VertueLab’s Impact, Firsthand
Our community is built around our entrepreneurs. Their approaches towards climate solutions are creative, powerful, and a testament to their dedication to a better future. VertueLab's mission is to provide them with the support and tools they need to combat the climate crisis and innovate from the ground up.
Our entrepreneurs have a keen insight into the impact that VertueLab can have on climate startups, from the mentorship our team provides to the programs that can turn ideas into action.
James Mutitu, MujiElectric
James Mutitu is an alumnus of VertueLab’s 45Camp, where he has been developing solar cells within his venture MujiElectric.
“I have worked with VertueLab for a number of years and it has been a truly excellent experience. In the beginning the support came mainly in the proposal writing process and I received a lot of valuable insights and feedback from them. Thereafter, I became more deeply involved in their entrepreneur support ecosystem, and took part in the excellent 45Camp pre-accelerator and accelerator programs, which even came with some funding to support my business.
Through this process, I also received valuable information about applying for government funding, including NSF funding. To this end, I am happy to report that I recently secured a Phase I NSF SBIR/STTR grant from NSF. In this light I look forward to working more with VertueLab, as a valuable partner who would help my company find a greater product market fit, and as I move on with my entrepreneur journey.”
Elba Ocasio, ENO Designs
Elba Ocasio’s company, ENO Designs, focuses on building with natural resources. Her participation in VertueLab’s 45Camp program was essential to ENO Designs’ growth.
“The program challenged me to think bigger, dig deeper, and refine my business model in a way that felt authentic and aligned with my purpose. VertueLab didn’t just teach me strategies — it helped me rebuild my entrepreneurial foundation with clarity and courage. Since completing VertueLab’s 45Camp program, my business has doubled. That transformation didn’t happen by accident; it was nurtured through mentorship, accountability, and the belief and encouragement VertueLab instills in its founders.
Programs like this are essential for entrepreneurs because they create both opportunity and community. When you’re building something new, especially from a place of reinvention, having access to experienced guidance, meaningful connections, and a supportive peer network makes all the difference. VertueLab empowers founders to grow not just our ventures, but ourselves. That ripple effect lasts long beyond the program.”
Lee Ackerson, The Programmed Power Company
At 45Camp, Lee Ackerson and his team were able to push further their venture, The Programmed Power Company. It makes inexpensive, efficient energy systems accessible at the community level.
“Entrepreneurs by nature possess a can-do attitude and are self motivated to succeed, but are often lacking in the experience and knowledge to make the vision a reality. That’s where VertueLab’s 45Camp made a difference. The team filled our brains with the nuts and bolts of making a climate tech successful business [while never letting] us never lose sight of the essentials of success: knowing your customers’ needs and how to focus your business to profitably meet those needs.”
Dan Tracy, Pacific Sky Power
Dan Tracy got his start developing wind power systems before starting Pacific Sky Power, his sky turbine venture. Dan relied on VertueLab to ensure his company not just succeeds, but thrives.
“At Pacific Sky Power, we first reached out to VertueLab for SBIR grant assistance, which led to a round of strong agency reviews around novel energy generation. More recently, their BizLite program has been an invaluable resource for early-stage climate startups, giving us both structure and momentum at a critical stage.
As we continue to develop solutions designed to open new frontiers in sustainability, VertueLab’s support has made all the difference in keeping our vision bold, grounded, and moving forward.”
Virginia Schutte, Tini Scientific
Tini Scientific, developed by Virginia Schutte with the help of 45Camp, provides accurate, quick data on coastal conditions and forecasts.
“We are absolutely applying what we learned in 45Camp to advance our business. There are a few key concepts that we bring up over and over again. It's become an inside reference that keeps us grounded and moving forward every time.
Last year, we did 63 customer interviews in a weekend, only because of what we learned (and the no-nonsense encouragement we got!) from 45Camp about market fit and customer research. Our interviews were so insightful and became the foundation of our next round of grant proposals. The trip was funded by the accelerator completion grant we received from VertueLab.”
It’s not just those who grew their ventures alongside VertueLab who have insight into the importance of cleantech support, but also the mentors themselves, who have a consistent impact on the entrepreneur’s achievements. Nicholas May-Varas, a systems engineer at AquaHarmonics - and a BizLite mentor - explained: “Entrepreneur-support organizations, such as VertueLab, can provide significant benefits to entrepreneurs. VertueLab is dedicated to helping climate tech entrepreneurs on their journey of developing beneficial solutions. That aligns well with my significant interest in helping others. I am thankful to be a part of the VertueLab community and to have the opportunity to support entrepreneurs on their journey.”
BizLite mentor Bill Stevens, a longtime investor and experienced teacher of entrepreneurs, added, “What I love the most about being a VertueLab Mentor is the innovative ideas that entrepreneurs put on VertueLab’s table. What I try to do is to make those ideas into investable businesses. This usually starts with a one-page business plan and an 18-month cash flow statement. Every word in the one pager counts as venture investors investigate the one in ten plans that really excites them, putting the other nine aside. The cash flow statement must show realism in the time it takes to get that first sale and in the additional time it takes to convert it into cash.”
