Alyssia Richardson | Colorado

Princess Gardens Worm Farm

Princess Gardens Worm Farm is dedicated to promoting sustainability through vermiculture, composting, and soil regeneration. By educating communities on the benefits of organic waste reduction and regenerative agriculture, the farm empowers individuals to take tangible steps toward combating climate change. They have educated over 4,500 community members through workshops and hands-on training sessions, fostering widespread adoption of regenerative practices like composting and soil revitalization and diverted approximately 8 tons of organic waste from landfills, converting it into nutrient-rich compost that supports urban agriculture and green spaces.

Ana Pano | California

Panos Concrete Inc.

Growing up as an undocumented teenager, Ana witnessed the mental health challenges faced by immigrant construction workers like her father and uncles. She founded Panos Concrete Inc. to promote employee well-being, sustainable construction practices, and social equity across the construction industry. She has trained 100% of her team on sustainable construction practices, including water recycling and waste management, promoting a culture of environmental responsibility. Additionally, she has launched a Spanish-speaking wellness app to support the mental health of Latino construction workers in the Central Valley and promote awareness of mental health in their community.

Brittany Salas | California

nycx

nyxc is a platform which connects major financial institutions with companies providing carbon removal and ecosystem restoration services. It ensures transparency through a real-time verification process using third party data sources such as Climate Action Data Trust by the World Bank. Currently piloting with the Community Development Finance Institution, nyxc has an active pipeline of over 1,100 companies and aims to facilitate $40 million in transactions. Prior to founding nyxc, Brittany built a mobile app called Sadu which leverages digital assets and gamification to verify nonprofit donations Sadu currently has 3,000 active users.

Cesar Chacon | California

El Jacal

El Jacal is a for-profit venture dedicated to producing high-quality, sustainable mezcal while supporting Indigenous farmers and preserving traditional agricultural practices. Legally incorporated in the U.S., El Jacal operates with one full-time and three part-time team members, focusing its impact in California and nationwide, with an initial emphasis on California and Nevada. The venture has raised $15,000 in capital and, over the past 12 months, El Jacal has generated revenue by sourcing organic, small-batch mezcal from Oaxacan producers, securing partnerships with retail stores and restaurants, and hosting educational tasting events.

Gabriel Nagel | Colorado

Change Carbon

During 2017 wildfires in Boulder, CO, Gabriel realized that behind every wildfire, flood, and climate crisis, there was carbon—a force he could quantify, reduce, and transform. He was inspired to found ChangeCarbon, a nonprofit dedicated to quantifying and reducing carbon emissions at the community level. Their app empowers people to calculate their carbon footprints while offering personalized suggestions for how to reduce and offset their emissions. They’ve received $5,000 in funding from Amazon Web Services, won first place for their Pitch at Denver Startup Week, and partnered with Trees for the Future to plant over 10,000 trees in under-resourced areas of Denver, directly offsetting emissions.

Juli Lacuaniello | California

WaveWise Technologies

WaveWise Technologies is developing a dual-purpose wave energy converter (WEC) that provides coastal protection while generating clean energy for disaster relief and grid support. By integrating nature-inspired designs that mimic reefs and mangroves, the company aims to create a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to traditional seawalls, reducing storm surge damage while enhancing biodiversity. With roots in the Department of Energy BOOST program and research from the National Renewable Energy Lab, WaveWise is focused on customer validation, technical development, and securing grants to deploy a prototype by 2025, helping coastal communities adapt to climate change.

Melissa Wyatt | California

MW Enterprises LLC

MW Enterprises LLC is a B Corp-certified real estate development and investment company dedicated to transforming urban, historic, and underrepresented landscapes through sustainable and community-centered projects. They integrate environmentally conscious practices, such as energy-efficient building materials and recycling programs, into all of their projects which include a 100% walkable community-centered retail hub in Little Rock, CA, which is expected to serve over 1,000 residents. They are planning to launch an internship program designed to empower future leaders in real estate development and equip them in sustainable and community-based practices.

Miranda Magana | California

MiniNature Reserve

MiniNature Reserve is dedicated to introducing the next generation of Latinx youth to the power of community-engaged climate action. It also works to restore Indigenous flora in urban spaces through community nurseries, educational initiatives, and guerrilla gardens—activist-driven planting in neglected urban spaces. What started as a backyard nursery has expanded to a dynamic network of a youth-led Advisory Board and 700+ volunteers who together have restored over 2,000 native plants across 30,000 square feet of land. They are experiencing increasing demand for their innovative seed-to-community model in which volunteers learn valuable skills such as propagation, water collection, and horticultural skills from local Indigenous leaders including the Chumash/ hi ho stoqošlóq’ hi xus.

Shante Walker | California

The Halo Food Project

The Halo Food Project is a pioneering initiative that operates Los Angeles’ first 100% clean energy, zero-emissions Electric Vehicle (EV) Mobile Retail Grocery Store, providing fresh, locally sourced food from BIPOC farmers to underserved communities. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing over $400,000 into the local economy, and educating more than 2,000 residents on sustainability and environmental justice, the project fosters both environmental and economic resilience. Through innovative food distribution and community engagement, The Halo Food Project actively combats food insecurity while promoting clean energy solutions and sustainable agriculture.

Yewande Akinse | California

SALUBATA

Salubata is a sustainability-focused company developing modular shoes made from recycled ocean plastics and a patented CO₂-to-O₂ decomposition technology, both aimed at reducing waste and combating climate change. Having repurposed 10 metric tons of ocean plastics and garnered $1 million in sales, the venture has demonstrated strong market demand for sustainable footwear, while its carbon capture innovation positions it for large-scale adoption. By expanding production, increasing its environmental impact, and partnering with major brands, Salubata aims to drive systemic change toward a circular economy for a more sustainable future.