that weren't fully formed, they delivered a strong brand and pitch deck to show up confidently with investors and partners. That kind of adaptability..."

Warren/Gabe

"I’ve worked with a lot of agencies over the years: brand, web, comms, you name it. Every project has its own vibe, its own momentum (or lack thereof), and its own set of hurdles.But it’s rare to find a team that just gets it... the tech, the market, the nuance...while..."

Nathalie

"Working with the What if Design team has been an exceptional experience. Their attention to detail and creativity exceeded our expectations. Their expert guidance was comprehensive through every aspect of the project, from aesthetics to crafting compelling copy. Their efficiency and professionalism were evident in every interaction and team's kind..."

GetShine

"As a team of one, I needed partners who could match our pace. What If delivered on that completely. The speed of turnaround, the quick review cycles, the ability to iterate in near real time — that's what made the difference. Highly recommended if you're looking to move fast and..."

Jordan Con

"The extremely high quality of outputs with fast turn around times and availability of team at short notice has been perfect for our requirements"

Jackie

"The old website confused people about what we actually do, but post-launch, that sort of negative feedback has completely stopped. We received a lot of positive feedback on the professionalism and the design. Our previous contact page received maybe one or two hits per week, if that. After the launch..."

Tristan

"The extremely high quality of outputs with fast turn around times and availability of team at short notice has been perfect for our requirements"

Ayush Banerjee
Ayush Banerjee

"We went from people saying "I have no idea what you're doing" to immediately feeling credible and put together. What If took what was in our heads and made it real, even when we couldn't fully articulate it ourselves."

Ashley/John

"We knew it was time to reset, sharpen our focus, and build a foundation for the next stage of growth. The new website was a big part of that. What If understood the vision, spoke our design language, and actually delivered. Anyone working with them should know it's a great..."

Chris

"They very quickly understood the kind of messaging that was important to us and how to translate that into a compelling visual experience. I can't recommend them enough!"

Keenan Johnson
Keenan Johnson

"The team at What if Design was nimble, thoughtful and flexible. Their design process forced us to reflect and rethink our corporate strategy. They brought the company messaging to the forefront and accurately translated our vision to creatively visualize our deeply scientific work."

Susteon

"What If’s team did a great job learning our technology on a razor-tight deadline. They helped transform our complex interconnection process into clear, resonant visuals and messaging for both technical and non-technical audiences."

Lauren

"What if Design's leadership on our brand redesign was a dream. Their team worked as an extension of our mission, embodied our values, and then expanded upon our vision with ease. Our static, version 101 website was transformed into a full brand identity - professional, creative, and human."

Megan Holcomb
Megan Holcomb

"Before What If, we were relying on developers for design work — it was slow and clunky. From day one, the What If team understood exactly what we were building and came with proactive ideas to improve the user flow and features, not just execute on a brief. The ease..."

Vested Future

"They spoke our language from day one, delivered on every commitment, and never missed a deadline. Web traffic quintupled in our first week after launch, but more than the numbers, we went from a website we wanted to hide to one we're genuinely proud to show every new stakeholder. What..."

USIPA

"Working with What If Design felt like a true collaboration — flexible, responsive, and always ready to meet us where we were. Even with our ideas that weren't fully formed, they delivered a strong brand and pitch deck to show up confidently with investors and partners. That kind of adaptability..."

Warren/Gabe

"I’ve worked with a lot of agencies over the years: brand, web, comms, you name it. Every project has its own vibe, its own momentum (or lack thereof), and its own set of hurdles.But it’s rare to find a team that just gets it... the tech, the market, the nuance...while..."

Nathalie

"Working with the What if Design team has been an exceptional experience. Their attention to detail and creativity exceeded our expectations. Their expert guidance was comprehensive through every aspect of the project, from aesthetics to crafting compelling copy. Their efficiency and professionalism were evident in every interaction and team's kind..."

