LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup

Los Angeles is looking for angels

Join us for an innovation competition for resilient rebuilding and climate action to welcome the world in 2028.

July 23rd 3-7pm
La Kretz Innovation Campus

Finalists in the innovation competition for resilient rebuilding and climate action will pitch their solutions for a chance to win up to $100,000 in prizes. Registrations are now open to watch the live pitches and see the judging panel announce the results.


Partners


Los Angeles is looking for angels

Finalists of the LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup will pitch their innovative solutions to an audience of policy makers, pilot project deployment partners, corporate partners, and advocates for resilient rebuilding and climate action. 

Selected from almost 120 applications, these standout ventures met specific eligibility criteria designed to ensure alignment with technology focus areas and target stage of business development.

Participating startup companies will be from the following technology focus areas

Technology Focus Areas

  • Fire detection and response (e.g., optical detection, automated alert systems, AI predictive analytics, real time data and visibility, simulation)
  • Community health and wellbeing (e.g., air quality monitoring, soil testing, community building tools, mental health)
  • Rebuilding and construction (e.g., pre-built all electric ADUs, engineered wood, fire resistant or low carbon building materials)
  • Resilience (e.g., mobile solar, battery backup, uninterruptible WiFi access & communication, drone delivery & rescue operations)
  • Energy and water resiliency (e.g., distributed energy resources, EV charging, water storage for dousing, electrical shut off technology, remote water supply, renewable energy generation
  • Permitting, financial, and insurance tech tools  (e.g., tools to accelerate permitting and inspections, help to help homeowners finance construction, assistance to help builders and homeowners ensure homes get insured)

Company Stage

  • Commercial prototype ready for pilot deployment (TRL 6 or above)
  • Less than $5M in revenue
  • Has at least 2 full-time employees
  • Significant presence and/or strategic plan for expansion in Southern California, specifically in the Los Angeles region (offices, deployments, partners, projects or customers)
  • Must be registered in the United States as a business entity (LLC, S, C or B) upon program start
  • Must be available in person in Los Angeles for the pitch competition on July 23, 2025


Pitch Competition Perks and Benefits

In addition to up to $100,000 in prizes, winners will receive invaluable business support.

Support for in-market deployment

Speeding up technical validation Enhancing investment readiness Accelerating market-readiness

Experienced partnership in designing and deploying small-scale pilots

Project design for pitching to investors & customers Engaging core partners Defining metrics and outcomes

Exclusive access to pipeline of rebuild projects from LACI partners

Corporations Academic institutions Community-based organizations Utilities and other public regulators

Preferred consideration for LACI’s flagship two-year incubation program

Starting in fall 2025 focused on resiliency in and rebuilding technologies

About the LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup

The Cup will galvanize entrepreneurs and innovators to create solutions to the difficult challenges faced by communities, businesses, and governments, helping LA to rebuild resiliently, reduce vulnerability to future wildfires, and serve as a model to the world.

The final stage of the Cup will take place in Los Angeles on July 23, 2025 in front of a jury as well as an audience of investors and corporate partners. Up to $100,000 will be made. Finalists will have the chance to win cash prizes and access funding for piloting to demonstrate their innovations through piloting technologies and business models in fire-affected communities in the Los Angeles region. Additionally, select Cup participants will be invited to participate in LACI’s Incubation Program, which provides startups with comprehensive support services to bring their products to market.