Focus + Exploration

We’re working with startups + individuals in 3 key areas that we believe will accelerate a circular economy.

REE+

Critical Minerals to Electrify Everything

Critical minerals, including Rare Earth Elements (REEs), possess unique properties that make them essential for modern society and future technological advancements.

They are core to our devices and gadgets. They enable miniaturization. They make things perform better.

These minerals and metals enable new forms of mobility, being essential for manufacturing EV batteries, motors, and other components. They are used in medical devices, diagnostic tools, advanced aircraft, satellites.

They empower our industrial applications - as catalysts, alloys, and other processes - improving efficiency and performance across the board.

Here’s the problem…

Our current methods or getting these minerals? Not so good.

We spend a boatload of money, energy, and other resources moving a lot of rocks around to eventually get to the good stuff.

Then we pile up the things we don’t use to deal with later. Or never.

The good news? There are new replacements for these minerals getting R&D’d in the labs.

In the meantime, new and novel ways to get everything we can out of our extracted resources is the name of the game.

These minerals will drive future economies. They drive trade wars and inspire land grabs. They run our geopolitical agendas. They’re a big deal.

  • E-waste, discarded electrical or electronic devices, includes a range of products from computers, smartphones, screens, and household appliances to the various types of batteries that have reached the end of their useful life. E-waste is characterized by its rapid obsolescence and the presence of both valuable and hazardous materials, making proper management crucial for environmental protection and resource recovery.

    E-waste startups are developing innovative solutions for e-waste collection, processing, and recycling, addressing the challenges of traditional e-waste management methods. These startups offer several advantages, including:

    • Improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness: Startups are leveraging technology and automation to streamline e-waste collection and processing, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

    • Environmentally friendly solutions: Startups are developing innovative recycling technologies that minimize environmental impact and maximize resource recovery.

    • Focus on specific e-waste streams: Startups are often focused on specific e-waste streams, such as printed circuit boards or lithium-ion batteries, which allows them to develop specialized and efficient recycling processes.

    The e-waste industry is a complex and rapidly evolving sector. It encompasses the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of electronic equipment that has reached the end of its useful life. E-waste generation is rapidly increasing due to several factors, including:

    • Rising global electronics consumption: The global electronics market is expected to reach $2.6 trillion by 2025, driven by increasing demand for smartphones, laptops, and other devices.

    • Short product lifecycles: The rapid pace of technological innovation leads to shorter product lifecycles, resulting in more frequent e-waste generation.

    • Planned obsolescence: Some manufacturers design products with short lifecycles to encourage consumers to purchase new products.

    Improper e-waste management poses significant environmental and health risks. E-waste contains hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, which can leach into soil and water if not disposed of properly. Additionally, e-waste burning releases harmful air pollutants.

    The e-waste management industry presents a compelling investment opportunity for several reasons:

    • Significant market growth: The e-waste management market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.9% between 2020 and 2027, reaching $42.8 billion by 2027. This growth is driven by the factors mentioned above, as well as increasing government regulations and consumer awareness of the risks of improper e-waste management.

    • Rising regulatory pressure: Governments around the world are implementing stricter regulations on e-waste management. These regulations are creating new business opportunities for startups that can provide compliant and efficient e-waste management solutions.

    • Innovation and disruption: E-waste startups are developing innovative technologies and business models that are disrupting the traditional e-waste management industry. These startups offer more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solutions.

    • Focus on specific e-waste streams: Startups are often focused on specific e-waste streams, such as printed circuit boards or lithium-ion batteries, which allows them to develop specialized and efficient recycling processes. This focus can lead to higher margins and profitability.

    STEEP ANALYSIS

    SOCIO-CULTURAL

    E-waste. It’s a collective issue.

    So it requires cultural solidarity and social cohesion to address the issue effectively.

    The improper management of e-waste can lead to severe health problems and environmental degradation, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.

    And of course, there is a significant challenge in shifting consumer behavior away from the rapid consumption and disposal of electronics towards more sustainable practices. Addressing these challenges requires raising real awareness, fostering a culture of recycling, and developing social structures that support sustainable e-waste management practices.

    But it’s not impossible. We’ve done similar in the past.

    TECHNOLOGICAL

    It is however technically challenging due to the complex and hazardous materials contained in electronic devices. These materials include heavy metals and toxic substances that require advanced and safe handling techniques for recycling and management.

    Not to mention the rapid pace of technological innovation we all love to tout leads to shorter product lifecycles, increasing the volume of e-waste and the need for even more efficient recycling processes.

    This is an exponential challenge with very linear solutions.

    We need innovative recycling technologies that can efficiently separate and recover valuable materials from e-waste. Visual recognition and robotics can help.

