So, I tried to help adapt our cities to extreme heat & floods. ?? ???

It took us half a year to screen over 1,000 innovators working on making the future of our cities a Utopia. Meet some of the semi-finalists of the Adaptive Cities Innovators Awards, 2024 edition!

Earlier last year, I had the chance to meet one of the executives of one of France’s largest construction companies with global renown: Bouygues Construction.

Through our discussion, I learned a few numbers that staggered me:

• 92% of the buildings standing today will be used in 2050. The construction activity of conglomerates like Bouygues is shifting to become 70% retrofitting and only 30% construction of new buildings.
• In the US alone, nearly half of homes face the threat of extreme weather events as a result of a 1.5-degree climate change, putting $22 trillion worth of real estate assets at risk (CBS).
• The global energy retrofit market was valued at USD 148.2 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 216.5 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

So, 4 months ago, our Atlas Climate Tech Coalition’s team decided to partner up with a few conglomerates in the real estate space.

And that was it, with our partners and judges onboard…

We were now on an adventure to find the most tangible solutions to help our homes keep their comforts, in a high-temperature fluctuating world.

Introducing: https://adaptivecitiesinnovatorsawards.com/

250+ applicants reviewed later…

While the Olympics have just begun in Paris, across the Atlantic Ocean, this week, our team was reviewing the hundreds of technical comments of our judges on the semi-finalists of our award.

The 10 finalists will be showcased to over 100 active climate investors and conglomerates during our flagship event during the New York Climate Week in September 24th, 2024! ??

Most importantly, we will co-invest up to $250,000 with some of our conglomerate partners into some of the finalists that received the most traction!

Today, to help you understand the space of climate tech, we are zooming in a few examples of the semi-finalist companies decarbonizing and adapting the built environment that have been surfaced by our award! ????

Meet two of our green construction champions ?? ???

Green building materials are revolutionizing construction by promoting eco-friendly practices and conserving dwindling non-renewable resources. These materials minimize environmental impact across all stages—extraction, transport, fabrication, installation, recycling, and disposal. Currently, North America leads the charge, holding a 32.05% market share in 2023!

The green construction market is set for explosive growth, soaring from USD 474.21 billion in 2024 to an astonishing USD 1,199.52 billion by 2032, (with a CAGR of 12.3%), and is projected to expand around USD 344.79 billion by 2033 in Asia Pacific market. ????

More about AC3D

Led by Max Bezruko, AC3D (Automated Construction 3D) is a US-based startup tackling the key challenges of the construction industry: addressing the global housing shortage and reducing the negative environmental impact.

How? By developing the production of 3D printing technology that makes construction cheaper, greener, and more productive! ?????

Their solution includes: on-site and off-site 3D printers, printing materials, adopted buildings, and parts design.

Notably, AC3D showcased its prowess in Dubai Municipality’s pilot project by installing 20 distinctive 3D-printed benches in Al-Khazzan Park. ???

More about Formwork IO

To achieve the crucial goal of reducing embodied carbon in new buildings by 40-50% by 2030 and keeping global warming below 2°C, Antonio Ng, former executive director of innovation at AECOM, founded Formwork IO. ?????

This cutting-edge startup is set to revolutionize urban landscapes with its carbon-sequestering building elements, which absorb and store CO2 during production. Formwork IO's innovative products, developed in collaboration with leading institutions like Hong Kong Polytechnic University, are poised to meet the global climate challenge.

Their groundbreaking Circular Carbon Bricks have already made a significant impact with a high-profile installation at Nan Fung Group’s new office in AIRSIDE, Kai Tak, Hong Kong. ????

Meet two of our heat insulation materials champions ????

The home insulation materials market is experiencing transformative growth driven by advancements in energy efficiency and sustainability. In 2024, the market's potential will be tested as companies and individuals increasingly adopt eco-friendly solutions, leading to a surge in demand for innovative insulation materials. By 2050, the market could exceed $1 trillion in value! ????

