Congratulations to the 2023 Cleantech Open Northeast Cohort!
Active Surfaces
https://www.linkedin.com/company/activesurfaces/about/
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Energy Distribution and Storage
Active Surfaces is commercializing an ultra thin-film solar technology based on decades of MIT research. Their technology provides thin-film solar panels for commercial warehousing applications, which can unlock terawatts of dual land use next generation deployment. Their innovative manufacturing approach drives down our manufacturing costs, transformational for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. provide thin-film solar panels for commercial warehousing applications.
Adhesion Technologies
New York, New York
Chemicals & Advanced Materials
Every home has furniture. And every piece of furniture is made with harmful petrol-chemical compounds that are used as adhesives. Those chemicals, such as urea-formaldehyde, have been classified by the WHO as carcinogenic volatile organic compounds. Adhesion Technologies developed a novel bio-adhesive to completely replace existing toxic adhesives used in the home furniture industry and beyond. Their patented technology was developed in a USDA lab and demonstrated the potential to be cost effective and performing.
Amply's software helps contractors quickly create accurate and accessible heat pump proposals for homeowners, which increases conversion rates and accelerates the transition to clean, efficient, high performance heating and cooling.
Aquasaic
Cambridge, MA
Agriculture
Aquasaic is engineering mushrooms to increase their ability to capture heavy metals, including copper, gold, cadmium, lead, amongst others.
Bamboo Energy’s mission is to accelerate the energy transition through demand side flexibility, placing the energy consumer in the center of the system. Bamboo Energy offers a SaaS solution for energy operators that enable them to optimally trade, manage and control the energy flexibility of their end-users. Advanced artificial intelligence forecast algorithms and mathematical models devoted to managing thousands of hundreds of distributed flexible assets to enable higher penetration of renewable energy.
BlockCarbon
https://www.blockcarbon.earth/
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Information & Communication Technologies
BlockCarbon empowers the development of nature-based carbon credits. Carbon credit developers lack cutting-edge technologies to make carbon credits credible and traceable. BlockCarbon utilizes remote sensing technology and AI to verify the projects and predict their carbon storage capabilities. They bridge them to the international market and support buyers to monitor the projects digitally and cost-effectively. BlockCarbon’s mission is to accelerate the development of the carbon market through technology.
BLUEiQ revolutionizes marine conservation with ML-powered passive acoustic sensing technology. Advanced algorithms track whale movement, mitigate wind farm noise, and prevent illegal fishing. Their technology is small, power-efficient, cost-effective, and easily deployed from autonomous underwater vehicles. BLUEiQ’s platform enables third-party algorithms, engaging research and citizen scientists. They adopt ESG principles to promote sustainability and preserve ocean biodiversity for a brighter future.
Building interiors account for ~5% of global carbon emissions. Circular Interiors aims to eliminate emissions and reduce waste by compiling comprehensive per-unit databases of interior components (furniture, fixtures, flooring, etc.) and associated ESG metrics, long before leases expire. Customers want to reuse—and with the Circular Interiors marketplace, they have the time and information to identify and act upon opportunities, connect to existing supply, and ultimately improve their triple bottom line.
Clean Flame is a fireplace which heats, cools, dehumidifies and filters air. The innovation combines a state-of-the-art cold climate mini-split heat pump system with the aesthetic appeal of a fireplace. The simulated flame and customizable surround provide a façade for the heat pump indoor unit. The design facilitates a quick installation in a prominent location at floor or mid-wall level. It’s a clean alternative to polluting hearths products as well as unsightly mini-split indoor units.
Cleonmaye Corp. Research and Development is both a consulting and R&D firm located in Queens, NY. The company was founded to advance research in the area of renewable energy. The design of their vertical axis maglev alternator improves the efficiency of renewable energy production by extending the product life cycle and levelized cost of energy. The maglev alternator/generator is not only ideal for many renewable projects but also vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.
Cold Volt makes massive, base load gravity batteries. Batteries that spin. Their goal is to replace base load power plants like coal and gas. As the grid evolves to a 100% renewable power source, we are removing legacy gas and coal turbines and synchronous generators. Those spinning devices are the backbone of the grid, to which inverter-source clean power generators connect. Cold Volt is offering both massive GWh energy storage and the grid regulation benefits of traditional synchronous generators.
Crum Creek Technologies, LLC
https://www.crumcreektech.com/
Westchester, Pennsylvania
Energy Efficiency
The Problem: Building owners are seeking ways to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure in their facilities. Due to the global pandemic, HVAC systems will now be required to extend hours of operation to provide an increase of fresh air ventilation to reduce air-borne diseases according to ASHRAE COVID-19 Guidance for Buildings. This leads to increased energy cost and more consumption on HVAC systems. The Solution:A Patent-Pending cost effective, non-intrusive self-powered air sterilization device.
