UK-based bank Barclays and climate tech company ExpectAI announced the launch of a new collaboration, aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses grow their profits using AI-based sustainability insights.

Founded in 2021, London-based ExpectAI provides solutions to use artificial intelligence and public data to help SMEs grow profits and reduce emissions. The company recently launched its first product, Una, an AI-powered platform that provides companies with a view of their carbon footprint and a climate action plan, including tailored energy-efficiency recommendations, and connections to verified solution providers and funding partners to accelerate implementation. The company is chaired by former bp CEO Bernard Looney.

Anand Verma, Founder and CEO, ExpectAI, said:

“We are delighted to be working with Barclays on this important initiative. ExpectAI was founded to help SMEs become more profitable, productive and sustainable. Barclays’ long-standing focus on SMEs and their commitment to supporting clients through the transition make them the ideal organisation to advance this work. We look forward to demonstrating how this could create real value for UK-based businesses.”

Under the new collaboration, Barclays said that it will test ExpectAI’s Una platform beginning in early 2026, assessing the potential of the platform to create value for UK-based businesses, including how AI-powered insights could translate sustainability opportunities into measurable improvements in productivity, cost efficiency and competitiveness.

Daniel Hanna, Group Head of Sustainable and Transition Finance, Barclays, said:

“Barclays believes that AI platforms will play an important role in supporting businesses with sustainability-related initiatives and decision-making. Our ambition with this initiative is to support the development of an emerging climate tech business and help our clients understand the connection between sustainability and business value creation.”