National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF), established in 1950 and located in Alexandria, Virginia, is an independent federal agency dedicated to advancing fundamental research and education across all scientific and engineering disciplines. With an annual budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF operates America's Seed Fund, which allocates nearly $200 million each year to support startups and small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This initiative provides non-dilutive funding of up to $1.5 million to assist in research and development efforts, thereby facilitating the transformation of scientific discoveries into commercially viable products and services. By helping to de-risk technology, the NSF plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges through scientific advancements.

James Donlon

Program Director

Sean L. Jones

Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Ben Schrag Ph.D

Program Director and Policy Liaison, SBIR / STTR

Past deals in Sustainability

Singularity Energy

Grant in 2022
Singularity Energy, Inc. is a company that develops a platform for real-time energy and carbon management, aimed at helping corporate clients optimize their energy usage and reduce carbon emissions. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes artificial intelligence to incorporate real-time carbon dioxide signals from the energy grid into its management solutions. This innovative approach allows organizations to co-optimize their energy costs and emissions effectively. Singularity Energy's platform is designed to support climate regulators and sustainability professionals by providing transparent and reliable data, thereby enabling informed decision-making to meet rigorous environmental targets. By offering a modern alternative to traditional carbon reporting methods, the company contributes to the broader goal of grid decarbonization and promotes sustainable practices in various industries.
Re-Synth International specializes in developing environmental technologies that enhance the quality and efficiency of hydrocarbon fuels. The company’s patented solutions focus on reducing the cost of clean fuel by effectively eliminating contaminants without generating harmful by-products or altering fuel viscosity. This innovation not only improves fuel efficiency but also significantly lowers the environmental impact associated with fuel consumption, enabling users to minimize their carbon footprint. By prioritizing both cost-effectiveness and sustainability, Re-Synth International aims to contribute positively to the energy sector while addressing the growing demand for cleaner fuel alternatives.

Ocean

Grant in 2022
Eco-Shelter is a social enterprise founded in 2017 by Alexa Bednar, based in Seattle, Washington. The company focuses on providing safe and affordable roofing solutions for low-income households in India. It specializes in sustainable building materials, offering an eco-roof panel made from resin-coated bamboo mats. These panels are pressed and sealed to create a strong, lightweight, water-resistant, and flame-resistant roofing option. Through its innovative products, Eco-Shelter aims to improve living conditions for underprivileged communities by delivering accessible and environmentally friendly building solutions.

Cypris Materials

Grant in 2021
Manufacturer and distributor of paint color intended to offer sustainable color that broadens the color gamut. The company's platform is developing a new generation of sustainable colors as well as creating paintable heat-reflective coatings as a roofing retrofit for both residential and commercial buildings, enabling customers to get environmentally friendly and sustainable color options.

SiTration

Grant in 2021
SiTration, founded by Brendan Smith in 2020 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in the development of ultra-durable filtration membranes tailored for efficient separations in harsh environments. The company's innovative technology enhances energy efficiency in challenging industrial applications by integrating the low cost and exceptional durability of various advanced commercial membranes. This enables users to achieve resource-efficient operations even in demanding conditions, setting SiTration apart in the filtration industry.

Symbrosia

Grant in 2020
Symbrosia is a California-based company founded in 2018 that produces a cattle feed supplement designed to reduce methane emissions. The company has developed a symbiotic system to cultivate macroalgae, specifically seaweed, which is incorporated into cattle feed. This innovative approach not only aims to mitigate the environmental impact of livestock farming but also promotes sustainable practices in the agricultural sector. By focusing on the integration of sustainable seafood into their products, Symbrosia seeks to address the significant challenge of methane emissions generated by cattle.
Paramount Planet Product is an Orono-based startup that aims to cut ocean pollution with low-cost, compostable plant-based drink lid that resembles plastic but will not harm the ocean environment if littered.

Ecoclosure

Grant in 2020
Ecoclosure specializes in regenerable building enclosures for commercial, industrial, and residential use. The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Pure Sustainable Technologies specializes in innovative and sustainable hydrogen production technologies. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Redondo Beach, California.

Cypris Materials

Grant in 2019
Manufacturer and distributor of paint color intended to offer sustainable color that broadens the color gamut. The company's platform is developing a new generation of sustainable colors as well as creating paintable heat-reflective coatings as a roofing retrofit for both residential and commercial buildings, enabling customers to get environmentally friendly and sustainable color options.

Singularity Energy

Grant in 2019
Singularity Energy, Inc. is a company that develops a platform for real-time energy and carbon management, aimed at helping corporate clients optimize their energy usage and reduce carbon emissions. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes artificial intelligence to incorporate real-time carbon dioxide signals from the energy grid into its management solutions. This innovative approach allows organizations to co-optimize their energy costs and emissions effectively. Singularity Energy's platform is designed to support climate regulators and sustainability professionals by providing transparent and reliable data, thereby enabling informed decision-making to meet rigorous environmental targets. By offering a modern alternative to traditional carbon reporting methods, the company contributes to the broader goal of grid decarbonization and promotes sustainable practices in various industries.

