Autodesk Foundation

PowerUP is a clean-tech product development company focused on building the best and most appropriate products for customers in low-income contexts.

Okra Solar is an innovative technology company based in Sydney, Australia, focused on providing rural communities with access to affordable solar energy solutions. Founded in 2016, the company leverages IoT technology and machine learning to create a plug-and-play smart grid system that facilitates the sharing and efficient distribution of energy among solar-generating households. Their approach includes mobile payments, modular grid design, and remote monitoring, enabling utility companies to operate solar networks in hard-to-reach areas at a lower cost. By providing real-time data through cloud software, Okra Solar equips grid owners with the information necessary for effective scaling and management of solar networks. The company's mission is to connect off-grid communities to modern energy resources, fostering the growth of energy-abundant microgrid economies and ensuring reliable and affordable energy access for these underserved populations.

BluLever Education focuses on creating a collaborative ecosystem for artisans, offering vocational education and skills training tailored to their needs. By providing a platform for artisan education, the company aims to enhance the capabilities of craftsmen at all stages of their careers. It delivers innovative and demand-led training programs that address the shortcomings in existing artisan ecosystems. This approach not only equips apprentices with essential skills but also fosters their growth and success, allowing them to thrive and contribute effectively to their industries.

Last Energy is focused on the development and delivery of small modular nuclear power plants, aiming to transform the nuclear power industry. By utilizing proven reactor technology along with a unique delivery model and fully modular plant design, the company seeks to significantly reduce both the time and cost associated with construction. Its plants are designed to produce both direct heat and electricity, employing standard pressurized water reactor technology. This modular approach allows for easy integration into industrial processes, supporting sustainability goals. Last Energy's mission centers on decarbonizing global energy production and enhancing access to clean, affordable power.

Delta40 is the venture studio that invests in African female entrepreneurs involved in energy, agriculture and mobility sectors.

Joule Labs is focused on providing innovative solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging through its advanced software and robotic technology. The company has developed a platform that enables users to find, schedule, and book available EV chargers efficiently. Its mobile EV charging service features autonomous robots and mobile battery pods, which are designed to operate in various parking spaces. This technology simplifies the management of EV charging for parking lot and garage owners by automating the process of maintenance, usage tracking, and income generation. Joule Labs aims to enhance the EV charging experience while addressing common challenges such as limited charging access and malfunctioning equipment.

Vartega Inc. specializes in recycling carbon fiber, a material known for its strength and lightweight properties, primarily serving the aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and sporting goods sectors. Founded in 2014 and based in Golden, Colorado, Vartega has developed a patented recycling process that produces low-cost carbon fiber suitable for various applications, including thermoplastic pellets, nonwoven fabrics, yarns, and three-dimensional printing filament. The company’s technology effectively diverts carbon fiber scrap and waste from landfills, contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing fuel economy in vehicles. Vartega's carbon fiber is available in multiple forms, including semi-continuous, chopped, and milled, making it adaptable for mass-market use.

Okra Solar is an innovative technology company based in Sydney, Australia, focused on providing rural communities with access to affordable solar energy solutions. Founded in 2016, the company leverages IoT technology and machine learning to create a plug-and-play smart grid system that facilitates the sharing and efficient distribution of energy among solar-generating households. Their approach includes mobile payments, modular grid design, and remote monitoring, enabling utility companies to operate solar networks in hard-to-reach areas at a lower cost. By providing real-time data through cloud software, Okra Solar equips grid owners with the information necessary for effective scaling and management of solar networks. The company's mission is to connect off-grid communities to modern energy resources, fostering the growth of energy-abundant microgrid economies and ensuring reliable and affordable energy access for these underserved populations.

Prometheus Materials focuses on the development of bio-cement designed to achieve zero carbon emissions, contributing to global sustainability efforts. The company specializes in creating innovative construction materials that utilize algae, water, ambient carbon dioxide, sunlight, and sand. By producing bio-cement and bio-concrete that are carbon negative, Prometheus Materials enables clients to adopt more sustainable practices in construction, thereby helping to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions associated with traditional concrete production.

Vartega Inc. specializes in recycling carbon fiber, a material known for its strength and lightweight properties, primarily serving the aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and sporting goods sectors. Founded in 2014 and based in Golden, Colorado, Vartega has developed a patented recycling process that produces low-cost carbon fiber suitable for various applications, including thermoplastic pellets, nonwoven fabrics, yarns, and three-dimensional printing filament. The company’s technology effectively diverts carbon fiber scrap and waste from landfills, contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing fuel economy in vehicles. Vartega's carbon fiber is available in multiple forms, including semi-continuous, chopped, and milled, making it adaptable for mass-market use.

M2X Energy is a technology company focused on converting methane into valuable products, particularly through its automated gas-to-product systems. The company employs a non-catalytic, partial-oxidation reformer approach to produce low-carbon methanol from various methane-rich feedstocks, such as landfill gas, biogas, and well gas. By minimizing gas flaring, M2X Energy aims to reduce environmental impact and provide essential climate services, enabling businesses to transform waste natural gas into useful products while contributing to climate protection efforts.

Rebound Technologies, Inc. specializes in the manufacturing and supply of advanced thermal energy storage systems tailored for commercial refrigeration and off-grid cooling applications. Founded in 2012 and based in Commerce City, Colorado, the company offers innovative products such as IcePoint, which integrates an embedded thermal energy storage system to significantly reduce cooling costs for supermarkets, and SunChill, designed for agricultural needs in developing regions. SunChill effectively converts solar thermal energy into refrigeration, enhancing agricultural productivity by rapidly cooling harvested crops and maintaining their quality at local markets. Rebound Technologies emphasizes customized solutions that utilize renewable resources and waste heat capture, aiming to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs while supporting self-sustaining business models. The company's initiatives are currently backed by research grants from the U.S. Federal Government.