Meet our Yes SF Innovators

Yes SF top innovators
The Top Innovator Program is run in collaboration with Uplink, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. The Top Innovator Program recognizes and supports standout startups developing groundbreaking sustainable solutions, providing them with tailored mentorship, funding opportunities, and visibility to scale their impact. Our first challenge selected 14 Top Innovators from over 150 applicants and our second challenge selected 12 Top Innovators from 200 applicants for their world-leading innovations in urban sustainability.

Second Cohort
-
Clement Packaging
Bamboo-based compostable packaging produced through sustainable manufacturing to limit the impact of single-use plastics.
Helen Yang, CEO & Founder, Clement Packaging
-
ElectricFish
Energy storage and fast charging compact unit that connects to the existing power grid, making electrical vehicles charging more reliable and accessible.
Vince Wong, COO & Co-Founder, ElectricFish
-
Volt Air Technologies
Smart solar-electric refrigeration units that autonomously manage temperature and energy for affordable, safe, and emission-free transport of perishables.
Jumana Al Hashal, CEO & Co-Founder, Volt Air Technologies
-
Stak Mobility
Self-service vertical EV storage and charging infrastructure, enhancing urban mobility through efficient and scalable solutions supporting the clean energy transition.
Diallo Powell, CEO & Co-Founder, Stak Mobility
-
Re-Nuble
Sustainable, nutrient-rich fertilizers made from food waste for soilless and hydroponic indoor farming.
Tinia Pina, CEO & Founder, Re-Nuble
-
Kit Switch
Modular interior solutions, which streamline renovations while reducing costs and timelines, for sustainable multiple apartment retrofits.
Candice Delamarre, COO & Co-Founder, Kit Switch
-
Voltpost
Lamppost retrofit system to create EV charging stations in urban areas with limited driveways and private garages, increasing charging accessibility and convenience.
Luke Mairo, COO & Co-Founder, Voltpost
-
ChargeWheel
Battery-equipped EV chargers balancing the load on local grids, using stored energy when demand is high and selling it back to the grid as needed.
Huzaifa Muhammad, CEO & Co-Founder, ChargeWheel
-
Airbuild
Self-powered panels that utilize microalgae to directly capture carbon, generate energy, and filter wastewater onsite.
David Gory, CEO & Co-Founder, Airbuild
-
GaeaStar
Reusable and sustainable to-go containers, made from clay using distributed manufacturing, that break back down into earth when discarded.
Sanjeev Mankotia, CEO, GaeaStar
-
Evergrow
Clean-energy tax credit financing for developers and real estate owners to facilitate the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable grid.
James Richards, CEO, Evergrow
-
Xendee
All-in-one platform to simplify the process of operating complex distributed energy resources, such as solar panels or battery storage, and optimise energy usage.
Adib Naslé, CEO & Co-Founder, Xendee

First Cohort
-
Babylon Micro-Farms
Babylon creates remotely managed indoor vertical farms, giving businesses and communities a convenient supply of ultra-fresh produce.
Alexander Olesen, Co-Founder, Babylon Micro-Farms
-
Rainstick Shower
Rainstick has created a shower appliance that saves 80% of water and energy while doubling the water flow rate.
Alisha McFetridge CEO & Co-Founder, RainStick Shower
-
Butlr Technologies Inc.
Butlr senses workplace occupancy through body heat and AI, letting businesses optimize their office planning and energy use without capturing any identities.
Honghao Deng, CEO & Co-Founder, Butlr Technologies Inc.
-
Posh Electric
Posh Electric has created home battery packs for mobile clean power storage to support off-grid living and energy autonomy and replace harmful diesel generators.
Wesley Zheng, CEO & Founder, POSH Electric
-
Zauben
Zauben combines green roofs with solar panels and hydroponics, which absorb 10 times more water than ordinary green roofs and are 66% lighter.
Zachary Smith, CEO & Co-Founder, Zauben
-
Taro AI
Taro AI maps and monitors trees and infrastructure for a fraction of the time and cost, leveraging automated imagery and computer vision.
Cynthia Wu, CEO & Co-Founder, Taro AI
-
Washbox
Washbox is a closed-loop system for washing tools and construction equipment, cutting water use while keeping harmful chemicals out of the environment.
Andrew Crimston, CEO & Founder, Washbox
-
Urban Machine
Urban Machine uses robots to collect and recycle waste wood. It recovers wood from demolition projects by removing nails with an AI-powered pincer.
Eric Law, CEO & Co-Founder, Urban Machine
-
Sun-Ice Energy
Sun Ice Energy stores solar power using a special material that freezes and melts according to when the energy is needed.
Jaques Mouchet, Founder, Sun Ice Energy
Michael Saddler, Co-Founder, Sun Ice Energy
-
Flower Turbines
Flower Turbines are quiet, bird-friendly wind-catchers with an innovative tulip shape. They start at lower wind speeds for smaller power needs such as an e-bike charging station.
Dr. Daniel Farb, CEO, Flower Turbines
-
It's Electric
itselectric uses spare energy from buildings to power kerbside EV chargers. Its affordable network opens EVs to those who don’t have a driveway or garage to charge them in.
Tiya Gordon, COO & Co-Founder, it’s electric
-
Bluumbio
Bluumbio promotes and protects biodiversity while renewing natural landscapes by identifying enzymes found in nature, like fungi, tropical trees and bacteria.
Katherine French, CEO & Founder, Bluumbio

Yes SF sustainable nonprofit innovators
The Sustainable Innovators Network is sponsored by Docusign.org and supports a cohort of five nonprofits that address critical urban challenges and advance sustainability in San Francisco. The innovation must contribute positively to environmental sustainability and should align with the city’s Climate Action Plan goals.

-
Coastal Quest
Coastal Quest accelerates solutions and builds resilient coastal communities for people, nature, and the climate. Our work protects the coastal zone, coastal communities, and the coastal economy. We work to achieve positive results and create change that solves climate and coastal problems. Simply put, we want to protect and enhance the coastal communities and environments we love.
Tegan Hoffmann, Executive Director, Coastal Quest
-
Replate
Replate’s patented technology facilitates food donation by connecting organizations with surplus food to communities facing food insecurity. With a tap of a finger you can increase food access, reduce waste, decrease carbon emissions, and save water.
Maen Mahfoud, Founder & CEO, Replate
-
Women in Cleantech & Sustainability
Women in Cleantech and Sustainability fosters an influential network of professionals to further the roles of women in growing the green economy and making a positive impact on the environment.
Sara Eve Fuentes, Chairwoman, Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
-
Community News Lab
Community News Lab’s mission is to bring community information, belonging, and joy to San Francisco neighborhoods. They build digital community bulletin boards, in partnership with local artists and community orgs, and install them on public sidewalks in San Francisco.
Julia Gitis, Founder, Community News Lab
-
ExtraFood
ExtraFood's mission is to end hunger and wasted food in the Bay Area, California. They recover excess fresh food from businesses, schools, and gardens and immediately deliver it to people facing food insecurity.
Will Dittmar, Executive Director, ExtraFood