Innovation

Banyan Infrastructure’s innovation is a cloud-based software platform that automates and standardizes the financing process for clean energy and sustainable infrastructure projects. Financing renewable assets such as solar farms, battery storage, or water treatment facilities has traditionally been slow, fragmented, and error-prone. Banyan’s platform solves this by centralizing data, automating workflows, and streamlining reporting between developers, investors, and lenders. The result is a more transparent and efficient process that accelerates capital deployment into sustainable projects.

The idea originated from co-founder Amanda Lee’s firsthand frustration with the inefficiencies of financing clean energy projects while at Generate Capital. She saw how disorganized documentation and inconsistent reporting delayed investments. Lee’s vision was to create a unified software solution that would accelerate and improve the reliability of project finance. By simplifying data management and due diligence, Banyan enables companies to deploy capital into renewable projects faster and with greater accuracy.

To build the platform, Lee partnered with a software engineer who shared her goal of using technology to address climate challenges. Together, they developed a modular Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) system that clients can tailor to their needs, whether organizing financial data, tracking covenants, or automating compliance. As Rob Glen explained, “We’re helping people who set up special purpose vehicles, essentially standalone companies for each project, do the processes of finance more easily.” The platform also uses artificial intelligence to extract key terms from loan documents, reducing manual review time and human error.

While the software could be applied to conventional energy firms, Banyan deliberately focuses on clean energy clients. As Glen stated, “By definition, we’re helping to finance clean power… we’re not knocking on the doors of Chevron or Exxon.” This focus reflects the company’s mission to accelerate the global energy transition by removing financial barriers to renewable development.

Banyan’s purpose extends beyond efficiency. Its employees, engineers, coders, and analysts are motivated by the impact of their work. Glen noted that “people in the clean power business like feeling good about what they’re doing” because they see tangible results in decarbonization and sustainable growth.

In essence, Banyan’s innovation unites financial technology and climate action. By digitizing and standardizing project finance, it enables faster investment in clean infrastructure and helps scale the shift toward a low-carbon economy.

Inspiration

The concept for Banyan came from the founders’ realization that, even though clean technology already exists, its impact is limited by financing and daily operations. A software engineer passionate about climate teamed up with a renewable energy investment expert to align structure, automation, and transparency with the financing side of infrastructure. In our interview, Glen explained that the platform isn’t just about saving money, “I think there are a lot of people in my space that are really passionate. In my world, they bring together a serious interest in the environment and a serious interest in professional success.” The blend of purpose and technology fuels Banyan, as finance teams, engineers, and analysts feel they’re contributing to something bigger than just their jobs.

Overall impact

Banyan Infrastructure creates a strong, positive impact by providing companies with the resources and technology they need to make smooth, clean transitions to sustainable energy. In the short term, Glen shared that Banyan is taking small steps by calling companies in the oil and gas space, helping them understand how their software and technology will enable them to finance sustainable energy projects cost-effectively. Additionally, this software allows whoever is making these project decisions at large companies to have a clear way to present and understand their data and the impact they are creating through sustainable energy projects. In turn, they can report on this and provide numbers and proof of their positive effects. 

In the long term, Banyan's ability to speed up the deal cycle and reduce friction in starting sustainable energy projects creates a scalable pathway for all companies to finance clean energy projects. Banyan helps companies understand the financial, legal, and ethical benefits of transitioning to clean energy, which will have a significant long-term impact as more companies make the switch. 

Business benefit

Banyan Infrastructure’s innovation positions the company as a key technology partner in the growing clean energy finance market. Its platform streamlines and automates project financing, enabling clients to complete deals faster and at lower cost. This efficiency provides a clear competitive advantage, saves clients' time, reduces risk, and drives recurring revenue through Banyan’s subscription-based model.

The platform’s modular SaaS design adds flexibility, allowing customers to purchase individual applications or full access as needed. As Rob Glen noted, unlike traditional all-or-nothing systems such as Bloomberg, Banyan lets clients “buy by the slice,” broadening market appeal and adoption.

By improving the speed and reliability of sustainable project finance, Banyan expands its customer base among developers, investors, and lenders while strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable finance technology.

Social and environmental benefit

Banyan’s innovative software platform not only provides business benefits but also several social and environmental benefits that contribute to society and the community as a whole. 

 The software platform helps accelerate financing for solar, wind, battery storage, and water treatment projects, enabling these projects to be built faster and at a more scalable pace. Accelerating the financing process means more clean energy projects enter construction, which directly impacts emissions reduction and decarbonization goals, contributing to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy by enabling more renewable energy projects and to SDG 13: Climate Action by accelerating the flow of financing to sustainable infrastructure. Additionally, Banyan’s platform significantly improves long-term performance reporting, promoting more transparent and accountable clean energy operations and contributing to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure by improving finance and infrastructure. 

Moreover, by simplifying financing, Banyan makes it easier for smaller developers/businesses to participate in the clean energy sector. This creates a more inclusive renewable energy ecosystem by reducing the dominance of large companies. As previously mentioned, the community as a whole benefits from the faster deployment of clean, reliable, affordable energy; not only through the environmental benefits but also since clean energy projects bring jobs, local investment, and long-term economic stability. In addition, worker morale and overall happiness will also improve significantly, since, as Rob mentioned during our interview, people working in clean energy “like feeling good about what they’re doing,” because they know they’re contributing to climate solutions. Therefore, the company indirectly supports healthier, more sustainable communities by enabling cleaner energy sources to reach the community ecosystem more quickly.

By aligning technology, finance, and sustainability, Banyan demonstrates how commercial innovation can drive real-world progress for the planet and people.

Interview

Robert Glen, Senior Director of Business Development