Sustainable Solutions Challenge

Finalists Announced

Following a rigorous selection process led by a multidisciplinary panel of expert reviewers from academia, industry, and urban development, The Exchange is proud to announce the finalists of the Sustainable Solutions Challenge:

Cohort 1: Companies under active evaluation for integration into the project right now.  

1. Hempwood: Hemp based interior finish product - HempWood is an engineered wood alternative for indoor applications that uses a hemp- and soy-based construction, carbon-negative/zero-waste manufacturing process, and zero-VOC formula to sequester carbon and reduce embodied carbon in built environments. 

1. Ouros Materials: Carbon sequestered finish product - Ouros Materials is a materials technology startup developing ultra-tough, resilient, low-cost composite materials using captured CO₂ to lower embodied carbon in construction. 

1. Phytostone: Biochar based interior wall tile - Made in Brooklyn, Cast Carbon is a biochar-enriched, cradle-to-compost architectural wall tile offering clean beauty, carbon storage and Class A fire ratings. 

1. Prometheus Materials: Concrete alternative - ProZERO™ is an innovative cement replacement that significantly lowers the global warming potential of any concrete mix with a unique blend that incorporates microalgae. 

1. Reefcycle: Concrete alternative (Waterfront) - ReefCycle’s next-generation enzymatic cement—inspired by corals and oysters—is a strong, durable, fast-curing biocement that both reduces emissions and sequesters carbon, offering a regenerative alternative to conventional cement. 

1. Urban Mining: Concrete alternative - Pozzotive® Ground Glass Pozzolan is a low-carbon, high-performance cement replacement for all types of concrete that’s made from recycled waste glass and produces concrete with enhanced properties, including strength, durability, and resistance to corrosive road salts and saltwater. 

Cohort 2: Companies with future integration potential (operations, future energy needs or special pilot projects) 

1. BIOM Technologies: Plant-based air purifier - BIOM’s living moss biofilters act as fresh air generators or “rebreathers" for buildings, improving indoor air quality while reducing the HVAC energy conventionally used to condition and supply outdoor air. 

1. Blue Frontier: HVAC Related Technology - Blue Frontier’s Energy Storing Efficient Air Conditioner (ESEAC) uses liquid desiccant and thermal storage to deliver a more efficient, grid-friendly alternative to conventional cooling. 

1. CLIP: E-Bike Library - CLIP expands access to clean mobility with its patented, zero-tools, 5-second upgrade tech that turns any analog bike into an e-bike; through community-led CLIP libraries. This approach offers a scalable and inclusive model for deploying e-bikes in the areas that need them most. 

1. Compocity: Composting solution - Compocity transforms food waste into an impactful community experience through an energy-efficient in-building system that combines convenient multi-bin fermentation with a gamified digital platform, driving behavior change, producing nutrient-rich soil food, and making sustainability visible, tangible, and rewarding across offices, real estate, and hospitality spaces. 

1. Demi Composting: Composting solution - Demi is a smart composting system that empowers urban communities to divert food waste from landfills through real-time engagement, education, and data, transforming everyday habits into collective climate action. 

1. MicroEra Power: HVAC Related Technology - MicroEra Power’s THERMAplus is a unique, "Tunable" Thermal Energy Storage system which is a companion technology for heat pumps or chillers to make commercial heating and cooling loads flexible - shifting electrical loads from peak to off-peak times, improving efficiency and resiliency, and freeing up grid capacity for new loads such as EV charging, heat pumps, data centers, and economic growth. 

1. Mill: Food Recycler - Mill is a waste prevention technology company that makes it easy for people and institutions to prevent food waste and keep food out of landfills.  

1. Miller Proctor Nickolas: HVAC Related Technology - Miller Proctor Nickolas’ solution leverages the advanced capabilities of Oilon heat pumps to utilize multiple heat sources—such as ambient air, geothermal loops, and waste heat—based on seasonal availability and building load profiles. This intelligent source management strategy enhances system efficiency, maximizes COP throughout the year, and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, making it a robust and scalable approach to low-carbon building electrification. 

1. MIMic Systems: HVAC Related Technology - MIMiC has developed a refrigerant-free system for heating and cooling based on a solid-state heat pump that is easy to install and maintain. 

1. Moby Filters: Water filtration for microplastics - Moby Filters captures and reuses microplastics from textile washing and manufacturing with scalable modular filters for commercial laundry and water systems. 

1. Racoon Eyes: Food Waste minimizing interactive technology - Racoon Eyes uses 3D imaging to automatically measure and analyze food waste in dining services, helping institutions cut waste by up to 30%, reduce costs, and improve the dining experience while engaging students in behavior change. 

1. RePurpose Energy: Energy Storage - RePurpose Energy is focused on reusing EV batteries to create reliable, low-cost “second-life” energy storage systems. 

1. SHARC Energy: Wastewater Energy Transfer - SHARC Energy harnesses the untapped thermal energy in wastewater with its Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) systems, providing buildings and campuses with reliable, renewable heating, cooling, and hot water production while reducing GHG emissions, freshwater use, and operating costs. 

1. WAttAir: Air moisture capture for potable water - WattAir is a modular, solar- and waste heat-powered device that passively captures moisture from the air to produce clean, potable water on-site—offering a resilient, regenerative, and energy-efficient solution for decentralized water access in buildings, public spaces, and off-grid environments. 

Each team will receive support to engage with the design and engineering teams leading the development of the Exchange’s campus.