Earthshot Ventures

Climate change creates new risks for electric utilities. From more frequent and intense storms to droughts that create wildfire-friendly conditions, it’s now more critical than ever for these companies to enact mitigation measures that account for these risks. One mitigation is the proactive inspection and inventory of grid assets at-scale, usually by piloting aerial drone missions to collect imagery and video on each asset. While these methods have proven to increase both grid safety and resiliency, most are employed on the transmission grid but not on the distribution grid. This is because, compared to transmission grid assets, distribution grid assets are too numerous, too geographically dispersed, are often located in densely populated areas, and the aerial view is often obscured by vegetation for much of the year. This makes piloting drone inspection missions over distribution grid assets extremely difficult. Yet, 90% of power outages occur on the distribution grid and there are cases of faulty distribution grid equipment sparking wildfires, such as the recent Silverado Fire in Southern California. Noteworthy AI solves this problem by ensuring that distribution grid assets are adequately inspected and monitored. Our solution combines hardware at the Edge and software in the Cloud to help electric utilities inspect and inventory distribution grid assets at scale. Our Edge hardware mounts directly on electric utility fleet vehicles (e.g. repair trucks) and uses proprietary computer vision to inspect and inventory distribution poles and their components with no impact on crew duties. Results are sent to our Cloud software in real-time. This converts non-productive fleet vehicle travel time into active inspection and monitoring at a low cost, enabling electric utilities to reap grid resiliency and safety benefits on the distribution grid as well.

Vibrant Planet provides land management services and technology solutions to accelerate land restorations. The company collaborates with scientists, land management leaders, and policymakers to build a cloud-based system that informs and facilitates collaborative planning. Vibrant Planet was founded in 2004 by Allison Wolff and is based in Incline Village, Nevada.

Planet FWD is a San Francisco-based company focused on producing snacks made from regenerative ingredients aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the food system. By sourcing from farmers who employ carbon-capturing practices, the company not only supports sustainable agriculture but also promotes the use of climate-friendly products. Additionally, Planet FWD operates a regenerative food platform that connects brands and consumers interested in creating and consuming environmentally responsible products. Its commitment to sustainability extends to using compostable packaging, further enabling consumers to minimize their carbon footprint.

MicroByre, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Berkeley, California. The company focuses on developing genetically tractable strains from non-model micro-species, specializing in the domestication and genetic engineering of bacteria that are typically resistant to industrial applications. By utilizing a unique technology platform, MicroByre creates a reliable and generalizable domestication pipeline that supports fermentation processes. Its machine-learning platform analyzes a comprehensive dataset to identify bacteria that meet specific industrial functional criteria, facilitating precise genetic modifications. This approach provides clients with enhanced flexibility and yield while reducing the need for nutritional additives and improving contamination tolerance and phage resistance. Overall, MicroByre serves the biotechnology sector by addressing challenges in microbial utilization for industrial purposes.

Halo is a free fleet management dashboard which let's fleet operators order and pay for services such as fuel delivery, car washing, maintenance, and other conveniences in just a few clicks from an app without the need for aftermarket hardware. Halo fits your car into a lightweight platform that empowers you with knowledge. Halo gives your car a voice by translating the car-into-human language, then displaying it in a simple mobile app wherever you are. Empowered with knowledge about what is going on with your car, halo lets you connect with service providers, even schedule the correct service right within the app. It’s all about having a better car ownership experience.

Developer of an energy efficiency technology designed to help heavy industries to monetize their waste heat and decarbonize their operations. The company's technology monetizes waste heat resources by installing waste heat in power facilities, enabling clients to reduce fuel consumption and X-carbon dioxide emissions by converting waste heat into clean energy.

Mootral is a Swiss AgriTech company that develops innovative carbon reduction solutions for companies and governments. Its first solution is a natural feed supplement that significantly reduces methane emissions from ruminants. Mootral is based on a proprietary combination of active compounds from garlic and flavonoids derived from citrus. Its research shows a nearly complete inhibition of emitted methane in vitro that reaches up to 38% reduction under real farm conditions.

KoBold Metals is investing in battery materials projects across the globe by combining basic ore-deposit science, big data, and scientific computing with patient private capital.The company's software uses datasets with conventional geochemical, geophysical and geological data in statistical association models to identify prospects to ensure a cobalt supply for the electric vehicle revolution, enabling mineral exploration companies to find new sources of cobalt through machine learning and data analysis.

MicroByre, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Berkeley, California. The company focuses on developing genetically tractable strains from non-model micro-species, specializing in the domestication and genetic engineering of bacteria that are typically resistant to industrial applications. By utilizing a unique technology platform, MicroByre creates a reliable and generalizable domestication pipeline that supports fermentation processes. Its machine-learning platform analyzes a comprehensive dataset to identify bacteria that meet specific industrial functional criteria, facilitating precise genetic modifications. This approach provides clients with enhanced flexibility and yield while reducing the need for nutritional additives and improving contamination tolerance and phage resistance. Overall, MicroByre serves the biotechnology sector by addressing challenges in microbial utilization for industrial purposes.

Aquabyte, Inc. specializes in developing advanced monitoring systems for the aquaculture industry, focusing on enhancing fish farming efficiency through machine learning and computer vision technologies. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco with an additional office in Bergen, Norway, Aquabyte's innovative solutions include a smart camera system that facilitates real-time sea lice counting, biomass estimation, appetite detection, and feed optimization. By providing a comprehensive web dashboard for continuous monitoring, Aquabyte enables fish farms to reduce operational costs and minimize environmental impacts, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and profitable aquaculture sector. The company's commitment to leveraging technology aims to address challenges in food production, making a significant impact on the industry's growth and efficiency.

Mitra Chem specializes in the development and commercialization of iron-based cathode materials aimed at advancing electrification in electric vehicles and energy storage solutions. Founded in 2021 in Palo Alto, California, the company significantly reduces the lab-to-market timeline for lithium-ion battery materials by over 90%. By integrating research and development with manufacturing capabilities, Mitra Chem transforms battery materials from mere commodity chemicals into differentiated products tailored for specific applications. This approach not only enhances cell performance but also positions the company as a leader in providing innovative solutions to original equipment manufacturers and battery cell producers.

Lilac Solutions has developed a new ion exchange technology to address the challenges faced by lithium producers. Lilac's technology cuts capital and operating costs, accelerates project startup, boosts lithium recovery, and unlocks new resources. Their process is modular and can be ramped up quickly through pilot and commercial projects. Lilac is a mining technology company and is building partnerships with brine developers and operators around the world.

Vibrant Planet provides land management services and technology solutions to accelerate land restorations. The company collaborates with scientists, land management leaders, and policymakers to build a cloud-based system that informs and facilitates collaborative planning. Vibrant Planet was founded in 2004 by Allison Wolff and is based in Incline Village, Nevada.