University of Washington's CoMotion Labs Launches New Climate Tech Incubator Cohort

The University of Washington’s CoMotion Labs has announced the second cohort of startups participating in its Climate Tech Incubator, aimed at addressing various sustainability challenges. This six-month program, located at the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub, supports early-stage companies in enhancing electric vehicle (EV) adoption, reducing plastic usage, and developing smart climate strategies for urban areas. The incubator provides resources for building teams, refining business plans, and preparing for investor pitches, culminating in a demo day scheduled for September.

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Eight startups have been selected for this cohort, each focusing on innovative solutions to climate-related issues:

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• Astraeus Ocean Systems: A maritime ag-tech startup specializing in water-quality monitoring and crop modeling for shellfish and seaweed cultivation.

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• Benchmark Star: This company assists facilities managers in complying with clean building regulations through automated tracking and reporting of utility data.

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• Climate Solutions International: Founded by Jan Whittington, this startup leverages strategies developed for enhancing urban resilience against climate change, previously funded by the World Bank for application across 300 cities in 30 countries.

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• EVQ: An AI-powered platform designed to simplify the process of finding, purchasing, and operating electric vehicles, addressing common barriers to EV ownership.

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• FlameWise: Producing portable kilns for converting unwanted woody debris into biochar, this startup offers a low-smoke alternative to traditional burning methods.

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• OceanMade: This company creates biodegradable pots from seaweed, promoting sustainable practices among nurseries and small farms.

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• REearthable: Focused on manufacturing biodegradable plastics from waste limestone, this startup targets applications in cosmetics and food packaging.

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• Seeking Ferments: A producer of locally sourced fermented beverages and kombucha, emphasizing community engagement through farmers markets and online sales.

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The Climate Tech Incubator represents a significant step in fostering innovation within the climate tech sector. Jared Silvia, a partner at Gliding Ant Ventures, emphasized the necessity of supporting founders in the region to establish leadership in climate technology. The initiative not only aids startups in their development but also contributes to the broader goal of addressing climate change through entrepreneurial efforts.

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While the incubator has received positive feedback, some critics argue that the focus on startups may overlook the need for larger systemic changes in policy and infrastructure to effectively combat climate change. There are concerns that without comprehensive support from government and industry, the impact of these startups may be limited.

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• “If our region is serious about being a leader in climate tech, we need to find more ways to support more founders,” — Jared Silvia, Partner at Gliding Ant Ventures

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• “The kelp containers also support root development and naturally degrade in the soil after planting.” — Emily Power, CEO of OceanMade

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The CoMotion Labs Climate Tech Incubator is poised to play a crucial role in the evolution of climate technology solutions, with its cohort of startups addressing pressing environmental challenges through innovative approaches.

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