Gradient Among Winners of NOLA Innovation Challenge

NEW ORLEANS — The recent Resilient New Orleans Innovation Challenge Showcase, organized by Finance New Orleans and its partner, Elemental Excelerator, highlighted technology solutions that are poised to revolutionize energy efficiency, building performance, water conservation, solar and battery storage, and more.

The event attracted climate technology innovators, city leaders, and investors, all eager to witness the start of a more resilient and sustainable New Orleans, said a press release from Elemental Excelerator, a climate technology investment nonprofit.

The four winners of the Resilient New Orleans Innovation Challenge were:

• Gro Enterprises, which implements and manufactures carbon-negative, high-performance building materials sourced from industrial hemp, creating sustainable housing for the future of New Orleans.

• Gradient, which makes high-efficiency air conditioning and heating equipment that can be installed by anyone.

• RainStick, which develops water and energy innovation technology for the home, allowing people to thrive using only 13 gallons of water per person daily. 

• Frontline Gig, an artificial intelligence-driven workforce development platform that connects blue-collar workers to the green economy.

Selected from more than 34 climate technology companies, the chosen companies now stand ready to pilot their innovations in single-family home construction projects across various New Orleans neighborhoods. With the support of up to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding from Elemental Excelerator and collaboration with Finance New Orleans, the companies are set to forge a scalable path forward, ensuring their solutions contribute significantly to New Orleans’ sustainable future, the press release said.

“The Resilient New Orleans Innovation Challenge Showcase has demonstrated the power of innovation in addressing the critical climate and housing challenges we face,” said Damon Burns, CEO of Finance New Orleans, a housing and development finance agency. “By bringing together the brightest minds in climate technology and public finance, we are paving the way for a sustainable and equitable future for all New Orleanians.”

The Resilient New Orleans Innovation Challenge Showcase arrived at a pivotal moment for the city, coinciding with National Homeownership Month and the commencement of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1. Against the backdrop of these events, the showcase underscored New Orleans’ commitment to fostering sustainable development and resilience, Elemental Excelerator said.

As the city continues to grapple with environmental vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change, the innovations presented at the event hold promise for bolstering infrastructure resilience and improving housing affordability, the press release said.

“The Resilient New Orleans Innovation Challenge underscores the importance of co-creating climate solutions with impacted communities,” said Mark Chambers, vice president of partnerships at Elemental Excelerator. “At Elemental Excelerator, we are merging the worlds of climate tech and public finance to accelerate community-driven solutions with greater local impact. This challenge is an exciting opportunity to partner more deeply with the city of New Orleans alongside an organization that has a deep-rooted history of serving the local community.”