Innovative Solutions to the Climate Crisis
Entrepreneurs at VertueLab’s 45Camp event
2025 is a year marked by undeniable uncertainty. As the climate crisis worsens and federal funding for environmental initiatives declines, the need for innovation and locally-based, cleantech solutions has never been more crucial. VertueLab aims to empower the entrepreneurs facing this climate crisis head-on, providing them with the tools they need to turn ideas into lasting solutions.
VertueLab has supported more than 250 entrepreneurs across the Pacific Northwest by providing funding, business acceleration, technical expertise, and scaling support. Every day, more of these innovators step forward with bold ideas for a sustainable future, producing renewable, sustainable products that address waste, carbon emissions, water supply, and countless other threats to a livable planet.
Harvesting kelp (photo from Cascadia Seaweed)
Cascadia Seaweed
Our most recent Portfolio Highlight of Cascadia Seaweed demonstrates just that. Their founders identified a niche in the ag-tech market, partnering with coastal First Nations to responsibly cultivate the kelp that is the basis for their agricultural products. Their liquid kelp extracts sustainably boost crop yields while decreasing emissions, helping to transition the agricultural industry towards reliable, regenerative practices. (To learn more about Cascadia Seaweed, you can read our recent interview with CFO Rob Napoli here)
Cascadia Seaweed is joined by dozens of VertueLab entrepreneurs who are striving toward a sustainable and equitable future.
Virridy’s Lume, a water-quality sensor (photo from Virridy)
Virridy
Virridy, a portfolio company supported by VertueLab through the Cascadia Cleantech Accelerator, is taking a circular approach to changing the water and carbon markets. By implementing water projects within communities, monitoring with their tech, and calculating environmental benefits, they are reinvesting in community climate solutions. This fall, they received substantial investments to continue developing and deploying their solutions globally.
XanoFiber from Hexas Biomass (photo from Hexas)
Hexas Biomass
Hexas Biomass Inc., which found both funding and mentorship through VertueLab’s Accelerator and SBIR funding assistance, is reimagining biofuel and biomass on a global level. The team at Hexas identified an industry that has historically generated excess waste and depleted natural resources, and innovated a long-term solution. One of their products, XanoFiber, is used for energy, chemicals, packaging, and more, and is grown entirely on sustainable acreage, emphasized in their tagline: “cut the grass and leave the trees.”
Hexas was officially acquired by Comstock Mining this December, with the intention of scaling sustainable production and boosting energy independence. This milestone reflects the importance of supporting startups as they turn local innovations into global solutions.
Climate innovation has always been about more than just technology—it's about the people. It’s driven by the entrepreneurs who have felt the direct impact of climate change and are honing breakthrough clean technologies that spark hope and bold action. Your tax-deductible donation to VertueLab helps us to provide holistic support—through funding, technical assistance, and vital mentorship—to local entrepreneurs developing solutions to the climate crisis. Consider donating today to help us meet our end-of-year fundraising goal of $10,000.