Clean drinking water is a universal human right and DetoXyFi is on a mission to make this right a reality for all. This is possible through the 100% natural, highly effective, affordable, and sustainable water filtration devices we have created that exceed the WHO requirements for safe drinking water. The water filters are socio economically accessible by all in both normal (household) and adverse (natural disasters) operating environments. Their unique cutting-edge technology is backed by a decade of research, design, field tests, and patents.
Electromaim designs, distributes, and installs plug-and-play hydroelectric systems into a building’s existing water and waste infrastructure.They utilize micro hydroelectric generator technology to address the globally used energy-wasting pressure reducing valves in water distribution systems. Apart from providing building owners with significant profits, this furthers the global effort towards a climate solution and mitigates energy shortages acutely targeting low-income urban neighborhoods.
Technologies to extract lithium from unconventional aqueous sources are needed to meet the future lithium demand. Ellexco has envisioned a novel idea to extract lithium from brines. Ellexco offers a chemical-free, electricity-driven innovative technology to directly extract lithium from brines and produce lithium hydroxide, which would lower environmental impacts and carbon footprint.
Elyte Energy focuses on delivering hydrogen energy and storage in an economical and green alternative to the current standard for fixed storage and portable devices. They are working on a patent-protected hydrogen storage system of metal alloys that is innovative, compact, safe, and environmentally friendly to provide superior hydrogen storage and production. They apply this technology to build a highly efficient power supply for generators and many other fixed and portable devices, such as hydrogen refueling stations, portable generators, and much more.
Ephemeron Labs build functional current based imaging systems for semiconductors and solid-state devices and materials with nanometer-scale resolution. They are enabling solar and power electronics manufacturers to enhance their yield and produce higher efficiency devices. Ephemeron Labs provides active feedback to process technology research and development accelerating discovery and market deployment of new technologies. Their main product is a hardware add-on to existing electron microscopes and analysis tools.
The Epic Renewal team are composters building a zero waste world by diverting food waste from landfills and using it to build healthy soils and equitable, resilient food systems. In addition to composting and consulting services, they are leveraging their design and tech backgrounds to develop a critical mobile-native app for composters of all scales to simplify their work while easily measuring and reporting impact.
Foogly
Princeton, New Jersey
Waste
Foogly is a biotech startup that uses food waste to make bioplastics and biopolymers through a one-step, eco-friendly process. They utilize deep tech to centralize a network of small organic farmers and purchase their unbought foods. Foogly has generated $10K revenue with 150 customers in a previous B2C service. Their unique approach to sustainable plastics sets us apart from competitors and addresses the food waste crisis. They are seeking funding to scale production and expand into the B2B market.
Greenify
New York, New York
Energy Efficiency
Home energy upgrades are expensive. But with a series of incentives and financing, costs can be carefully managed. That takes a lot of time and meticulous tracking of financial flows, which is where Greenify comes in. We optimize project funding so contractors can focus on projects. We handle all the admin, and for qualified contractors, issue rebates upfront. Contractors lower net homeowner prices, increase margin, or save on back office time. Incentives made easy.
GreenIRR LLC
https://www.mygreenify.com/
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Energy Efficiency
GreenIRR Is a carbon accounting platform for trucking carriers, to measure fleet emissions and generate regulation-compliant reports. As corporations face regulation pressure to disclose all scopes of their emissions, they push this reporting burden down their supply chain, demanding emission disclosures from their trucking carriers. Carriers face the threat of losing customers, while being asked to report something without the proper expertise, resources, or understanding. GreenIRR has a distinct competitive advantage in the automated data collection of transportation-related emissions, through direct integration into existing vehicle monitoring systems.
Haylon Technologies
Monroe, New Jersey
Energy Efficiency
Today, most systems rely on sub-par batteries because devices have varying demands on power. To optimize battery and device performance, Haylon has developed a technology that makes it possible to dynamically switch between complementary types of battery cells within a single pack. Based on early tests, they can double battery performance. Their goal is to commercialize radically better, more sustainable chemistries to clean the battery supply chain and electrify new industries like flight.
Hydropore is decarbonizing heavy industry with green hydrogen (hydrogen with no associated carbon emissions) produced anywhere. Their patented materials-based approach to producing green hydrogen can turn any site into a green hydrogen production site. Hydropore will manufacture equipment that produces green hydrogen for customers in the hardest to decarbonize industries like steel & methanol production and heavy-duty transportation.
