NY Climate Tech: May 7 - May 14
NYC's climate budget, queer voices, climate panels and mixers, giant hogweed (?!), and more events this week
Hi friends,
Last week NYC announced its Climate Budgeting program—the first for a major US city! NY Climate Tech’s Kathy Zhang has the scoop below.
We have a few events of our own coming up, and would love to see you there!
Next Thursday, May 16th, we’re joining up with SVB for a panel on 💰 Funding Opportunities for Climate Startups, followed by the 🗽 NY Climate Tech May Meetup around the corner as an after party.
Then on Saturday, May 18th, we’re running our second “unconference” with a few partners. Invites are going out this week—if you’re interested in attending, reply to this email!
In the meantime, here are our picks for the week:
Today, Tuesday, start off at the ⚡️ New Lab Pilot Showcase if you were able to snag a ticket, then head to Madison Ave after work for the 🏳️🌈 Out in Climate NYC | Queer Voices in Sustainability Panel
On Wednesday, head to the 🚀 ClimateLaunchpad US — Fireside Chat & Mixer with Sonam
Get an academic and artistic perspective on poisonous plants at 1014’s 🌿 Giant Hogweed: From Eradication to Nourishment, from Struggle to Care on Thursday
Cheers,
Alec, Sonam, and the Climate Tech Cities Team
This Week’s Events
⚡️ New Lab Pilot Showcase: Tue, May 7
🏳️🌈 Out in Climate NYC | Queer Voices in Sustainability Panel - Hosted by JLL: Tue, May 7
💸 VC Talks NYC: Fundraising for Green Startups at IndieBio/SOSV: Wed, May 8
🚀 ClimateLaunchpad US — Fireside Chat & Mixer: Wed, May 8
🔌 Where do campaigns for renewable, democratic power go next?: Wed, May 8
🌐 The Decentralization of the Real World - Research Seminar: Thu, May 9
🌎 What New York Could Look Like in 50 Years An Earth Month Reflection Event: Thu, May 9
🌿 Giant Hogweed: From Eradication to Nourishment, from Struggle to Care: Thu, May 9
🎨 ClimART Cafe at Human Impacts Institute Art Gallery: Sat, May 11
NYC’s Climate Budgeting
By Kathy Zhang
Last week, NYC launched its groundbreaking Climate Budgeting program -- the first for a major US city! By evaluating how spending decisions support long-term climate goals, Climate Budgeting aims to align NYC's resources with its ambitious targets, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and bolstering resilience to extreme heat and flooding.Committed funding over FY24-28 include:
Buildings: $1.06 billion for energy efficiency and electrification in city facilities & public schools
Renewable energy infrastructure: Up to $85 million for an offshore wind hub at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal
Flood resiliency: $70.5 million for sewer upgrades, catch basin replacements, and pumping station improvements
Sustainable transportation: $22.6 million for renewable diesel for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and the Staten Island Ferry
Climate tech ecosystem: $10 million to begin work on a Climate Innovation Hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal
The program, led by the Mayor's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) in collaboration with other city agencies, will forecast citywide emissions annually, help integrate climate considerations into early stages of capital project planning, review agency funding requests for climate impact, and integrate equity & environmental justice considerations throughout the process.
Read here for the detailed analysis of how NYC’s FY 2024-2028 Capital Commitment Plans map to net-zero emissions goal and key areas of planned improvement.
💰 Show Me The Money: National Survey on Non-Dilutive Financing for Climate Tech Startups
Navigating all of the different capital options to build your startup is incredibly hard and often frustrating. The Streetlife Ventures team is building a shared resource and set of education sessions for founders on non-dilutive capital options like grants and debt to further support this community. Are you a climate founder that has raised grants or debt (or even just been confused but wanted to utilize them)?
Please fill out this survey and contribute to what will be the most transparent and useful source of information on non-dilutive funding for early-stage climate companies. We’ll acknowledge all contributors, and also feature founders on panels and case studies for their leadership in this area. Thanks for your time!
🌎 Climate Tech Cities and Streetlife Ventures Startup and Talent Platforms
Climate Tech Cities and Streetlife Ventures are launching new platforms to support climate founders, funders, and career transitioners! There is no shortage of great companies raising money for their groundbreaking ideas, great investors looking to support with capital, and great talent living the mantra that every job is a climate job. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Community Shoutouts
🥕 New York City’s Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge
The Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge is an ambitious new leadership initiative for NYC’s businesses to help decarbonize the food system through climate-friendly, plant-powered food. Diners are increasingly seeking out meals that don’t just taste good, but also have a positive social impact, and what goes on our plates makes a big impact on our global food system.