GetShine

"As a team of one, I needed partners who could match our pace. What If delivered on that completely. The speed of turnaround, the quick review cycles, the ability to iterate in near real time — that's what made the difference. Highly recommended if you're looking to move fast and..."

Jordan Con

"The extremely high quality of outputs with fast turn around times and availability of team at short notice has been perfect for our requirements"

Jackie

"The old website confused people about what we actually do, but post-launch, that sort of negative feedback has completely stopped. We received a lot of positive feedback on the professionalism and the design. Our previous contact page received maybe one or two hits per week, if that. After the launch..."

Tristan

"The extremely high quality of outputs with fast turn around times and availability of team at short notice has been perfect for our requirements"

Ayush Banerjee
Ayush Banerjee

"We went from people saying "I have no idea what you're doing" to immediately feeling credible and put together. What If took what was in our heads and made it real, even when we couldn't fully articulate it ourselves."

Ashley/John

"We knew it was time to reset, sharpen our focus, and build a foundation for the next stage of growth. The new website was a big part of that. What If understood the vision, spoke our design language, and actually delivered. Anyone working with them should know it's a great..."

Chris

Trusted by Industrial Leaders Worldwide

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Case Studies

Our work in UX

Real results for real businesses. See how we've helped our clients achieve their goals.

What sets us apart

Why work with What if Design?

We bring strategic thinking, technical fluency, and product clarity to every engagement.

Research before design

Every design decision connects to a specific outcome: faster activation, clearer buyer journeys, or shorter sales cycles. We validate with research before we build, not after.

Full capability, flexible structure

Full UX research and design capability without the overhead of a full-time hire. Project-based or ongoing, structured around your stage and timeline.

Climate and deep-tech fluency

We have designed for climate monitoring networks, energy software platforms, and sustainability analytics tools , products where the user journey has real consequences for adoption and sales.

Fast ramp-up, focused execution

Because we work exclusively in climate and deep-tech, we need less onboarding. UX projects move from research to dev-ready designs efficiently, without the lengthy ramp-up time of a generalist agency.

Meet the design team

Founded by IIT Kharagpur architects turned digital design experts.

Akhila Kosaraju, Co-founder of What if Design

Akhila Kosaraju

Co-founder

Akhila is the co-founder and lead strategist at What if Design. She helps climate tech companies turn complex science into brands and websites that close funding and partnerships. She has worked with teams backed by the US Department of Energy, ARPA-E, leading climate VCs across carbon capture, grid interconnection, and green hydrogen, contributing to over $105M raised. Founders trust her because she learns the science and market before designing, and translates what they build visually for effective communication.

Tejas Mahajan, Co-founder of What if Design

Tejas Mahajan

Co-founder

Tejas is the co-founder and product UX lead at What if Design. He leads product and UX for software companies, designing for adoption, retention, and the metrics that drive growth. His work spans battery management systems, fleet platforms, and ESG tools, plus enterprise software for the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia. Founders trust him because he treats every screen as a business decision, not just a design problem.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between UI and UX design?

UX (user experience) design focuses on the overall journey: how users move through your product, what flows they follow, and where they encounter friction. UI (user interface) design focuses on the visual layer , the components, typography, color, and layout that make those flows readable and usable. Both matter, and they work together. UX sets the structure; UI makes it functional for the people actually using it. We provide both as integrated services, so your product is clear to navigate and built for the way your users actually work.

How long does a typical UI/UX design project take?

What is your UI/UX design process?

Do you conduct user research and testing?

Can you redesign our existing website or product?

What platforms and tools do you use?

How much do your UI/UX design services cost?

Will I own the design files and intellectual property?

Is your product experience holding back adoption?

Share what you're building and where users are getting stuck. We'll tell you what needs to change first.

Let's talk about your product

Share what you're building and where the experience is breaking down and we'll outline a clear next step.

Contact Us Today

You can also send us a quick email at team@whatifdesign.in.