Strategic brand and website design for climate and deep-tech startups

Your technology is credible. Your brand and website need to match it. We work with US-based climate and deep-tech startups to build investor-ready brands and strategic websites that communicate clearly to investors, partners, and buyers. From positioning strategy to Webflow builds, we translate technical depth into a market presence that supports fundraising conversations, partnership development, and early customer acquisition.

What if Design team reviewing brand strategy for a climate tech startup

Our design consultation services

End-to-end brand and website services for climate and deep-tech startups, from initial positioning to launch and beyond.

Brand positioning & strategy

We start every brand engagement with a structured positioning workshop that surfaces your differentiation, clarifies your audience segments, and defines how to talk to investors, partners, and buyers differently. The output is a messaging architecture your whole team can work from.

Visual identity design

Logo, color system, typography, and brand guidelines built as a scalable system, not a static deliverable. Designed to work across pitch decks, websites, social content, and print without losing coherence.

Website design & development

Webflow and Framer builds designed around how your audiences actually make decisions. Stakeholder-segmented messaging, clear conversion flows, and technical credibility built into the architecture from the start.

UX/UI product design

From user research and journey mapping to wireframes and high-fidelity design, we build product experiences that reduce friction and help users reach value faster. Includes usability testing, accessibility review, and developer-ready handoff.

Landing page optimization

Single-page experiences built to convert a specific audience toward a specific action, whether that's requesting a demo, booking a call, or signing up for a pilot program. Clear hierarchy, focused messaging, and trust signals placed where they matter most.

Design subscription services

Ongoing creative support for climate tech teams that need consistent output without a full-time hire. Covers pitch decks, sales materials, social content, motion graphics, and brand assets, with a shared backlog and regular syncs.

Full-service partnership

Strategic design that moves business forward

We work with US-based climate and deep-tech startups at every stage of brand and digital presence, from initial positioning to full website builds and ongoing creative production. Our team combines deep-tech fluency with strategic design, so founders don't have to choose between understanding their industry and communicating it clearly. We operate remotely across San Francisco and Bangalore, moving fast when timelines are tight and going deep when the strategy needs it.

Designer presenting website and brand strategy to a climate tech client team
Proven track record

Trusted by industry leaders

From seed-stage climate startups like Ribbit Network to deep-tech ventures across the US, we've designed brands and digital experiences that support fundraising conversations, partnership development, and market entry.

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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 Brand

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

What sets us apart

Why work with us?

Domain expertise and strategic design, built for the complexity of climate and deep-tech.

Climate-focused expertise

We've worked across renewable energy, carbon capture, grid modernization, and clean energy software. That domain familiarity means less time explaining your industry and more time building your brand.

Full-service capabilities

From initial brand strategy through website development and ongoing creative production, we handle the full scope in one engagement, removing the coordination overhead of managing multiple vendors.

Cost-effective delivery

Strategic design without the overhead of a full-time hire or the budget of a traditional agency, with flexible project-based and embedded partnership models that adapt to your stage.

Fast execution

Because we work exclusively with climate and deep-tech startups, we skip the industry onboarding that slows most agencies down. Most brand projects complete in four weeks or less.

Meet the leadership team

Architecture-trained founders with a decade of combined experience in strategic design for climate and deep-tech companies.

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 services does What if Design offer for climate and deep-tech startups?

Our services span brand strategy and positioning, visual identity, website design and development (Webflow and Framer), UX and product design, pitch deck design, and ongoing marketing and creative production. Most engagements start with a positioning workshop to align on goals, audiences, and messaging before any visual work begins. We offer fixed-scope project work and ongoing embedded design partnerships depending on your stage and needs.

How much does a design consultation cost?

What is your typical project timeline from consultation to launch?

Do you work with companies outside the climate tech industry?

What makes your consultation approach different from other design agencies?

Can you help with both brand strategy and website implementation?

Do you offer ongoing support after the initial project launch?

How do you ensure design work aligns with our business goals?

Want to see if we're a fit?

Tell us about your company, where you are in your growth stage, and what's blocking your next milestone. We'll respond within 24 hours.

Let's talk about your positioning

Tell us about your company, what you're working on, and what's blocking your next step, and we'll come back with a clear plan.

Contact Us Today

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