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LACI Launches 2017 Sustainability & Technology Cluster Group Meetings for Energy – Transportation – Water – Waste & Sustainable Materials Built Environment – Agriculture & Food Science

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A Full-House Gathering of Government, Industry and Research Participants for the Transportation Tech Cluster Included On-Demand Transit Plan through FASTLinkDTLA

 

Plans to Put LA’s Clean Energy Industry on the Map Announced at First Quarterly Meeting for Energy Generation & Storage Cluster

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 12, 2017 – The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), a non-profit organization helping promising cleantech companies deliver market-ready solutions and further economic development for the LA region, kicked off the first of its 2017 quarterly cluster meetings this week with the Energy Generation & Storage and Transportation Cluster Groups. Plans for LA energy industry asset mapping and a global event on energy in Spring 2017 were announced, in addition to clearly-defined goals addressing transportation issues in downtown Los Angeles.

Founded as a cluster-driven organization, LACI is working to identify regional problems and find cleantech sustainability solutions by connecting key stakeholders in each sector. Quarterly meetings are held at the La Kretz Innovation Campus for each of the following groups: Water, Energy Generation & Storage, Built Environment, Transportation, Waste & Sustainable Materials and Agriculture & Food Science. The goal is to decrease fragmentation and increase collaboration between all stakeholders involved by building a platform for government organizations, non-profits, academic institutions, technology startups, and corporations to work together and forge innovative partnerships with an emphasis on the value that technology can bring to each industry sector.

“This week’s Energy Generation & Storage and Transportation Cluster meetings are a great example of the critical work being done in each sector of our sustainability groups,” stated Ben Stapleton, LACI VP Facilities & Operations. “We had leaders from municipalities, corporations, start-ups and research institutions gathered together to make an impact on the intersection of innovation, sustainability and technology.”

The Transportation Technology Cluster alone includes one-hundred registered members, six vehicle OEMs, two vehicle component suppliers, five alternative fueling companies, five non-profit advocacy groups, five state or municipal transportation-related agencies, four design/engineering firms, two higher education institutions, three ridesharing/pooling startups, and ten other transportation industry organizations. Among the projects discussed at the group meeting was the upcoming Advanced Transportation Showcase at the La Kretz Innovation Campus featuring new technologies and service models such as mobile charging, energy storage, integration with carsharing and pooling, electric vehicles, autonomous vehicle testing and other innovations.

Additional upcoming Cluster Group quarterly meetings for January 2017 include:

1/18/17: Water
1/19/17: Waste & Sustainable Materials
1/25/17: Agriculture & Food Science
1/26/17: Built Environment

LACI’s six Sustainability & Technology Cluster Groups were formed in 2016 and will convene throughout the year with regularly scheduled events, workshops and quarterly meetings supporting cleantech companies throughout the Los Angeles region. The organization hopes to create a vital space where local industry, policymaking, and research institutions can collaborate to jointly develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing each industry.

About LACI

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a private non-profit organization helping to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies by offering flexible office space, CEO coaching, mentoring, and access to a robust network of partnerships and capital. LACI was founded in 2011 as a cluster-driven economic development initiative supported by the City of Los Angeles, LADWP and the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles. Recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI, LACI identifies local entrepreneurs across multiple cleantech business sectors and guides them to market, creating jobs that advance LA’s green economy. In just five years, LACI has helped 64 companies raise $118M in funding, created 1,200 jobs, and delivered more than $270M in long term economic value for the City of Los Angeles. LACI operates out of the La Kretz Innovation Campus with satellite offices in Northridge, CA and Silicon Valley and is the organizer of GloSho and founder of the Network for Global Innovation NGIN. For additional information, please visit: newlaci.staging.wpengine.com

La Kretz Innovation Campus and Advanced Prototyping Center

The La Kretz Innovation Campus, Los Angeles’ new cleantech innovation hub, is a place where entrepreneurs, engineers, environmental organizations, and policymakers can collaborate, promote and support the development of clean technologies and LA’s green economy. In addition to being home to the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and an ecosystem of thought leaders, the Campus features 30,000 sq.ft. of office and event space along with the region’s highest caliber Advanced Prototyping Center where members can design, build, test, certify and manufacture products all under one roof. Features include an electronics lab, chemistry lab, cell lab, CNC center, water jet center, welding shop, 3D printing shop, use of premium CAD software, laser cutters, woodworking, an assembly bay, training centers and more. 

