Collaborative Fund

Modern Synthesis is a biomaterial company focused on creating sustainable textiles for the fashion industry through innovative microbial weaving techniques. By harnessing the capabilities of bacteria, the company develops a new class of biobased textiles that offer significant advantages over traditional materials. These textiles provide strength and durability without the use of harmful petrochemical binders or toxic byproducts, and they eliminate the need for animal inputs, allowing for a diverse range of aesthetics to meet designers' needs. Modern Synthesis' technology utilizes bacterial nanocellulose, a highly versatile and robust form of cellulose, to produce customizable bio-textiles and composites. This approach not only replaces conventional materials such as animal leathers and plastic-based synthetics but also integrates efficiently with existing manufacturing practices, promoting scalability and sustainability within the industry.

Boston Materials, Inc. is a manufacturer of advanced composite materials, specializing in 3D reinforced carbon fiber pre-pregs. Founded in 2016 and based in Bedford, Massachusetts, the company utilizes patented Z-axis Fiber technology, which incorporates vertically aligned carbon fibers to enhance energy transfer properties. Its product line includes Carbon Supercomposite, a magnetically assembled carbon fiber pre-preg, which finds applications across various sectors such as aerospace, automotive, marine, wind energy, and sports equipment. Boston Materials' advanced materials aim to improve thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties, offering a roll-to-roll manufacturing process with in-line quality control and an annual production capacity of one million square meters. These innovations enable industries like semiconductors and electrified vehicles to achieve greater efficiency, reliability, and weight reduction while addressing critical challenges in durability and performance.

Turnover Labs is focused on decarbonizing the chemical production sector by providing carbon-neutral alternatives to traditional petrochemicals. The company specializes in producing industrial chemicals using innovative electrocatalysts that can directly convert impure carbon dioxide waste streams from manufacturing processes into valuable chemical products on-site. This approach allows industries to effectively manage impurities, resulting in longer device lifetimes and reduced purification costs. As a result, Turnover Labs aims to make the synthesis of essential chemical building blocks more economical and sustainable, thereby transforming the way petrochemicals are generated.

Matereal is a manufacturer specializing in biobased polyurethane, aiming to replace traditional, toxic polyurethane products. The company focuses on producing environmentally safe plastics, particularly for the fashion and outdoor gear industries, providing sustainable coatings and adhesives. By doing so, Matereal assists its clients in reducing the use of harmful chemicals in their supply chains.

Endolith is a biotechnology company specializing in sustainable mining. It employs microbes, synthetic biology, and cloud computing to extract critical minerals, such as copper, from low-grade ores. Collaborating with leading mining companies, Endolith aims to commercialize its innovative technology, reducing environmental impact and supporting the clean energy transition.

Anthro is an advanced materials company focused on innovating energy storage solutions for the battery-powered future. It specializes in developing flexible battery technology aimed at enhancing the capacity of wearable electronic devices. By transforming traditional lithium-ion batteries through patented polymer electrolyte technology, Anthro creates a polymeric supramolecular lithium-ion conductor that combines mechanical and ionic properties. This innovation allows device manufacturers to produce flexible and safe batteries, contributing to a more electrified future. The company is supported by leading investors and various government grants, positioning it at the forefront of energy storage advancements.

Gradient’s mission is to cool the world by transforming every home to be more comfortable and healthy for the people who inhabit it — without compromising the environment. Today, heating and cooling equipment emits more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector, and expansion in the use of cooling is projected to double these emissions in the next 30 years. However, comfortable buildings are critical for health and productivity, especially among communities that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Gradient’s vision is a future where everyone has access to comfortable buildings that are fully decarbonized. Our launch product is a direct-to-consumer high-efficiency and low-carbon heat pump.

Hippo Harvest is an agriculture technology company founded in 2019 and based in Half Moon Bay, California. It specializes in controlled environment agriculture, focusing on creating optimal growing conditions that prioritize food safety and quality. By integrating plant science, machine learning, and robotics, Hippo Harvest aims to sustainably cultivate vegetables within greenhouse settings. This innovative approach enables the company to offer fresh green food products to consumers at affordable prices, contributing to the scaling of sustainable agriculture practices.

MacroCycle Technologies is a company developing a chemical recycling process to convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyester-fiber waste into virgin-grade plastics. Their proprietary technology, based on synthesizing cyclic macromolecules, enables the production of recycled PET with lower energy use than traditional methods. This process offers a sustainable, zero-carbon, and cost-competitive solution for plastic upcycling, contributing to a circular economy.