In the Asia-Pacific region, the home insulation materials market is expected to grow from USD 50 billion in 2023 to USD 80 billion by 2031, reflecting a strong CAGR of 6.0%. Meanwhile, North America dominated with a 40% revenue share in 2023, showcasing its significant role in the market. ????

More about Batiprint3D

Batiprint3D, spearheaded by Fanny Buyens, is revolutionizing the construction industry with its cutting-edge 3D printing and robotics technology, all with a focus on eco-friendliness and improved working conditions. ????

Their technology allows for printing large walls with different materials, offering a fresh approach to designing, building, and renovating homes. It uses recycled and eco-friendly materials, all while meeting top European standards!

Their amazing technology was nominated in 2024 for World Innovation in the Building Sector! ????

More about Zauben

Led by Zachary Smith, Zauben is pioneering nature-based solutions to decarbonize and build green future cities. ?????

By integrating living walls and green roofs with smart technology and biophilic design, Zauben fosters a deeper connection between people and nature.?

Celebrated as one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2020 and a winner of the Yes San Francisco Urban Sustainability Challenge—supported by major players like Deloitte, Salesforce, and Citi—Zauben is at the forefront of urban environmental innovation! ????

Meet one of our airconditioning champions ????

The air conditioning and HVAC market is experiencing transformative growth driven by advancements in energy efficiency and smart technology integration. In 2024, the market's potential will be tested as companies and individuals increasingly adopt eco-friendly solutions, leading to a surge in demand for innovative HVAC systems. By 2050, the market could exceed $1.5 trillion in value! ????

In the Asia-Pacific region, the air conditioning and HVAC market is expected to grow from USD 200 billion in 2023 to USD 320 billion by 2031, reflecting a strong CAGR of 6.0%. Meanwhile, North America dominated with a 45% revenue share in 2023, showcasing its significant role in the market. ????

More about Recoolit

In 2019, Recoolit co-founder Louis Potok identified a critical issue: the disconnect between 3 gigatons of annual emissions and the growing refrigerant waste, exacerbated by a lack of awareness and inadequate solutions… ????

Recoolit addresses this gap by generating high-quality carbon credits, providing a straightforward way for companies and individuals to lower their carbon footprint and support a healthier environment! Their technology partners with an ecosystem to capture harmful refrigerant waste from ACs, fridges, and freezers. ????

Recently, Potok and co-founder Ning Jeng earned recognition for their leadership and expertise, with Potok leading the COPA Technical Working Group on Financing Mechanisms and Jeng joining a special TEAP Task Force on Lifecycle Refrigerant Management.

Meet one of our home energy storage champions ????

The global Energy Storage market, valued at $1.056 trillion in 2023, is set to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. This significant surge is primarily driven by the increased adoption of low-carbon fuels and the implementation of stringent environmental regulations by governments worldwide.

In the Asia-Pacific region, renewable energy is expanding rapidly, with generating capacity growing at an average annual rate of 9%. By 2030, renewables are expected to constitute 30% to 50% of the power generation mix in most APAC markets, notably dominating mainland China, Malaysia, and Vietnam. ????

More about PowerUP Energy

Led by Ivar Kruusenberg, PowerUP Energy Technologies is setting a new standard in clean energy with its cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell generators.?

On a mission to revolutionize energy sustainability and reliability, PowerUP combines two decades of expertise with innovative technology. Their UP series generators and battery extenders provide pure green electricity across sectors like healthcare, construction, telecom, security, and defense. ???

With their recent introduction of groundbreaking technologies like a 3kW hydrogen-powered generator and a 10,000W energy system, PowerUP is poised to reshape clean energy for the construction and mining industries! ????

Climate Tech Investors Summit 2024

In September, join me in New York for the Rendez-Vous of climate-sensible HNWIs, Family Offices, and Top Climate Angel Investors ??

Join us to engage with elite industry leaders like Lowercarbon Capital, Breakthrough, Tesla, and top investors during a mellow family office networking to shape a future for our cities and homes, one we actually want to live in:

Learn More

This newsletter is brought to you by Atlas Capital, with the help of Kylie Angouo Lopes.