May 28, 2025 – 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Los Angeles, CA.—Larta Institute, a leading nonprofit advancing sustainable innovation, proudly announces the 2025 cohort of its Venture Fellows program. Now in its third year, the program supports entrepreneurial ventures developing localized, environment-focused solutions to enhance community resilience in Los Angeles and beyond.
This year’s Fellows includes 10 groundbreaking entrepreneurs selected from a national pool of applicants. Each Fellow is tackling urgent, weather-driven and environmental-related issues through innovative approaches in urban resilience, water access, and more.
“This year’s Venture Fellows have been selected for their innovative and creative drive, each addressing critical environmental challenges through technology and ingenuity,” said Rohit Shukla, Founder and CEO of Larta Institute. “Their solutions, from fire-resilient housing to sustainable water management, reflect the urgency and promise of adaptation in our communities.”
Meet the 2025 Venture Fellows:
Weather-Resilient Urban Infrastructure
- From The Land (Yucaipa, CA) – Introduces Littlest Big Farms, compact indoor vertical farms designed to grow food using 90% less water and empower local growers.
- HexHomes (Riverside, CA) – Builds modular, fire-resilient homes that are affordable, sustainable, and customizable to meet housing and climate needs in Southern California.
- Mack Research (Los Angeles, CA) – Develops facade-integrated wind energy modules that generate on-site power for buildings, enhancing urban sustainability and energy independence.
- Ouros Materials (New York, NY) – Develops ultra-durable, fire-resistant building materials with 90% lower carbon impact using renewable-energy-powered manufacturing.
- Pure Energy Stream (Los Angeles, CA) – Offers a hybrid hardware-software system that recycles internal power and cuts emissions for commercial facilities, making decentralized energy more accessible.
- Reframe Systems (Andover, MA) – Builds a network of AI-powered microfactories to deliver affordable, climate-resilient homes, with a second factory launching in Los Angeles.
- Symmetry Wood (Los Angeles, CA) – Creates “Pyrus,” a sustainable wood alternative from food waste to replace endangered hardwoods in instruments, furniture, and construction.
- Witching Hour (Wilmington, NC) – Reduces wildfire risk from overhead power lines by using robotic systems to insulate wires in-place — at a fraction of the time and cost of conventional methods.
Water Conservation & Access
- Aequor Inc. (Encinitas, CA) – Delivers water-efficient, non-toxic cleaning agents inspired by marine biology to reduce energy use and improve water system performance.
Other Innovations Fostering Sustainability
- EvoNatura (Location TBD) – Converts upcycled food waste into biodegradable plastics that reduce agricultural waste and improve soil health.
About the Venture Fellows Program
Larta’s Venture Fellows initiative offers:
- No cost support for guidance in developing innovative solutions
- Personalized mentorship, expert-led sessions, and community partnerships
- Access to Larta’s Ecosystem Action Network (EAN) for funding and partnerships
Each Fellow will have the opportunity to pilot or prototype their solutions in Los Angeles communities, supported by Larta’s robust Ecosystem Action Network (EAN). Support for the 2025 program is provided by Wells Fargo, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Edison International, and SoCalGas.
Since its launch in 2023, Larta’s Venture Fellows program has helped 23 alumni ventures accelerate environment-related and sustainability-focused innovations.
Learn more and explore the cohort at: Larta.org/Venture-Fellows
About Larta Institute
Larta Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accelerates science and technology innovation for a sustainable planet. Since 1993, Larta has supported more than 4,300 startups, enabling scientific and technological breakthroughs that improve lives and strengthen communities. Visit Larta.org to learn more.
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