Vaulted Deep specializes in permanent carbon removal through innovative technology solutions that enhance both environmental and community health. As a spin-off of Advantek Waste Management Services, the company focuses on biomass carbon removal and the geologic sequestration of organic wastes. Utilizing patented geologic slurry injection technology, Vaulted Deep aims to provide clients with cost-effective, large-scale carbon dioxide removal options, addressing the urgent need for sustainable waste management and climate action.

Noya is focused on addressing climate change by retrofitting existing industrial equipment to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company's innovative technology utilizes a non-toxic chemical blend that is added to the cooling towers of various industries without requiring any structural modifications. This approach allows for effective CO2 capture while enabling businesses to contribute to environmental sustainability. By selling the captured carbon dioxide to companies that utilize it as a raw material, Noya facilitates a practical and scalable solution for reducing carbon emissions and promoting a transition towards a carbon-negative future.

pH7 is a cleantech company focused on the sustainable extraction and refining of strategic metals essential for the transition to renewable energy. The firm has developed an innovative process for extracting platinum group metals (PGMs) from both primary and secondary resources, including waste materials. This process is designed to be economical and environmentally friendly, utilizing green, biodegradable, and recyclable solvents instead of traditional smelting methods. By enabling on-site extraction at locations such as mines, scrap yards, and recycling facilities, pH7's closed-loop system minimizes waste generation and eliminates toxic off-gassing, providing a practical solution for the operational challenges faced by chemical factories.

Rubi Laboratories is a California-based company that specializes in the development of technology to manufacture carbon-negative textiles. The firm utilizes innovative sustainable solutions to convert carbon emissions into natural fibers, resulting in biodegradable textiles. Its technology directly synthesizes threads, providing a natural resource for the production of viscose that is carbon-negative, as well as being water-chemical, land-neutral, traceable, and environmentally friendly. Rubi Laboratories aims to address the environmental impact of textile manufacturing by offering a more sustainable alternative in the industry.

GlacierGrid is a venture-backed company that specializes in optimizing energy use strategies for businesses, focusing on energy savings, operational efficiency, and sustainability. The company employs Internet of Things (IoT) technology to facilitate real-time monitoring and analytics, enabling clients to refine their energy consumption practices. By utilizing wireless temperature and humidity sensors, GlacierGrid collects accurate data to minimize risks associated with data loss and inaccuracies, thereby reducing inventory waste. This approach allows business owners and managers to gain timely insights into equipment performance and energy usage, ultimately aiding in informed decision-making and enhancing operational effectiveness while lowering their carbon footprint.

Verse provides software for organizations to understand, plan, and manage clean energy. Its SaaS platform, Aria™, leverages generative AI to help companies define clean energy goals and plan, procure, and manage optimal portfolios of clean energy assets at least cost. Customers can set parameters that target specific goals (e.g., cost, emissions, or hourly matching) and optimize for annual matching, emissions matching, or hourly matched carbon-free energy (CFE). By reducing transaction costs by up to 70% and providing real-time analysis within minutes, Aria helps scale and accelerate the clean energy transition.

AirMyne is a company focused on Direct Air Capture technology that effectively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Utilizing a patented process that employs a liquid capture agent and a low-temperature thermal regeneration method, AirMyne's technology is designed to be compatible with various low-carbon energy sources. The company prioritizes the use of low-cost and easily sourced inputs, making its solutions accessible for organizations aiming to meet their net-zero emissions goals. Founded in 2022 by experienced professionals from the deep tech sector through Y Combinator, AirMyne is committed to scaling high-quality carbon removal efforts.

Zitara Technologies, founded in 2019 and based in San Francisco, California, specializes in predictive battery management software tailored for electric fleets. The company develops both cloud-based and embedded solutions that cater to enterprises with extensive battery deployments. Zitara's platform is distinguished by its capacity to deliver battery analytics, including simulation, planning, and real-time operational insights. This technology supports companies in enhancing safety and extending the longevity of their battery systems, making it a valuable asset for operations involving grid-scale and residential energy storage.

Keel Labs is a biomaterials company focused on producing sustainable materials derived from renewable resources, specifically seaweed. The company addresses the ecological damage associated with the fashion industry by developing a platform for creating durable and rapidly degradable yarns from kelp. This innovative approach integrates scientific research and design with waste reduction in textile production, offering a viable alternative to conventional textiles for the footwear and apparel industries. By utilizing kelp, Keel Labs provides a functional and environmentally friendly resource that aims to mitigate the negative impacts of traditional material sourcing.

