Meet the companies in our 2025 Venture Fellows cohort.
This year’s cohort is building bold, science- and tech-driven solutions to improve community resilience and adaptability to weather disasters and environmental-related conditions across Los Angeles and beyond. Spanning weather-resilient infrastructure, clean air solutions, and water conservation, treatment & access, these ventures are united by a shared commitment to community-rooted innovation and impact.
2025 Cohort.
Aequor discovered novel chemicals in the coral reef that eliminate bacterial and fungal contamination in minutes and prevent their formation for days. The company’s EPA-approved, non-toxic analogs out-performed toxic biocides currently used in water treatment systems and agro-industrial processes, as validated by the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and multinationals to disperse biofilm and fouling, improve filtration of PFAS and other toxic chemicals from water sources and save up to 50% energy consumption.
EvoNatura develops bioplastics from upcycled food waste to replace single-use plastics in agriculture. The company’s materials reduce labor and disposal costs by eliminating the need to collect and process traditional plastics. EvoNatura helps agri-food businesses adopt practical, soil-safe alternatives that streamline operations.
From The Land LLC developed and offers Littlest Big Farms, indoor vertical micro-farms for small farmers, nonprofits, and cities. These climate-smart units use 90% less water than outdoor farming and up to 5x less energy than container farms. Their mission is to build a network of Littlest Big Farms to increase food production and livable wage incomes.
HexHomes is committed to bringing innovative solutions to make housing more affordable for residents in California through design, construction, and transportation solutions for modular housing. The company strives to accomplish these goals by prioritizing Affordability, Customizability, Quality, Expandability, and Timeliness throughout their design process.
Mack Research, based in Los Angeles, is transforming clean technology in the building industry with facade-integrated wind energy modules that oscillate to generate on-site renewable power. These systems complement solar by boosting energy resilience and reducing carbon footprints for mid-to-high-rise buildings. Mack Research also provides advanced analysis services, from climate assessments to fluid dynamics, to ensure optimal design and integration.
Ouros Materials is a materials innovation startup building high-performance low-cost materials for construction. The building materials industry is facing unprecedented challenges around fire resiliency, affordability, and environmental impact. The company is changing the norm with new advanced materials technology that is ultra-tough, fire-resistant and 90% lower embodied carbon using their breakthrough low-temperature renewable-energy powered manufacturing that utilizes carbon.
Pure Energy Stream is an energy management company offering hardware-software solutions that optimize fossil fuel and renewable energy use in commercial and industrial facilities. The company’s EcoMAXIM system reduces utility demand and recycles wasted internal power to cut energy costs and emissions. They help facilities become more efficient and self-sustaining while advancing decentralized energy.
Reframe Systems is building the fastest network of robotics and AI-powered microfactories to deliver climate-resilient homes for all. The company’s first microfactory in Andover, MA is producing 20+ homes this year and they’re launching our second microfactory in Los Angeles to accelerate the rebuild of over a thousand homes.
Symmetry Wood creates a new type of wood from food waste, Pyrus™, to replace endangered tropical hardwoods, the logging of which causes significant rainforest destruction and enables a $1.6 billion import market in the U.S. alone. The company is starting by replacing hardwood in musical instruments and will later target flooring, decking, furniture, siding, and more.
Power companies inflict about 50% of the wildfire destruction in the U.S. – with most of the risk coming from overhead power lines touching trees. Existing solutions (putting wires underground, installing insulated wires) cost way too much ($1M-$4M per mile) and take way too long (many years). Witching Hour uses a robotic system to insulate wires in-place, reducing the risk of those wires starting a fire. The company’s solution is about 6x cheaper and an order of magnitude quicker.
Past Cohorts.
Take a look back at the companies who have participated in our program.
The Venture Fellows program is a nine-month, immersive experience that supports innovators to pilot and scale solutions that enhance community resilience and adaptability to weather disasters and related environmental conditions at no-cost.
Tell us about your idea & vision — and our team will be in touch with next steps & more info.
New Venture Fellows program to support women- and minority-led ideas, creating more resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities in U.S. cities
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