Collaborative Fund

Ravel is a waste management company specializing in the recycling of blended textiles. It designs and manufactures textile waste recycling machines that convert end-of-life clothing and textiles into new market-grade fiber. Ravel's innovative approach includes constructing shipping container-sized recycling factories that utilize proprietary mechanical and chemical technologies. This setup allows the company to address textile waste in a distributed and localized manner, promoting a circular economy that emphasizes renewable resources. By focusing on environmentally and socially responsible practices, Ravel aims to reshape the clothing supply chain and enhance sustainability within the industry.

Brightly is a company focused on reducing food waste while addressing food insecurity and climate change. It collaborates with food rescue organizations to convert their efforts into reliable carbon credits, thereby creating a sustainable funding model. Each day, millions of people face hunger, even as the food system produces an overwhelming amount of waste. Much of this surplus food ends up in landfills, generating methane gas and harming the environment. By assisting food rescue organizations in redirecting excess food to underserved communities, Brightly not only helps alleviate hunger but also mitigates the ecological impact of food waste. Through its innovative approach, the company aims to enhance food recovery efforts, feed more individuals, and promote a healthier planet.

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.

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 to extract platinum group metals (PGMs) from both primary and secondary resources, including waste materials. This process operates on-site at locations such as mines, scrap yards, and recycling facilities, utilizing green, biodegradable, and recyclable solvents instead of traditional smelting methods. By employing a closed-loop system, pH7's approach minimizes waste generation and eliminates toxic off-gassing, thereby addressing key operational challenges faced by chemical factories while promoting environmental sustainability.

Wasted* is a Vermont-based company founded in 2020 that specializes in transforming human waste into effective, safe, and sustainable fertilizers. Through its innovative circular sanitation technology, Wasted* separates urine from feces, preserving the nutrients contained in both while eliminating the need for chemical additives. This process not only enhances the value of human waste but also promotes a circular sanitation economy, effectively connecting individuals to their local environment. By enabling clients to convert waste into a sustainable resource, Wasted* addresses waste treatment and disposal challenges while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Keel Labs is a biomaterials company that focuses on developing ocean-based materials derived from renewable resources, particularly seaweed. The company aims to address the ecological damage caused by the fashion industry by creating durable and rapidly degradable yarns from kelp. Through its innovative platform, Keel Labs integrates scientific design and waste management into textile production, offering an alternative to conventional textiles for the footwear and apparel industries. This approach not only provides a functional resource but also emphasizes environmental sustainability, allowing for a more responsible and accessible option in material sourcing.

Kids on 45th, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that specializes in selling used clothing for children. Incorporated in 2018, the company operates as an e-commerce platform aimed at helping parents purchase affordable, high-quality, nearly-new clothing for their growing kids. Through a wardrobe subscription service, Kids on 45th provides customers with access to gently-used kids' clothes, which are conveniently delivered to their homes. This innovative approach not only offers cost-effective solutions for families but also promotes sustainability by giving new life to pre-owned garments.

For Days, Inc. is a Brooklyn-based company that specializes in manufacturing and recycling t-shirts for men and women. Established in 2016, it offers tees made from recycled fabric on a subscription and membership basis. Customers can return the products once they become stained or worn out, facilitating a closed-loop recycling system aimed at reducing waste in the fashion industry. Additionally, For Days operates the Trashie platform, which incentivizes and simplifies clothing recycling for consumers and fashion retailers, promoting the benefits of a circular economy. Through its innovative approach, For Days seeks to minimize textile waste while providing accessible and sustainable fashion options.