Join the leadership team and stand with the NYC Mayor’s Office to build a better food system for New Yorkers. We’re planning an exciting event with the James Beard Foundation and the World Resources Institute for this year’s Climate Week, where we’ll announce the new cohort of signatories in tech, finance, and sports sectors. Contact njain@foodpolicy.nyc.gov to learn more.
Opportunities
💸 The Innovation Prize — InnSure: May 9 & 27
We invite prospective applicants and program partners to attend the launch of the Insurance Innovation Program, a new program backed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and InnSure, to provide $5M in grant funding to teams building insurance products that fill coverage gaps in the energy transition. The event will be held from 3:00-5PM at NYCEDC on Thursday, May 9th (virtual option available). Prospective applicants will be asked to submit a short Letter of Intent (LOI) by May 27, 2024. For any questions about the prize, please write to innovationprize@innsure.org!
🏗️ Yard Labs - Brooklyn Navy Yard: May 30
Yard Labs is the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s piloting program, designed to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies that improve the lives of city dwellers. By providing a unique 300-acre testbed in the heart of New York City, our program gives companies a path to market validation with opportunities for data collection, user feedback, strategic partnerships, and more.
🏹 AI Poverty Challenge: May 30
Robin Hood is accepting applications for its AI Poverty Challenge, which will award three $1 million prizes for breakthrough AI solutions in three areas: education, workforce development, and financial empowerment.
🇺🇸 American Climate Corps: May 30
Join the next generation of creators, thinkers, leaders, and doers, working together to tackle the climate crisis. Help build a clean energy and climate-resilient future in your own community and across the nation.
Upcoming
Upcoming Events
🙋♀️ Paving the Way to Sustainability: Women Working to Impact Climate Change: Tue, May 14
🍏 Green Apple Trivia: Tue, May 14
🌳 Mass Timber Sustainability: Making a case for Developers and Owners: Wed, May 15
🍸 Leaders in Impact Happy Hour: Wed, May 15
💨 2024 Wind-Win Startup Showdown: Wed, May 15
💨 2024 Wind-Win Startup Showdown: Wed, May 15
🍻 Green Drinks Brooklyn - May 2024: Wed, May 15
💰 Corporate Venture Capital & Sustainability: Wed, May 15
🌊 NYC OceanTech Summit: Thu, May 16
🦪 RETI Center's Annual Infinite Mussel Party: Thu, May 16
🗽 NY Climate Tech Meetup: May Edition: Thu, May 16
🗽 NY Climate Tech: Funding Opportunities for Climate Startups: Thu, May 16
🏙️ Decarbonization & Beyond: Brussels’ Expertise: Thu, May 16
🥗 create climate justice with NYC neighbors (dinner included): Thu, May 16
🔮 Climate Imaginarium Launch Party on Governors Island: Sat, May 18
🏝️ Governors Island Resiliency: Climate and Environmental Action Walking Tour: Sat, May 18
🧱 AIA Brooklyn COTE Tour: Parsons Healthy Materials Lab: Tue, May 21
🍀 SILC's May Business Networking Event: Tue, May 21
🌎 Tom Steyer with David Wallace-Wells: Winning the Climate War: Wed, May 22
♻️ Design for a Regenerative Future: Wed, May 22
🎶 Craig Urquhart in Concert * * A Benefit for 350NYC: Wed, May 22
✍️ Open Day + TALK + Happy Hour: Product Role in Sustainability and Inclusion: Wed, May 22
🧬 Science, Society, and Sustainability - Closing the Knowledge-Action Gap: Thu, May 23
🍹 The Carbonauts Sustainability Mocktails: Thu, May 23
🎵 Unheard-of + The Gowanus Dredgers Present: Not in Fact Dead: Sat, May 25
🏥 Queens Summit 2024 - Climate Change and Sports The Power of Youth Advocacy: Sat, Jun 1
🏳️🌈 Out in Climate NYC Pride Month Happy Hour - Hosted by Wellington: Tue, Jun 4
🗣️ In Our Words/En Nuestras Palabras: Climate Justice Storytelling Training: Thu, Jun 6
🎨 The 2024 Arts & Climate Incubator Tickets: Mon, Jun 10
This Week in Depth
⚡️ New Lab Pilot Showcase
When: Tuesday, May 7 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Newlab at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
This isn’t your average showcase. Forget slide decks - we’ll show you in 3D what the best and brightest deep-tech founders are working on. Seven founders will take the stage to walk you through the exciting pilots they’re working on with Newlab and leading corporations like Ford Motor Company’s Michigan Central, NYC Department of Transportation, and Invest Puerto Rico.
