DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — The “Make it in Brooklyn Climate Tech Pitch Contest” showcased five Brooklyn-based start-ups addressing climate issues in unique and diverse ways.
The event took place at Hana House on 345 Adams St. on Monday, Oct. 6. Pitches highlighted food waste management, thermal insulation, coffee grounds and more.
Each start-up was given three minutes to state its case, followed by a short question-and-answer session with five climate-savvy judges. The winner was the recipient of a $5,000 prize in addition to advisor services from venture capital platform grIP and industry expert Rob Watson.
Judges for the Climate Tech Pitch contest smile for the camera. Photo by Wayne Daren SchneidermanFive finalists
The five finalists in the climate tech pitch contest included Valorize Systems, Nonoplume, Zero Day, Beautiful Harvest and Coffee Elf. Coffee Elf walked away with first prize, and CEO Helen Zhang said she plans on building the brand with the winnings and recognition, launching more products down the line.
Coffee Elf co-founders holding their first prize check. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Coffee Elf unlocks coffee’s full chemical and physical potential using green chemistry and biotech to reduce coffee industry emissions by upcycling spent coffee grounds into valuable, eco-friendly products.
Valorize Systems is a start-up that transforms biomass into a measurable value by combining human expertise with software to help companies implement waste-to-value solutions.
Valorize Systems co-founder and CEO Tristan Springer.Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
“We are all about using AI agents to transform biomass into energy and carbon removal,” explained co-founder and CEO Tristan Springer. “Our goal is to streamline everything from product feasibility to compliance to sales.”
Nonoplume is an advanced biomaterials company that manufactures one of the lightest and thinnest insulating materials, Bio-Aerogel.
“We think it’s time to reinvent thermal insulation and make insulation more efficient and sustainable,” said co-founder and CEO Theresa Hoffmann.
Theresa Hoffmann, co-founder and CEO of Nanoplume. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Zero Day modernizes outdated food waste management systems in businesses via innovation in food waste recovery.
“New York State generates 28 million pounds of food waste daily,” noted co-founder Maneesa Wijesinghe. “Our products would reduce the waste volume, diverting waste from landfills and into more sustainable alternatives like composting.”
Maneesa Wijesinghe, co-founder of Zero Day. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Beautiful Harvest is a start-up that connects local food vendors with their neighbors. Founder Shamima Sultana underlined that she is “building an online marketplace where one can buy directly from local farmers.”
Shamima Sultana, founder of Beautiful Harvest. Photo by Wayne Daren SchneidermanA conversation with the president
Regina Myer, president of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, told the Brooklyn Eagle that her organization is a strong proponent of supporting innovation and advocating for startups.
“So much of this is about community and networking,” said Myer. “I want people to walk out of here thinking that innovation is supported here in Brooklyn and that we are here for them.”
According to Meyer, the key criteria for winning the “Make It in Brooklyn” contest are products that are mission-driven, thoughtful, promising and able to execute.
Coffee Elf co-founders Helen Zhang and Jessica Wang. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
“While only one can win, this is great practice and great energy for startups,” said Meyer. “Getting up in front of people and articulating what their vision is, what their mission is and what they see for the future is priceless.”
Meyer added that while $5,000 “isn’t going to solve everybody’s problems,” the winnings give the companies “a boost in the polls and a push where it can really matter.”
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and ‘Make it in Brooklyn’
“Make It in Brooklyn” is the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership’s initiative to support and highlight entrepreneurship and cultivate a lasting innovation ecosystem in Kings County. It is a nonprofit local development corporation and the primary champion for Downtown Brooklyn as a world-class business, cultural, educational, residential and retail destination.
Regina Myer, president of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Its programs reach hundreds of startups and companies by facilitating the spread of transformative ideas. Through pitch contests, meet-ups and more, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership has brought together hundreds of entrepreneurs and provided more than $100,000 in seed money and pro-bono professional services.