Storrs, Connecticut, September 18, 2023: The University of Connecticut, R/GA Ventures, and CTNext are kicking off the second cohort of the Future Climate Venture Studio this week, with six startups creating solutions across a range of critical areas of climate tech.
The Studio launched earlier this year as a partnership between UConn, a national and global leader in interdisciplinary climate research, R/GA Ventures, a leading venture studio operator and early-stage investor; and CTNext, a state agency dedicated to public-private partnership to catalyze Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem.
The startups selected for the second cohort are:
- Afterlife Ag: Afterlife Ag is building a network of circular mushroom farms and leveraging the power of mycelium to decompose food waste to create fresh, local, and sustainable mushrooms and biochar for everyone.
- Eli Technologies: Eli empowers contractors to make electrification more affordable, for everyone.
- Homeostasis: Homeostasis removes CO2 from the atmosphere and transforms it into carbon materials critical for batteries.
- Monterra: We help EV charging installers design, quote, and propose projects in minutes, not days.
- Raincoat: Providing instant-paying climate insurance at scale.
- Ric: Ric is a micro parametric platform and solution provider that supports resiliency post catastrophe for individuals and communities.
The Studio is one of a series of initiatives for UConn that establish the University as a leader in climate change and clean energy research and innovation. Working with other institutions and industrial leaders, the University has expanded its influence and worked with state leaders toward the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2040. UConn was recently honored as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).
“UConn and its partners have high standards for the startups involved with the Future Climate Ventures Studio, seeking those whose business endeavors mesh well with our commitment to clean energy and sustainability,” said Pamir Alpay, UConn’s Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. “These startups represent the intersection of entrepreneurship with climate responsibility, and UConn is proud to be a partner in their mission.”
The program and its partners will provide the selected startups with access to industry and UConn faculty experts, capital investment from R/GA Ventures, technology facilities at the Innovation Partnership Building at UConn, as well as guidance from the Studio’s Investor-in-Residence, Cody Simms from MCJ Collective, a media platform and investment fund powering innovative climate solutions.
Additional partners include CT Innovations, the state of Connecticut’s venture capital arm; Connecticut Green Bank, the nation’s first green bank; and the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).
You can learn more about the Future Climate Venture Studio at futureclimateventurestudio.com.
About the University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut is a national and global leader among public research universities, with more than 32,000 students seeking answers to critical questions in classrooms, labs, and the community. A culture of innovation drives this pursuit of knowledge throughout the University’s network of campuses. Connecticut’s commitment to higher education helps UConn attract students who thrive in the most competitive environments, as well as globally renowned faculty members. UConn fosters a diverse and vibrant culture that meets the needs and seizes the opportunities of a dynamic global society.
About R/GA Ventures
R/GA Ventures works with startups and organizations to create a more human future. We do this by identifying disruptive and inspiring technologies and ideas, and supporting those ideas with the financial, creative, and relationship capital necessary to drive growth and returns. R/GA Ventures has run 31 programs to date across numerous verticals. R/GA Ventures and R/GA are part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG). Learn more at rgaventures.com and by following @rgaventures.
About R/GA
R/GA is a global digital design and experience agency, part of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG), across the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia-Pacific. We help brands and businesses define, envision, and create a more human future through our core practices, including media, connected communications, product and experience, brand relationship design, brand design consultancy, and specialized offerings like R/GA Health and R/GA Ventures. For more information, please visit rga.com.
About CTNext
CTNext is Connecticut’s catalyst for entrepreneurship. CTNext leverages public and private investment to create and support programs that help fund, advise, connect and inspire innovators with new and early-stage companies. Our mission is to accelerate startup growth and success, positioning Connecticut as the most desirable location in the country for an innovative company to build, grow and create jobs. Learn more at ctnext.com.
Media Contact
Melanie Mahaffey
Global Executive Director, Marketing & Communications
melanie.mahaffey@rga.com
+1 512 736 6022