🏳️🌈 Out in Climate NYC | Queer Voices in Sustainability Panel - Hosted by JLL
When: Tuesday, May 7 from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: 330 Madison Ave, New York, NY
Please join Out in Climate for a panel of senior leaders sharing their experiences as queer professionals who sit in sustainability functions within corporates and consultancies. This event is generously sponsored by JLL. LGBTQ+ professionals, students, and allies are welcome to attend.
💸 VC Talks NYC: Fundraising for Green Startups at IndieBio/SOSV
When: Wednesday, May 8 · 5:30 - 8pm EDT
Where: IndieBio, 7 Penn Plaza, New York, NY
Come join ClimateLaunchpad and Cleantech Open for an evening of networking with VCs, founders, and specialists in the climate space at IndieBio/SOSV's office in NYC!
🚀 ClimateLaunchpad US — Fireside Chat & Mixer
When: Wednesday, May 8 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Where: Register for Address
Join ClimateLaunchpad and Cleantech Open Northeast for an evening of networking, food, and drinks with VCs, founders, and specialists in the climate innovation space.
🔌 Where do campaigns for renewable, democratic power go next?
When: Wednesday, May 8 · 7 - 8:30pm EDT
Where: The People's Forum, 320 West 37th Street New York, NY 10018
Join the Climate and Community Project, Common Wealth, and Verso Books for a lively conversation moderated by Kate Aronoff with Lizzy Oh, Melanie Brussler, and Prof. Brett Christophers about his newest book, The Price is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet, and what the inability for markets to solve the climate crisis means for activists fighting for a just, clean, and democratically controlled energy system in New York and beyond. Note: Donations are completely optional, as are tickets- the event is free and open to the public.
🌐 The Decentralization of the Real World - Research Seminar
When: Thursday, May 9 from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Where: Newlab, Brooklyn, New York
“The Decentralization of the Real World” is a research seminar organized by Unruly Capital and co-hosted by Newlab in Brooklyn NYC.
🌎 What New York Could Look Like in 50 Years An Earth Month Reflection Event
When: Thursday, May 9 · 6:30 - 8:30pm EDT
Where: Sixth Street Community Center, 638 East 6th Street New York, NY 10009
Join Our Climate and GrowNYC for an insightful Earth Month Event envisioning "What New York Could Look Like in 50 Years." This panel discussion brings together experts and youth activists to explore the possibilities of a sustainable and equitable future for New York. From renewable energy to climate justice, clean water accessibility to green infrastructure, we'll delve into the transformative potential of collective action and forward-thinking policies. We highly encourage youth who want to align climate justice with their own future goals to attend.
🌿 Giant Hogweed: From Eradication to Nourishment, from Struggle to Care
When: Thursday, May 9 from 6:30 - 9pm EDT
Where: 1014 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10028
The symposium, initiated by visual artist and researcher Adam Vackar (2024 RU artist), delves into the intricate relationship between humans and the botanical world, spotlighting the Giant Hogweed as a symbol of this dynamic. This towering species, introduced for its ornamental appeal, now epitomizes the complex interactions and unforeseen consequences of introducing non-native flora to new ecosystems. The colloquium is set to showcase a multidisciplinary array of perspectives, featuring contributions from artists, botanists, theorists, psychotherapists, and thinkers.
🎨 ClimART Cafe at Human Impacts Institute Art Gallery
When: Saturday, May 11 · 1 - 3:30pm EDT
Where: 38 Washington Street Brooklyn, NY 11201
Join us for a unique experience at the ClimART Cafe, hosted by the Human Impacts Institute and Climate Cafe! Showcasing art that raises awareness around climate change while discussing its effect on our mental health. We will engage with our feelings and emotions surrounding climate change and how art can be an outlet for self-expression. The event will be held in person at 38 Washington St Brooklyn, NY (basement level), where you can immerse yourself in thought-provoking pieces that highlight the importance of environmental conservation. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the climate community and support artists who are passionate about making a difference. See you there!