Issue #67
Sustainable materials, fertilizers, and supply chains!
Welcome back! ClimateRaise returns with an issue highlighting 4 exciting startups decarbonizing materials and supply chains 🌾 🌊 📦
The ClimateRaise newsletter showcases actively-raising, early-stage climate startups led by founders from historically marginalized backgrounds. We connect them with investors and climate ecosystem partners through warm introductions.
📩 Submit companies, opportunities, and resources for the newsletter (or just say hi!) by emailing us here.
This month, we’re featuring four companies—read more about them below!
VERDE Nanomaterials - cellulose nanofibers from renewable plant waste
Ouros Materials - high-performance composite construction materials
ProjectQRSargasso - transforming invasive sargassum macroalgae into fertilizers
CarbonBright - supply chain sustainability platform for CPG
Request an intro to any of this month’s start-ups!
Featured companies
VERDE Nanomaterials
cellulose nanofibers from renewable plant waste
VERDE Nanomaterials is accelerating the world’s transition to a net-zero future by converting plant waste into advanced biobased materials with high performance and cost-competitive prices. Using proprietary technology, VERDE produces cellulose nanofibers from inexpensive agricultural waste, delivering materials that are at least 10 times cheaper than conventional nanofibers, while maintaining superior performance. This green chemistry approach not only helps reduce the reliance on petroleum-based materials like plastics but also promotes a circular economy by preventing unsustainable farming practices and capturing CO2 during feedstock sourcing.
VERDE was selected for the Activate Fellowship in 2022, and this year the company secured $420K in R&D funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to scale its nanofiber production process. VERDE is currently conducting product validation tests with a global food packaging company in Europe, showcasing its potential to replace plastic components in packaging. Backed by early-stage investments from Collaborative Fund, Gigascale Capital, Impact Science Ventures, and Activate, VERDE is poised for rapid growth in the sustainable materials industry.
Founder & CEO: Danielle Pascoli
HQ: Berkeley, CA
Current funding stage: Pre-Seed
Asks: We're seeking corporate partners who would like to develop new material solutions together. Specifically, companies in the sustainable packaging and coatings spaces are of high interest.
Ouros Materials
high-performance composite construction materials
Ouros Materials is pioneering the next generation of building materials to tackle construction's embodied carbon problem, which accounts for 11% of global GHG emissions. Their innovative composite materials are 3x cheaper than competitors, 4x stronger than concrete, fire-resistant, highly durable, and uniquely machinable. Produced with a proprietary energy-efficient process, these materials require 80% less heat than traditional ceramics manufacturing while also mineralizing CO2.
Ouros Materials is commercializing this technology out of the renowned Rutgers Riman Lab, supported by a team with over 40 years of combined experience in bringing new building materials to market. The company is supported by LabStart and has secured five LOIs from potential customers and has developed lab-scale samples that have received strong testimonials for their performance.
The company’s cofounder, Professor Riman, is a seasoned serial entrepreneur and academic, known for his previous venture, Solidia, which raised over $100M during the Cleantech 1.0 era. With over 40 years of research and more than 15 years of startup experience, Prof. Riman brings invaluable expertise to the team. Ouros Materials is now seeking $1M in funding to scale up its commercialization efforts.
Co-Founder & CEO: Teresa Liu
Co-Founder: Dr. Richard E. Riman
HQ: New York, NY
Current funding stage: Pre-seed
Asks: We're looking for business advisors in the building materials industry, either ex-founders or leaders who've commercialized new building products before, or are an industry leader at an existing architecture firm, distributor, or manufacturer.
ProjectQRSargasso
transforming invasive sargassum macroalgae into fertilizers
ProjectQRSargasso is transforming the environmental challenge of sargassum macroalgae into a sustainable opportunity by processing it into valuable commodities like fertilizer, marine seabed substrate, and hydrogen. This innovative approach addresses the growing threat of sargassum, which causes ocean anoxia and releases harmful hydrogen sulfide (H2S), damaging marine ecosystems like coral reefs. By commodifying sargassum, ProjectQRSargasso aims to lower the cost of agriculture and energy while simultaneously cleaning the oceans.
The company’s impact extends beyond producing bio-based alternatives; it actively funds ocean restoration through its associated initiative, ProjectQRRestore. With partnerships across key sectors, including SOSCarbon as a supplier, UConn and UAlbany for R&D, and Plug Power for hydrogen end-use, ProjectQRSargasso is well-positioned to bring its solutions to market. The company has already secured its first institutional investor, McDermott International, and is awaiting grant approval from NYSERDA to further scale operations. Additionally, ProjectQRSargasso has received an SOA grant and is working with BluMorpho on marina decarbonization, demonstrating its broad commitment to sustainable impact.
Founder & CEO: Edward Shao
HQ: Albany, NY
Current funding stage: Seed
CarbonBright
supply chain sustainability platform for CPG
CarbonBright’s AI-native platform enables consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to automatically and accurately evaluate their products' environmental impact, focusing on supply chain (Scope 3) emissions. By providing detailed, data-driven insights and actionable reduction pathways, CarbonBright helps companies make product and supply chain sustainability measurable and scalable. The platform empowers businesses to not only understand their environmental impact but also implement effective solutions to reduce it.
CarbonBright’s Agentic AI SaaS platform is already in the market and is being used by companies leading the way in CPG sustainability. With a growing mix of paid customers, pilots, and design partners, the company has demonstrated significant traction. CarbonBright is backed by Techstars, FortyTwo.vc, and the Cascade Seed Fund, further positioning it for success in transforming how CPG companies manage their environmental impact.
Co-Founder & CEO: David Rodrigues
Co-Founder & CTO: Thejas Nair
HQ: San Francisco, CA
Current funding stage: Pre-seed
🔍 Community Resources
👩🔬 Activate Fellowship
Activate transforms scientists and engineers into founders, empowering them to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market. The two-year Activate Fellowship provides early-stage science entrepreneurs with funding, technical resources, and unparalleled support from a network of scientists, engineers, investors, commercial partners, and fellow entrepreneurs. Apply here by October 23rd!
🚀 LabStart Entrepreneurship Mentorship Opportunity
Launching a climate startup is tough, but it's totally doable with proper support. Our fellows need your expertise and network to help them bring their game-changing climate innovations to market!
Looking for a chance to help tackle climate change for FREE? We're looking for mentors to guide LabStart fellows as they launch their startups. As a mentor, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact on the development of groundbreaking climate solutions while expanding your network and gaining valuable experience in the climate entrepreneurship space. We request at least 2 hours monthly from October 2024 to February 2025. Check out this overview to learn more about the mentorship positions.
Are you interested in becoming a mentor? Please fill out this form.
Can't commit to being a mentor but still want to support LabStart and our fellows? We'd love your help! Please fill out this form to explore other ways to get involved.
Thanks!
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ClimateRaise resources
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