    Then there are the difficulties in recycling specific e-waste streams.

    Think printed circuit boards and lithium-ion batteries. They require specialized processes.

    But the scalability and cost-effectiveness of new recycling technologies are critical factors in their successful implementation and widespread adoption.

    Opportunities exist.

    Advanced recycling technologies can efficiently separate and recover valuable materials from e-waste, reducing environmental impact and resource consumption.

    • Specialized processes for specific e-waste streams, like printed circuit boards and lithium-ion batteries, can enhance recycling efficiency and profitability.

    • automation and AI can streamline e-waste collection and processing, improving cost-effectiveness and scalability.

    These technological advancements can lead to the development of new business models and industry disruption, creating a more sustainable and economically viable e-waste management sector.

    ENVIRONMENTAL

    Currently, E-waste produces hazardous materials, such as heavy metals and toxic substances, contaminating soil and water when not properly managed.

    Many of those hazardous materials and actually valuable.

    That’s significant.

    The costs associated with developing and implementing advanced recycling technologies, as well as the need for significant investment in infrastructure and logistics propose real economic challenges.

    And most solutions we imagine require significant investment in infrastructure and logistics.

    And with all this, the industry faces competition from informal and unregulated recycling practices that may offer lower costs but pose environmental and health risks.

    ECONOMIC

    The economic opportunities in e-waste management arise from the potential for resource recovery. Extracting valuable materials from e-waste can create new business models and revenue streams.

    The increasing regulatory pressure and consumer awareness also drive market growth. We need to investment in innovative startups that can offer efficient and compliant e-waste management solutions.

    POLITICAL

    Finally, there’s the challenge in navigating complex and evolving regulatory landscapes. Governments worldwide are implementing stricter regulations, which can create uncertainty and compliance burdens for startups and established firms.

    Additionally, there might be inconsistencies in regulations across different regions, complicating international operations that drive electronics production.

    We need policies that support innovation and sustainable practices.

    Incentives, grants, or tax benefits for companies that develop efficient and environmentally friendly e-waste management solutions.

    Stricter regulations can also create market opportunities for compliant and innovative firms to gain a competitive edge.

  • Phytomining is an environmentally friendly technology that utilizes plants to extract valuable metals from soil. Certain plants, known as hyperaccumulators, have the ability to absorb and concentrate metals such as copper, nickel, and gold from the earth. This process begins with cultivating these plants on contaminated or metal-rich soils. Once the plants have grown and accumulated significant amounts of the metals, they are harvested and processed to recover the metal content. Phytomining offers a sustainable alternative to traditional mining methods, reducing land disruption and minimizing environmental impact while providing a means of reusing contaminated land.

  • Biomining is a sustainable process that utilizes microorganisms to extract metals and minerals from ores and waste materials. This environmentally friendly technique leverages the natural metabolic processes of bacteria and archaea to solubilize precious and base metals, such as gold, copper, and nickel. By minimizing the use of harmful chemicals and reducing energy consumption, biomining presents a viable alternative to traditional mining methods, promoting resource recovery and environmental preservation.

EFC

Earth Friendly Computation

Every major evolution in computing in history - the algorithms, the machines, the networks - was inspired by biology.

The Turing Machine? Turing described the abstracted construct using a biological specimen - patterns formed during morphogenesis.

Neural Networks? They mimicked the structure and function of neurons in the brain to create complex computational systems capable of learning and adapting, basically paving the way for AI.

Swarm Intelligence and Evolutionary Algorithms capable of performing intelligent calculations even though the individuals comprising the system might not be intelligent? Ants. And Mutation.

These computational innovations were informed by biology…

What happens when we lean into biology a little more?

Information reshuffling , thermal regulation, self-renewal, low energy processes, self-organization - these are all computing challenges that nature has already solved. They are core principles of nature. And they didn’t happen by accident.

These solutions happened through generational iteration, adaptation and evolution.

Nowadays, upgrades in computing are expected. Just another decimal point improvement. More hype than exponential leap.

But if you force yourself to look further - beyond the incremental, beyond the TPS reports and into thinking beyond? Big things can happen.

  • The potential to reuse old CPUs and GPUs presents a valuable opportunity for sustainability in technology. As advancements in computing power continue, many users replace their hardware more frequently than necessary, leading to a significant accumulation of obsolete components. These aging processors and graphics cards can still serve a purpose, whether through repurposing in budget-friendly builds, creating dedicated servers, or contributing to educational projects.

  • Thermally regulating data centers in more sustainable ways presents various opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Implementing innovative cooling technologies, beyond liquid cooling systems or immersive cooling methods, can significantly lower energy consumption compared to traditional air conditioning.

