LA IS LOOKING FOR ANGELS: LACI Announces "LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup," an Innovation Competition to Find Solutions to Help Fire-Impacted Communities Recover Ahead of 2028 Games

Winners to Receive Up to $100,000 in Prizes and Funding for Piloting in Greater Los Angeles to Increase Resiliency, Reduce Emissions, and Advance Sustainability

LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is pleased to announce the launch of the LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup (Cup), a call for startup innovations to help LA communities rebuild more resiliently and sustainably following the devastating fires that began on January 7, 2025. Announced 100 days after the fires erupted, the Cup will culminate in a competition with finalists pitching their solutions for addressing the difficult challenges faced by communities, businesses, and governments to reduce vulnerability to future wildfires, increase resiliency of neighborhoods and homes, and serve as a model for climate action when the world arrives for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The final stage of the Cup will take place in Los Angeles on July 10, 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.

"With the help of innovators and entrepreneurs, Los Angeles can better help our region rise from the disastrous fires to rebuild more resiliently by the time the world arrives for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Matt Petersen, President and CEO of LACI. "If you are a startup founder with a solution and a desire to help our region rebuild more quickly, reduce the risk of future fires and other climate shocks, and restore neighborhoods sustainably, then we want you to join us by applying to the Cup."

LACI seeks participation from startups offering innovations that help advance resilient and sustainable rebuilding of homes, business, neighborhoods, and infrastructure, including:

• 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);
• Resilience (e.g., mobile solar and battery backup systems, uninterruptible Wi-Fi 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);
• Rebuilding and construction (e.g., pre-built all electric ADUs, manufactured systems and homes, engineered wood, fire-resistant and/or low-carbon building materials);
• 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)

Applications to the Cup are due by May 30, 2025. Startups interested in participating can review eligibility criteria and apply here. Initial sponsors include the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Additional sponsors, partners, and members of the pitch competition jury will be announced at a later date.

For those interested in sponsoring the Cup, you can learn more about partnership opportunities by emailing [email protected].

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. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP) in 2011, LACI is recognized as one of the top 10 innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. 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.

Cameron Edinburgh
213.647.1441
[email protected]

SOURCE LACI