LACI Welcomes 16 New Startups to Incubation Cohort 10 – Spring 2025
As Los Angeles continues to confront the dual challenges of wildfire recovery and the urgent need for climate resilience, the demand for advanced energy technologies has never been greater. From surging power needs driven by electrification, AI powered platforms for city codes, and policies on building decarbonization and waste reduction, the landscape of clean technology is rapidly evolving. At LACI, we are committed to driving this transformation by nurturing a diverse and innovative portfolio of companies. Central to these efforts is our newest group of changemakers—Incubation Cohort 10 (Spring 2025).
This new, dynamic cohort features 16 startups—22% founded by women, 30% by BIPOC entrepreneurs—addressing critical challenges in clean energy (44%), the circular economy (31%), and zero-emissions transportation (25%). Notably, 38% of these companies were founded here in the City of Los Angeles, underscoring the region’s growing status as a hub for climate innovation.
Six out of the sixteen Cohort 10 companies are graduates of LACI’s earlier-stage programs, demonstrating the strength and continuity of our startup pipeline. We’re excited to welcome back AGS LABS INC./ALES GREY™, HyVerde, and Chargerzilla—alumni of the Founders Business Accelerator—as they build momentum and scale further through the Incubation program. Similarly, Looks For Lease Inc., Infinfty, and Yggdrasil Trees—graduates of the Innovators program—are continuing their journey with LACI. For all Incubation startups, LACI offers tailored resources including one-on-one executive coaching and mentorship, support for fundraising and investor relations, facilitated partnerships for pilot opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art facilities during their two years in the program. Companies begin with an intensive four-month curriculum focused on impact strategy, financial readiness, and investor preparation, before transitioning to customer acquisition through pilot deployment and partnership development.
With these resources on hand, our newest batch of portfolio companies is positioned to tackle some of the region’s most urgent climate and equity challenges. Cohort 10 startups like Intrinsic Power and HyVerde are revolutionizing energy storage and distribution to enhance grid resilience amid disruptions. Nano DC HVAC and ClearWay Software are accelerating building electrification and clean energy deployment, while ChargePodX, Juice, and Chargerzilla expand smart EV charging infrastructure crucial for emergency response and long-term decarbonization.These community-centered innovations reflect the kind of solutions essential for Los Angeles to not only transition to a more sustainable future but also to rebuild stronger, more equitable, resilient communities in the aftermath of the wildfires. As we prepare for the LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup and work to accelerate climate solutions and community recovery, we’re proud to support our newest cohort as they help turn that vision into reality.
Please join us in welcoming Incubation Cohort 10!
Interested in learning more about how you can support our portfolio companies? Reach out to our Director of Incubation Services, Molly Crete, at molly@laincubator.org.
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Incubation Cohort 10:
AGS LABS INC. / ALES GREY™
Website: www.alesgrey.com
ALES GREY™ is a foot-tech company pioneering 100% Made in U.S.A. footwear to help decarbonize the frontline workforce. Engineered for safety, comfort, and circularity, their recyclable non-slip shoes represent the future of digitally connected, data-driven product solutions—eliminating landfill waste, enabling tariff-free pricing, and optimizing local delivery efficiency for large-scale enterprise, government, and B2B buyers.
ChargePodX
Website: www.ChargePodX.com
ChargePodX delivers cutting-edge power electronics that convert medium-voltage AC directly into DC, eliminating the need for bulky traditional transformers. Their compact, high-efficiency SiC systems are built to accelerate the deployment of EV charging, data centers, and renewable energy infrastructure.
Chargerzilla
Website: https://www.chargerzilla.com
Chargerzilla seamlessly connects businesses, property owners, and charging networks with EV drivers through a unified, AI-powered marketplace—eliminating barriers to EV adoption and driving a more sustainable, efficient transportation future.
Civilized Cycles
Website: www.civilizedcycles.com
Civilized Cycles is a manufacturer of light electric vehicles for cargo transportation. Their Semi-Trike can replace a van or truck, with the same hauling capacity but for a fraction of the cost, and emission free.
ClearWay Software
Website: https://clear-way.ai/
ClearWay Software is an AI documentation platform that streamlines planning, design, and permitting for Efficient EV & Clean Energy project deployment.
Ecorithms Inc.
Website: http://Ecorithms.com
Ecorithms offers software to monitor collection in waste trucks with computer vision to prevent contamination, increase recycling, and recover costs. With their targeted education and CRM platform, they help waste haulers comply with SB-1383 and future SB-54 regulations.
Fordje
Website: https://www.fordje.com/
Unclear, outdated city codes stall clean tech and construction projects every day—driving up costs and slowing progress. Fordje’s AI platform cuts through the chaos, delivering precise code and zoning data nationwide so teams can move faster from concept to deployment.
Gaia Agricultural Technology
Website: https://www.Thegaiabox.com
Gaia Agricultural Technology combines hydroponic farming with renewable energy generation to tackle food and energy insecurity. Their patented system harnesses water flow to grow crops and produce storable power, offering a scalable, weather-independent solution that reduces costs for farmers and communities alike.
HyVerde LLC
Website: https://www.hyverde.com/
HyVerde is a clean energy startup developing innovative battery management systems (BMS) that integrate power conversion hardware and control software to enhance energy efficiency, safety, and longevity in energy storage for electric vehicles and grid applications. By optimizing power management and reducing battery degradation, our solution extends both the range and life of batteries, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective energy solution for clean mobility and power grid industries.
Infinfty
Website: https://toinfinfty.com
Infinfty is a B2B SaaS circular economy platform enabling companies to track their products from origin to end-of-life while supporting circular actions like resale, repair, and recycling. Their solution utilizes blockchain technology to create immutable digital product passports (DPPs), streamlining compliance with environmental regulations and AI to optimize sustainable actions for businesses and consumers.
Intrinsic Power, Inc.
Website: https://www.intrinsicpower.com/
Greater building-level power independence is required to support our ever-growing electrical needs. Intrinsic Power provides energy and power management solutions to support this electrical demand within the constraints of the existing power grid.
Juice
Website: https://www.js.eco/en-us
Juice offers mobility payments and authorizations using computer vision.
Looks For Lease Inc.
Website: https://looksforlease.com/
Looks For Lease Technologies Inc. (L4L) offers a comprehensive platform for small retailers and brands to generate a secondary revenue stream by managing their wardrobe rental business efficiently (white-label SaaS + standard-operating-procedures on how to manage circular distribution).
Nano DC HVAC, LLC
Website: nanodc.energy
NANO DC delivers the first fully integrated DC-native HVAC system, designed to align perfectly with Los Angeles’ solar-rich environment and electrification goals. Their platform connects rooftop solar and battery storage directly to HVAC systems—maximizing efficiency, cutting energy bills, and enabling smart, grid-resilient climate control in a city built for sunshine.
SALUBATA
Website: https://www.salubataofficial.com
Salubata is an innovative startup dedicated to creating modular shoes made from recycled plastic waste, designed to reduce environmental impact while providing stylish and customizable footwear. Additionally, their CO2-to-O2 decomposition technology (currently in R&D) captures atmospheric carbon dioxide and converts it into breathable oxygen, actively improving air quality and promoting sustainability with every step taken.
Yggdrasil Trees
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yggdrasiltrees
Yggdrasil Trees is developing modular direct air capture (DAC) systems designed for integration into urban environments. Their solution enables scalable DAC in cities while supporting climate policy development and advancing cities’ visions for sustainable, livable communities by deploying DAC widely in urban settings to address climate inequity and work toward socio-environmental stability.