  • DNA has emerged as a groundbreaking medium for data storage due to its remarkable density and durability. One gram of DNA can theoretically store about 215 petabytes of data, far surpassing traditional storage methods such as hard drives and magnetic tapes. The biological structure of DNA allows for efficient encoding of information in a compact format, making it an attractive option for addressing the exponential growth of data in our digital age. Additionally, DNA storage is energy-efficient and has the potential for longevity, with the ability to last thousands of years if preserved correctly.

Bio mfg

Biology. It’s how things were created - forever.

At least for the last 3.8 Billion years.

Recently, humans introduced a new model and machines started doing the work.

Production went from hand-crafted to large-scale, faster and more.

Spinning metal things in factories, powered by engines and more spinning things creating more products. Growing economies, improved transportation and economic growth.

More power, more problems.

Widespread pollution of our air and water.

Natural resource depletion and degradation.

Dangerous and exploitative workplaces.

Mass urbanization through centralization.

The social-cultural and environmental landscape paid the price.

What next? Get back to biology.

Biomanufacturing has the potential to make things better.

By utilizing biological processes and organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, and algae, biomanufacturing can produce materials, chemicals, and fuels with a reduced carbon footprint and higher performance compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

Using living systems unlocks the cheat code.

To produce things that are Locally Attuned and Responsive.

Local inputs - local outputs. On-shoring and reshoring.

Biomanufacturing can Adapt to changing conditions - variable feedstocks, resistance to environmental stressors and flexible process designs - allow for rapid adaptation to new conditions and production needs.

Back to life. Back to reality

  • Cooperation is a fundamental element that drives innovation, particularly among scientists and climate entrepreneurs who often work collaboratively to tackle complex challenges. By sharing knowledge, resources, and diverse perspectives, they create an environment conducive to groundbreaking ideas and solutions. This collaborative spirit fosters interdisciplinary partnerships that combine various fields of expertise, enabling the development of sustainable technologies and practices that address climate change. As these individuals unite their efforts, they amplify their impact, resulting in innovative approaches that not only advance scientific understanding but also promote environmental stewardship and social responsibility. In this way, cooperation emerges as a catalyst for transformative change in addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time.

  • The answers to many of our modern challenges can be found in natural evolution.

    Biomimicry looks at solutions that have been tried, tested, and implemented, in nature and then ideates on solutions for different problems that build on those same principles.

    It is an approach to innovation that looks to nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies for solutions to human challenges. Learning from these patterns and strategies can happen in different ways: form (physical structures), process (how things are done), and ecosystem (how systems work together).

    Does a comparable constraint exist in biology and, if yes, how has nature solved this?

    So what kind of solutions should we think about?

    There really is not a single answer.

    There isn’t a single type of problem that biomimicry suits best.

    What breakthrough technologies of the future might be hiding in nature?

    What natural processes drive new levels of efficiency while delivering high performance?

    What organizational principles can we borrow in the design of our companies and communities?

  • Biomanufacturing harnesses the principles of natural processes to create materials and products that are closely aligned with local resources, challenges, and opportunities. By mimicking the efficiency and adaptability of biological systems, biomanufacturing enables industries to utilize region-specific raw materials, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact. This approach not only fosters sustainable practices but also empowers local economies by creating tailored solutions that address the unique needs of communities. As a result, biomanufacturing unlocks innovative capabilities, enhancing resilience and encouraging a circular economy that benefits both people and the planet.

  • Biomanufacturing possesses a distinct advantage over traditional manufacturing processes due to its inherent flexibility and responsiveness to changing conditions. Unlike traditional manufacturing, which often relies on rigid protocols and fixed machinery, biomanufacturing can leverage biological systems that are inherently dynamic. This adaptability allows for rapid adjustments in production techniques and scales, enabling manufacturers to respond efficiently to shifts in demand, resource availability, or environmental factors. Consequently, biomanufacturers can quickly modify strains or adjust growth conditions to optimize yields, making them more resilient to fluctuations in market conditions or supply chain disruptions.

Focus + Exploration

We continually explore emerging opportunity areas.

Resilience/Insurance

  • The climate is changing. And we’re accelerating it.

    Extreme weather events are all around us, periodically reminding us that we are likely very doomed. Until we forget. Then the next one happens. We forget again. For the lucky ones evading these catastrophies? This is our cycle.

    What if we don’t forget?

    What if we adapt to the changing conditions?

    This is how organisms survive over billions of years - resillience.

    Resilience through variation.

    Reseilience through redundancy.

    Resilience through decentralization.

    They maintain integrity through self-renewal

    They incorporate diversity in their ways of being.