Designed by John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK) and managed by LACI, the fully renovated 60,000 square foot facility is located in the dynamic Arts & Innovation District of Downtown Los Angeles. The Campus comprises 3.2 acres owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) and is approved for LEED Platinum rating utilizing state-of-the-art green technology including a 175 kilowatt photovoltaic solar canopy, fast charger EV stations, bioswales, and LA’s first public greywater filtration and microgrid systems.

 

Media Contact:
Laurie Peters, lpeters@laci.org
LACI Communications Director
(818) 635-4101

 

 

 

 

 


Bi-Monthly Gathering Featured Keynote Address from LA City Controller Ron Galperin, Open Data Initiatives in the City of LA, LA Metro on Measure M and the Japan External Trade Org

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 24, 2017 – The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) hosted its January Leadership Council Meeting at the La Kretz Innovation Campus last week featuring keynote speaker Ron Galperin, LA City Controller, and an impressive list of speakers including Trevor Houser, Rhodium Group; Pauletta Tonilas, LA Metro on Measure M; Lilian Coral, Chief Data Officer, City of Los Angeles; Hisashi Kanazashi, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO); and Steve Churm, discussing the Net Zero Newhall initiative from FivePoint.

Net Zero Newhall, a plan to build Newhall Ranch in the Santa Clarita Valley with net zero greenhouse gas emissions from construction or operation, was among the highlights at the event. Developer FivePoint has proposed Net Zero Newhall to win reapproval for Newhall Ranch, one of the largest, mixed-use master-planned developments in California. It is a $12.7 billion project with plans to build 21,500 units of net zero housing and create 60,000 permanent jobs along the way. Located 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, Newhall Ranch is the first of its kind to feature sustainability solutions for an entire community, including 25,000 EV chargers, solar panels on all homes, mobility and transit solutions for first and last mile, and a recycled water system enabling irrigation with no additional water requirements. The project is currently in its public comment period and letters of support for Newhall Ranch are welcome through the Newhall Net Zero website.

“A recent McKinsey Report said California may be short 3.5 million housing units by 2025. We can help close this gap and provide sorely needed jobs in the process—it is our responsibility,” stated Steve Churm, FivePoint Chief Communications Officer, developer of the project. “We plan to change the game when it comes to development, keeping California’s three highest priorities in mind—jobs, housing and the environment.”

Robert Fortunato, LACI Executive-in-Residence (EIR) and owner/builder of a net zero energy case study house, commented on the project, stating “We’ve proven that net zero emission buildings can be more affordable, comfortable, and clearly better for our health and the environment. Building at this scale with these goals will set a new standard, spur innovation, new jobs – and make a make a significant impact on climate change.  LACI’s network of portfolio companies and partners are perfectly positioned to accelerate this kind of innovative project.”

Fortunato is the newest addition to LACI’s team of highly-experienced EIR advisors, providing guidance and counsel to LACI’s cleantech portfolio companies. Fortunato’s focus is on built environment, with an emphasis on net zero commercial and residential innovations. He will be formally introduced at LACI’s quarterly Built Environment cluster group meeting this Thursday, January 26, at 4 p.m.

 

About LACI

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a private non-profit organization helping to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies by offering flexible office space, CEO coaching, mentoring, and access to a robust network of partnerships and capital. LACI was founded in 2011 as a cluster-driven economic development initiative supported by the City of Los Angeles, LADWP and the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles. Recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI, LACI identifies local entrepreneurs across multiple cleantech business sectors and guides them to market, creating jobs that advance LA’s green economy. In just five years, LACI has helped 64 companies raise $118M in funding, created 1,200 jobs, and delivered more than $270M in long term economic value for the City of Los Angeles. LACI operates out of the La Kretz Innovation Campus with satellite offices in Northridge, CA and Silicon Valley and is the organizer of GloSho and founder of the Network for Global Innovation NGIN. For additional information, please visit: newlaci.staging.wpengine.com  

 

Media Contact:
Laurie Peters, lpeters@laci.org
LACI Communications Director
(818) 635-4101

 

Media Contact

Cameron Edinburgh, Media Director

cameron@laincubator.org | 213-647-1441

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