HyeYield’s technology uses plasma ionization to transform water into a powerful fertilizer and disinfectant. It is safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly, and it offers a number of benefits to farmers and consumers alike. With their technology, you can grow healthier crops, reduce your reliance on harmful chemicals, and protect the environment.
Incentivize is a consumer fintech platform dedicated to making billions of dollars in government and utility incentives for electric vehicles (EVs), EV chargers, and other climate tech more accessible, so EV buyers can more easily obtain every rebate and tax credit they deserve. Our free, proprietary, Rebate Calculator provides users with their personal eligibility for incentive programs and potential savings on products; transforming the rebate user experience, so it works better for people and the planet.
InceptEV is developing a software platform for green fleet planning, optimization, reporting and routing. Current fleets perceive electric vehicles as a major risk, limiting them to 60% of their rated range which leads to potentially four times additional investment costs in infrastructure. They use a simulation-first technology to reduce this risk for commercial fleets by helping them plan and optimize their fleets and infrastructure investments prior to purchasing any new assets.
Ionworks Technologies Inc
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Energy Distribution & Storage
Innovative battery solutions are required to meet the rising demand for clean energy, but their development is often costly and time-consuming. Ionworks is revolutionizing battery development by providing cutting-edge simulation software that accelerates the design process. Their platform delivers in-depth insights into factors affecting battery performance and longevity, empowering companies to create high-performance batteries with superior energy density, reduced costs, and extended lifespans.
Livity Yoga is revolutionizing the Health & Wellness industry with its Material Revolution, tackling the impact of wellness materials on the climate crisis. Their sustainable yoga products are designed to reduce air pollution, natural disasters, and landfill scarcity caused by traditional yoga mats and aids. They believe in redesigning and reinventing the system, instead of beating it.
Matcha is an electric vehicle charger management software platform just for multi-tenant property owners. They are on a mission to democratize access to EV’s for renters and multi-family property owners. Matcha’s end to end solution makes charger installation and operations a plug and play experience for owners and tenants. Their workforce of EV charging service technicians takes the guesswork out of maintenance and ensures uptime.
Orus Energy is an energy flexibility and demand response platform that enables owners of large commercial properties to earn money from consuming electricity better! With an AI-powered solution tailored to support the variety of technical systems found in buildings, we enable our customers to make the most of new energy opportunities, generating cash while helping to balance the electricity grid. The impact is tremendous, not only because it allows intermittent renewable energies to be integrated into the power grid but also because it prevents the use of thermal peaker plants.
Peoples Energy Analytics
https://peoplesenergyanalytics.com/
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Information & Communication Technologies
Peoples Energy Analytics’ patent-pending algorithm uses smart meter data to identify households who are in energy poverty and connect those households with over $200 million annually in unused energy assistance before disconnections would occur. They reduce the cost of identifying at-risk energy customers by 94%, for a utility with 600,000 customers, this means saving $3 million annually on identification alone and recovering up to $5 million in annual revenue from would-be unpaid bills.
Power 3D
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Energy Distribution and Storage
Power 3D has developed an innovative manufacturing process that can address key battery challenges such as energy density, charge rate, and power capability. By using scalable three-dimensional printing technology, the Company can build ultra-thick electrodes (UTEs) that improve the capacity utilization and increase energy density.
Prezerv Technologies
Somerville, Massachusetts
Information & Communication Technologies
Prezerv is building an innovative platform that provides automated, accurate 3D digital twin of the underground. Prezerv’s platform is designed to solve the problems caused by non-visible, underground utility pipes unexpectedly encountered during civil and energy projects. Their AI solution will accelerate and save costs for a wide range of clean energy projects and provide significant environmental benefits.
Redifarms is growing healthy fruits and vegetables locally in a sustainable way utilizing indoor vertical farming operating 24/7/365. The efficiencies of operations eliminate 95% of typical farming and packaging waste, reducing cost, environmental impact, and plastic. Their unique model includes community involvement and education, with hands-on classes, lectures and tours about modern farming and the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. They look to replicate this model every 20 mi or 200k people.
Rivalia Chemical Co. is pioneering new chemical extraction technology to solve two important problems: critical mineral scarcity and coal ash waste management. The U.S. has more than two billion metric tons of coal fly ash containing valuable rare earth elements; what is missing is a sustainable, scalable, and economic method of separation. Rivalia harvests rare earths from ash, then transforms the residual ash for use in green concrete in a closed-loop process using a recyclable ionic liquid.
