On April 17, 2025, we welcomed over 130 investors, founders, and sustainability leaders to UC Berkeley Haas for Sustainable Innovation Day 2025—an immersive day dedicated to showcasing actionable climate solutions and connecting innovators with capital.
Organized by the Sustainable Innovation Council in partnership with Berkeley Haas EWMBAA, the event featured:
- •A One-Day Incubator with coaching and mentorship
- •A curated conference with top-tier investors and ecosystem builders
- •Two pitch sessions featuring 14 climate and sustainability startups
Speakers included investors from BMW i Ventures, Alante Capital, Alumni Ventures, At One Ventures, Voyager and Redwood Capital, who also evaluated breakthrough innovations in energy, circularity, and more.
"We're building a launchpad for bold, science-backed solutions to scale faster. This year's cohort is deploying real technologies that can shift the trajectory of our energy and food systems, materials, and carbon economy."
🔋 Pitch Day – Part 1: Hard Climate Tech with Commercial Traction
Startups in this session are actively raising or expanding commercial pilots.
Pando Electric
EV charging + energy optimization for multifamily housing
Sunchem
Nano-filtration tech to extract critical metals from waste streams
Universal Fuel Technologies
Flexiforming—renewable fuels and green chemicals via catalytic conversion
ChargeMate
AI platform boosting EV charger reliability and ROI
ThermoShade
Passive cooling panels that reduce ambient outdoor temps by up to 20°F
BioTwin
Hemp-based structural materials for low-carbon construction
GVP Italy S.R.L.
Composite tanks for transporting hydrogen and other gases at scale
🌱 Pitch Day – Part 2: Early-Stage Finalists from the One-Day Incubator
The second session featured seven finalists from our rapid One-Day Incubator, focused on early innovation with global potential.
Kinetix
High-capacity flywheel storage, 10x more powerful and 90% cheaper
Rhea's Factory
AI-engineered enzymes that recycle previously unrecyclable plastics
Relumi Packaging
Plastic-free pill bottles made from recycled aluminum
Pollentia
Electric boats designed for performance and circularity
HydroVoila
Saliva-based hydration monitoring for elder care and wellness
unClassic
Protein-rich foods from regenerative mushrooms
The Cold Brew Project
Naturally sweet, zero-sugar cold brew for the modern workplace
What's Next
Several of these companies are already preparing funding rounds, new pilots, and international partnerships. The Sustainable Innovation Council will continue to support their growth and visibility through ongoing founder engagement, investor matchmaking, and our next global initiatives.