Paces is developing a data platform aimed at enhancing the profitability and feasibility of green infrastructure projects. By gathering and analyzing data from over 3,500 U.S. counties, Paces offers actionable insights that include environmental, permitting, zoning, interconnection information, and competition risks. The platform also provides modeled signals such as climate risks, profitability forecasts, and parcel rankings, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions about specific land parcels and green infrastructure assets. This comprehensive approach helps to de-risk the development and operation of renewable projects, ultimately facilitating faster project development and improved financial returns for developers and investors.

Modern Synthesis is a biomaterial company focused on creating sustainable textiles for the fashion industry through innovative microbial weaving techniques. By harnessing the capabilities of bacteria, the company develops a new class of biobased textiles that offer significant advantages over traditional materials. These textiles provide strength and durability without the use of harmful petrochemical binders or toxic byproducts, and they eliminate the need for animal inputs, allowing for a diverse range of aesthetics to meet designers' needs. Modern Synthesis' technology utilizes bacterial nanocellulose, a highly versatile and robust form of cellulose, to produce customizable bio-textiles and composites. This approach not only replaces conventional materials such as animal leathers and plastic-based synthetics but also integrates efficiently with existing manufacturing practices, promoting scalability and sustainability within the industry.

Rubi Laboratories is a California-based company that specializes in the development of technology to manufacture carbon-negative textiles. The firm utilizes innovative sustainable solutions to convert carbon emissions into natural fibers, resulting in biodegradable textiles. Its technology directly synthesizes threads, providing a natural resource for the production of viscose that is carbon-negative, as well as being water-chemical, land-neutral, traceable, and environmentally friendly. Rubi Laboratories aims to address the environmental impact of textile manufacturing by offering a more sustainable alternative in the industry.

Hippo Harvest is an agriculture technology company founded in 2019 and based in Half Moon Bay, California. It specializes in controlled environment agriculture, focusing on creating optimal growing conditions that prioritize food safety and quality. By integrating plant science, machine learning, and robotics, Hippo Harvest aims to sustainably cultivate vegetables within greenhouse settings. This innovative approach enables the company to offer fresh green food products to consumers at affordable prices, contributing to the scaling of sustainable agriculture practices.

GlacierGrid is a venture-backed company that specializes in optimizing energy use strategies for businesses, focusing on energy savings, operational efficiency, and sustainability. The company employs Internet of Things (IoT) technology to facilitate real-time monitoring and analytics, enabling clients to refine their energy consumption practices. By utilizing wireless temperature and humidity sensors, GlacierGrid collects accurate data to minimize risks associated with data loss and inaccuracies, thereby reducing inventory waste. This approach allows business owners and managers to gain timely insights into equipment performance and energy usage, ultimately aiding in informed decision-making and enhancing operational effectiveness while lowering their carbon footprint.

Poolus Inc. is a company that specializes in ride-sharing services, focusing on real-time carpool matching through its smartphone application. Founded in 2016 and based in Seoul, South Korea, Poolus connects non-taxi vehicle drivers with passengers, offering a platform that promotes cost-effective travel options. The application also features various discount coupons and promotions, encouraging users to reduce expenses and minimize environmental impact. Additionally, Poolus provides a driver certification program to ensure safety and reliability within its service.

Square Roots Urban Growers, Inc. is a Brooklyn-based farming accelerator established in 2016 that focuses on local food production and entrepreneurship. The company operates a yearlong training program for selected entrepreneurs, teaching them urban farming techniques within controlled-climate container farms. It offers three key programs: an urban farming campus where participants grow food like basil, chives, and mint; a resident entrepreneur program featuring skill-based training and professional development; and a community network that connects local business leaders to foster entrepreneurial growth. Square Roots Urban Growers supplies its produce through partnerships with restaurants and retail outlets, contributing to the availability of fresh food in urban environments year-round.

Endless West is a beverage startup focused on producing innovative wines and spirits using scientific methods. The company creates its products at a molecular level by extracting flavor, aroma, and color molecules from various plants and substances, eliminating the need for traditional ingredients like grapes and yeast. This approach allows Endless West to craft sustainable beverages without fermentation, significantly reducing the resources required for production, such as wood, water, and land. Its flagship product, Glyph, is an aged-style spirit that showcases this pioneering technique, offering consumers a unique drinking experience while promoting environmental sustainability.