    Significant impacts are coming - from more frequent and severe weather, ocean warming and acidification, extended periods of drought and extreme temperatures, megafires, and other damaging effects of climate change.

    Prepare for it? We better.

    Recover from it? I hope.

    We are nature - we can be resilient at the asset, community, and individual levels.

    There’s really no better option.

    Evolve to survive.

Regenerative food systems

  • Regenerative Food Systems are essential for sustaining both people and the planet. They focus on restoring and enhancing the natural resources used in food production, rather than merely exploiting them. This leads to healthier, more resilient ecosystems and more nutritious food. The approach benefits the planet by improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and increasing biodiversity. For people, it ensures a stable food supply and supports rural communities by creating sustainable livelihoods. It represents a win-win solution for environmental sustainability and food security.

  • Food waste presents both a pressing need and significant opportunity for innovation. With approximately one-third of all food produced globally going to waste, the imperative to address this issue is clear. Transforming food waste into valuable products, such as compost, biofuels, and even biodegradable packaging, can not only reduce the environmental impact of discarded food but also contribute to a circular economy. By leveraging technology and creative approaches, businesses can turn discarded materials into resources, fostering sustainability and economic viability while simultaneously addressing the urgent challenges of waste management and resource scarcity.

Construction + the built environment

  • This sector is responsible for a substantial portion of global emissions, innovations here can have a dramatic impact on reducing our carbon footprint. Opportunities include the development of energy-efficient building methods, integration of renewable energy sources, and the use of sustainable materials.

  • Waste conversion into biofuels, biogas, or electricity offers potential for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a circular economy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

biodiversity

  • Biodiversity, the rich variety of life on Earth, is not merely a matter of environmental concern; it is also an economic imperative. The intricate web of life supports ecosystem services that are essential for human well-being, from providing clean water and air to regulating climate and pollinating crops. The decline of biodiversity poses a significant threat to these services, with far-reaching economic consequences.

  • Oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface and hold 97% of its water, functioning as a core life-support system for climate regulation, food supply, and biodiversity. Yet this system is under escalating pressure from plastic and chemical pollution, warming and acidification, habitat loss, and extractive practices.

    We treat ocean resilience as both an urgent risk to manage and a design space for building regenerative businesses. We map the leading research and advocacy organizations shaping the field, then translate the problem set into investable opportunity areas where innovation can:

    . Prevent leakage at the source through better packaging, supply chains, infrastructure, and incentives.

    . Convert unavoidable waste streams into valuable inputs across plastics, fishing byproducts, and marine biomass.

    . Scale restoration and protection with enabling technology and durable financing (coral reefs, seagrass, kelp, and coastal ecosystems).

    . Apply biomimicry from reefs, kelp forests, and marine organisms to create resilient materials, processes, and business models.

forest futures

  • Creating healthy forests gives us the opportunity to protect air quality, access to water and ensure wildlife habitat.

    Increase wildfire resilience in our forests.

    Impact Strategy

  • Strengthen rural economic resilience by funding the workforce, infrastructure and industry that utilize hazardous forest waste.

    Impact Strategy

  • Demonstrate that local, collaborative climate action can scale and speed sustainable forest management—creating a model which can be replicated in other global mountain communities.

    Impact Strategy

Water

  • Access to clean water is fundamental for the well-being of individuals and communities, making the pursuit of solutions to increase water access vital. Water scarcity affects billions of people worldwide, leading to health issues, economic challenges, and social inequality. By addressing barriers such as infrastructural deficits, pollution, and climate change, we can enhance water availability and quality for everyone. Improved access to water not only promotes better health outcomes but also supports agriculture, education, and economic development, fostering a more equitable society. Ensuring that every person has access to this essential resource is critical for sustainable development and global stability.

  • As populations grow and climate change impacts water availability, adopting effective water management practices becomes increasingly essential. This includes reducing waste, improving irrigation techniques, and promoting water conservation among individuals and industries. By prioritizing innovative approaches to water usage, we can protect ecosystems, support agricultural productivity, and secure access to clean water for future generations. Addressing water consumption not only aids in environmental preservation but also enhances the resilience of communities in the face of growing water scarcity.

  • Innovating methods to preserve water is essential for ensuring the sustainability of our planet's resources. As population growth and climate change exert increasing pressure on freshwater supplies, effective water conservation strategies become paramount. Innovations in water capture, storage, and recycling can significantly reduce waste and enhance the efficiency of water usage across various sectors, from agriculture to urban settings. Emphasizing technology, such as smart irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting, fosters a more responsible approach to water management. By prioritizing innovative solutions, we can protect this vital resource for future generations and promote ecological balance in an increasingly water-scarce world.