We electrify marine operations by replacing gasoline generators and pumps with cleaner, quieter alternatives. Our patent-pending ShredConnect™ technology integrates swappable commercial batteries with renewables to power motors, haulers, and pumps. Our beachhead market is our network of oyster and kelp farmers. We are testing other applications for our ShredConnect™ system, including boat motors and off-road vehicles.
Shutterbug Exchange Inc
Jersey City, New Jersey
Energy Efficiency
Shutterbug Exchange Inc. (SBX) is an early-stage, minority, and women-led company committed to propelling the circular economy forward within the renewable energy sector. SBX revitalizes outdated solar panels through advanced upcycling methods, minimizing landfill waste and slashing CO2 emissions. We offer a multifaceted revenue model that includes reselling refurbished panels, data analytics, and technology licensing. Our strategy harmonizes financial gains with eco-responsibility, addressing core inefficiencies and waste challenges in the solar industry.
Siclic Advanced Materials
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Chemicals & Advanced Materials
We know we can melt, remold, and recycle things like water bottles. But, what about tougher plastics? Jet parts, turbine blades, and truck cabins? These plastics, thermosets, have no existing recycling workflow. Instead, they are buried or burned. Siclic's team has developed a low cost, low loading drop-in approach compatible with existing industrial workflows to break down existing thermosets in the market into reprocessable fragments, all without compromising desirable materials properties.
SilisiumTech is a Carnegie Mellon spin off that is working to disrupt the US Solar industry – by solving its most expensive problem. Their co-founder, professor, inventor Erik Yidsti has been working on this problem for the last 10 years thanks to $5M in grant funding from DOE, NSF, and others. He has developed a process to make silicon wafers, for the solar industry, on a continual basis which will cut the cost of today’s manually produced wafers in half and produce 50% less Greenhouse Gas emissions. Today the silicon wafers are about 50% of the cost of an installed solar panel.
SpaceSense
Maisons-Lafitte, Paris, FRANCE
Information & Communication Technologies
Climate change is our generation's biggest challenge & intelligence from satellite imagery is a crucial capability that will help companies adapt and thrive in these uncertain times. The skill, time & cost required to do so, prohibits 90%+ of the companies from leveraging this capability just like it was for ML/DL 15 years ago. With SpaceSense we help such companies in agriculture & utilities adapt to climate change by enabling them to leverage satellite imagery intelligence 8x faster, 16x cheaper.
Table2Ground provides NextGen decentralized on-site innovative waste management solutions that divert food waste from landfills, reduce volume by 80-90% in a 24-hr cycle, minimize GHG, & produce nutrient rich compost that can be used locally. Thus, allowing users to fully participate in a circular economy. It basically converts your food scraps into garden soil. Our team has 130+ years of relevant experience, including responsibility for $250MM in food operations.
TSI Wave Gen
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Energy Generation
At TSI Wave Gen, we are focused on turning the motion of the ocean into reliable renewable energy, building a collaborative ecosystem, and making these technologies commercially available. The TSI Wave Gen team has developed a novel wave energy converter (WEC) for offshore distributed energy needs. Compared to current energy generation technologies, we can provide consistent renewable power budgets and are an easily deployable solution. We know it takes teamwork to power our future. We believe the ocean is an important member of that team.
Upward is building a platform for climate insights and action for people that care about climate change, but don't know what to do about it. By connecting to users' credit cards, they'll track their carbon footprint and make personalized recommendations for how to reduce it. Upward will go to market directly to consumers and through an employee benefit program (built around companies subsidizing the cost of carbon offsets/reduction).
Agricultural waste is the largest renewable carbon energy source, yet largely remains untapped. Converting biomass waste into renewable transportation biofuels has the greatest net impact on the carbon economy. WeNeW Carbology aims to disrupt the biofuel profitability and sustainability model through the distributed deployment of modular farm-scale biorefineries. Their approach will overcome the technical, economic, and operational challenges currently preventing widespread implementation.
Xenoil is a material science company that helps manufacturers and construction companies achieve global ESG targets without changing the way they operate by creating raw materials and products from recycled or sustainable materials. They’ve developed a vertically integrated process to rebuild material manufacturing by using recycled plastics or waste in unique ways. With their first products building significant traction now, we are working towards raising capital to expedite our growth.
Zinco Verde
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Chemicals & Advanced Materials
Zinco Verde is an advanced materials science company. They have developed a process that decreases the amount of energy consumed to synthesize zinc oxide by over 95%. This can lead to a reduction of 1.2 Million Metric Tons GHG/yr. Their patent pending method is mild enough to be electrified since it never gets warmer than a cup of coffee, whereas the status quo runs at 1000˚C. Their ZnO can be doped with other metals enhancing it to make bespoke formulations for each customer including tires, skincare, and textiles.