Ocean

Grant in 2019
Eco-Shelter is a social enterprise founded in 2017 by Alexa Bednar, based in Seattle, Washington. The company focuses on providing safe and affordable roofing solutions for low-income households in India. It specializes in sustainable building materials, offering an eco-roof panel made from resin-coated bamboo mats. These panels are pressed and sealed to create a strong, lightweight, water-resistant, and flame-resistant roofing option. Through its innovative products, Eco-Shelter aims to improve living conditions for underprivileged communities by delivering accessible and environmentally friendly building solutions.

Cleancult

Grant in 2019
Cleancult is a company focused on creating sustainable cleaning products that reduce reliance on single-use plastics. It manufactures refillable items in aluminum bottles and offers all-natural laundry detergents in the form of cleaning pods. These pods contain powerful stain-fighting ingredients and a non-toxic formula, making them suitable for customers with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. By promoting eco-friendly practices and providing effective cleaning solutions, Cleancult aims to support a sustainable lifestyle for its consumers.

Ambercycle

Grant in 2018
Ambercycle is a chemical technology company focused on creating a closed-loop ecosystem for apparel by converting end-of-life textiles into new yarns. The company's innovative recycling technology transforms complex textile waste into a polymer powder, facilitating the recycling process and making it more cost-effective. This approach allows apparel businesses to produce and market clothing using renewable feedstocks, thereby reducing waste and contributing to environmental sustainability. By addressing the challenges associated with textile waste, Ambercycle aims to promote a more sustainable fashion industry.

Ambercycle

Grant in 2017
Ambercycle is a chemical technology company focused on creating a closed-loop ecosystem for apparel by converting end-of-life textiles into new yarns. The company's innovative recycling technology transforms complex textile waste into a polymer powder, facilitating the recycling process and making it more cost-effective. This approach allows apparel businesses to produce and market clothing using renewable feedstocks, thereby reducing waste and contributing to environmental sustainability. By addressing the challenges associated with textile waste, Ambercycle aims to promote a more sustainable fashion industry.

cycleWood Solutions

Grant in 2014
CycleWood Solutions Inc. specializes in producing biodegradable and compostable thermoplastic bags, catering to consumers, governments, and retailers worldwide. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company employs patented technology to create its products, including Xylobag® consumer trash bags and Xylomer® sustainable resins. These offerings are designed to serve as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based plastics. The Xylobag®, for instance, decomposes into humus within 150 days, contributing to reducing plastic waste. By utilizing lignin-based materials, CycleWood Solutions aims to provide cost-comparable options that support a more sustainable society while addressing the growing concerns of plastic pollution.

Soliculture

Grant in 2013
Soliculture is a developer of photovoltaic technologies to offer greenhouse growers the second harvest of electricity without impacting plant growth. The company's LUMO greenhouse provides the agricultural industry with a clean source of renewable energy and sustainable technologies that are symbiotic with optimized growing practices. It was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California.

cycleWood Solutions

Grant in 2012
CycleWood Solutions Inc. specializes in producing biodegradable and compostable thermoplastic bags, catering to consumers, governments, and retailers worldwide. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company employs patented technology to create its products, including Xylobag® consumer trash bags and Xylomer® sustainable resins. These offerings are designed to serve as environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based plastics. The Xylobag®, for instance, decomposes into humus within 150 days, contributing to reducing plastic waste. By utilizing lignin-based materials, CycleWood Solutions aims to provide cost-comparable options that support a more sustainable society while addressing the growing concerns of plastic pollution.

Sustainability A to Z

Grant in 2012
Sustainability A to Z specializes in sustainability science including the implementation of green chemistry and engineering principles towards benign chemicals and formulations, carbon and water footprinting. The company provides research through implementation of a wide range of innovation services for its clients. The services they provide include green chemistry and engineering, computational toxicology, operational footprints, and stakeholder engagements. Sustainability A to Z was founded in 2007 by Dr. Julie Beth Zimmerman in Guilford, Connecticut.
Sustainable Innovations was founded in 2007 by Dr. Trent Molter to develop and manufacture innovative products based on a proprietary, low-cost, large format electrochemical platform that transforms waste gases and power into higher-value forms. Sustainable Innovations’ products serve critical energy and industrial applications having tremendous global commercial and societal value. Its revolutionary, high-pressure proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology builds upon prior private and public investment of over $1 billion in the low-carbon economy and places us in a unique position to address large robust markets having significant commercial and societal importance.

Soliculture

Grant in 2012
Soliculture is a developer of photovoltaic technologies to offer greenhouse growers the second harvest of electricity without impacting plant growth. The company's LUMO greenhouse provides the agricultural industry with a clean source of renewable energy and sustainable technologies that are symbiotic with optimized growing practices. It was established in 2012 and is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California.

Ecovative

Grant in 2012
Ecovative Design LLC is a biomaterials company based in Green Island, New York, with manufacturing facilities in Troy and Paradise, California. Founded in 2007 by Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre, the company creates sustainable materials inspired by the natural bonding properties of mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. Its product line includes Myco board for furniture components, Myco foam for packaging and insulation, Myco make for various consumer goods, and Myco flex and grow materials. Ecovative aims to replace conventional plastics and foams with eco-friendly alternatives that are both high-performing and cost-effective. The company has received multiple grants from organizations such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency, which have supported its development of innovative materials that align with sustainability goals. Through its research and development, Ecovative continues to pioneer the use of natural composites in various applications, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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