Can Innovation Help L.A. Rebuild Resiliently After the Fires?

A perfect storm of extreme weather events led to the devastation of the Palisades and Eaton fires. Thousands of families lost their homes, and whole communities were lost. The fires marked a devastating climate disaster for Los Angeles, and unfortunately, a harbinger of things to come.

Now several months removed from the images of the flames, the region is faced with the many imperfect choices that come with the massive recovery effort. As debris removal is nearly complete, families are struggling with costs to rebuild that exceed insurance payouts. So a core question we asked here at LACI is how can we  communities rebuild more resiliently and cost-effectively through innovation?

LACI sought to answer this question when we launched the LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup (the Cup). Joined by a host of public and private partners looking to support the sustainable long-term recovery of our fire-impacted communities, we put out a call for innovators from across the country to apply for the chance to be part of this unique innovation competition.   

The response was humbling and inspiring. All told, we received 120 applicants from startups stretching across the country, and even Australia, which has increasingly faced devastating bushfires as they call them down under. 

The startups that entered the Cup brought forward a wide array of technologies ranging in focus from energy infrastructure to AI-powered remote fire detection and risk assessment, to permitting and construction innovation, to resilient construction. Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their solutions before a judging panel of industry leaders and a live audience at LACI’s home in the LADWP-owned La Kretz Innovation Campus. 

Our top 3 winners represented a continuum of solutions that homeowners, local leaders, and our communities need:  

• A simple, affordable and highly effective mesh to protect vents from embers entering the home, a key vulnerability to fires–Wildfire Defense Mesh can be used to protect existing homes and new homes
• An AI-powered tool for assessing landscaping and hardscape vulnerabilities for existing homes and properties, Wuuii provides software for insurers, communities, and property owners to mitigate wildfire risk
• A resilient homebuilding solution, Reframe Systems manufactures resilient and sustainable homes faster, more affordably and predictably, using robotics, algorithms, and microfactories.

After careful deliberation, we were delighted to present the grand prize to Reframe Systems. Reframe received $25,000, with the opportunity to double their prize money by securing a pilot deployment partner in Greater Los Angeles. 

In addition to affirming the role that innovative technology must play in supporting the recovery effort that is currently underway, the Cup provided a few key learnings. 

First, resiliency technologies and innovations are going to only grow in demand due to the worsening climate crisis. Given how we are experiencing increased risk from extreme drought, weather, drought, and fires, LA should be the home from which this technology flourishes. That is why LACI’s first ever thematic startup incubation cohort will be focused on resilient rebuilding to help make homes and neighborhoods less vulnerable while reducing emissions and utility bills. 

Second, we need better tools to detect and respond to wildfires at the first spark. Startups such as LACI’s Delphire can help help detect fires with their camera and AI-powered technology to better protect homeowners.

And third, as I learned in my work post-Katrina in New Orleans, collaboration is key. With our partners LAUSD and Habitat for Humanity, we will pilot the winning innovations from the Cup and other startup solutions, and work to scale what performs best.

As the Cup made clear, there is no shortage of startups willing and able to pilot their innovations in LA’s fire-impacted communities. By leaning into these solutions, we can catalyze the recovery effort and make the region a model for the world by the time LA hosts the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In short, through the power of innovation and collaboration, we can redefine the region’s future.