LACI Presents Reframe Systems with $25,000 Grand Prize for LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup; Prize Funding to Support Innovation Pilots Including to Reduce Cost, Time to Rebuild Resilient and Sustainable Homes in Fire-Affected Communities in Greater Los Angeles
Runner Up Winners Include 2nd Place Wuuii and 3rd Place Wildfire Defense Mesh to Help Property Owners Reduce Fire Risk; Audience Winner Team ThermoShade and AirVitalize Awarded for Extreme Heat and Air Quality Solution
All 25 Cup Semi-Finalists Provided Fast Track Application to Apply for LACI Incubation Program for Groundbreaking Pre-Seed to Seed-Stage Startups
Los Angeles, July 24, 2025 – The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is pleased to announce Reframe Systems-–an innovative startup focused on building resilient and sustainable homes faster, more affordably and predictably using robotics, algorithms, and local microfactories–has won the LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup (the Cup). Reframe Systems will receive $25,000 to pilot their unique technology in fire-affected communities in the Los Angeles region.
Additional winners include: Wuuii, earning second place and receiving $15,000 for their solution to help homeowners and insurers reduce wildfire risk; Wildfire Defense Mesh, earning third place and receiving $10,000 for their low cost, effective ember screen solution and related education; and AirVitalize and ThermoShade, earning the Audience Favorite Award and receiving $5,000 for their combined solution for extreme heat and air pollution. The first, second, and third place winners will have the opportunity to double their prize money by securing a pilot deployment partner in Greater Los Angeles.
The Cup brought together innovators from across the country in a competition to galvanize entrepreneurs to create solutions to the difficult challenges faced by communities, businesses, and governments in the wake of the Palisades and Eaton fires of January 2025. As Los Angeles enters the most complicated phase of the disaster, the rebuilding phase, the Cup has sought to bring forward innovations that can help communities to rebuild resiliently, reduce vulnerability to future wildfires, and serve as a model to the world.
Finalists of the Cup were selected from 120 applications, with startup technologies addressing: energy infrastructure; AI detection and risk assessment; permitting and construction innovation, and resilient buildings and homes. Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their solutions before a distinguished judging panel and live audience at LACI’s home in the LADWP-owned La Kretz Innovation Campus.
“As we thought about how LACI could help devastated neighborhoods rebuild more resiliently, we did what we do best: find game changing innovations from entrepreneurs–thanks to our team, jury, sponsors, and all the entrepreneurs, the LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup has injected a sense of hope to the rebuilding effort in LA,” said Matt Petersen, LACI President and CEO. “Out of 120 entrants, 25 semi-finalists, and 8 finalists, Reframe Systems has emerged as our grand prize winner, selected by the jury to help rebuild homes more sustainability, resiliently and affordably.”
“This is a great moment for Reframe Systems and a great opportunity to be part of the rebuilding story in LA–and this is just the beginning,” said Vikas Enti, Co-Founder and CEO of Reframe Systems. “Our goal over the next 12 months is to continue scaling up production and set up new manufacturing in LA so we can help communities rebuild in Altadena and the Palisades.”
Partners of the Cup included: Annenberg Foundation, Bank of America, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, Jamestown, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Schneider Electric.
All 25 Cup Semi-Finalists will be provided a “Fast Track” to apply for LACI’s Incubation Program, which provides startups with comprehensive support services to bring their products to market. More information on all finalists and semi-finalists of the Cup can be found in the Dealbook.
ABOUT LACI:
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is unlocking innovation by scaling cleantech startups, transforming markets through catalytic partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders, and enhancing communities through workforce training, pilots and other programs. LACI has helped 506 portfolio companies raise over $1 billion in funding, generated $344 million in revenue, and created 2,626 jobs throughout the Los Angeles region, with a long term economic impact of more than $733 million.
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