The impact of climate change is being experienced at an accelerated rate. In the U.S., almost 40% of the population lives in high-population-density coastal areas vulnerable to sea level rise, leaving these communities at higher risk of flooding, shoreline erosion, and hazards from storms.
To address the growing demand for innovative solutions, RISE has designed a 12-month challenge program covering Hampton Roads, in coastal Virginia, that is designed to support founders of startups and small to medium businesses who are solving the many problems that face coastal cities as a result of climate change. With 1.7 million residents, combining 10 diverse cities and 9 counties experiencing the highest rates of sea level rise along the East Coast, Hampton Roads presents a rare opportunity: An unbeatable living laboratory for the best climate resilience and adaptation technologies, along with the chance to make a positive impact quickly.
Selected teams will get to work closely with business, government, and tech leaders in Hampton Roads on pilots to validate and potentially commercialize their solutions across the region. Join our program to gain the opportunity to develop the next generation solutions that solve climate change’s many challenges.
Read about our Challenge topics around Flood Management Infrastructure, Protection of Buildings, Data Analytics and Re-establishing Critical Utilities. Four major pain points within these topics are highlighted below. Your solution doesn’t have to be limited to these particular pain points.
FM 1: Tidal Backflow Prevention
FM 2: Stormwater Debris & Litter Control
FM 3: Rainbomb Flooding Reduction
BP 1: First Floor Elevation Mapping & Integration
Awards:-
Resilience Innovation Fund
Applicants can apply for up to $350,000 in non-equity funding. RIF awards come in two forms: 1) Grants and 2) Revenue Based Loans.
Resilience Innovation Accelerator
The RISE Investment Committee may recommend making the award (or a portion of it) contingent upon refinement of a business plan and/or workplan. In such case, the winners may be required to participate in a 2-month Resilience Innovation Accelerator. Each winner will receive a $10,000 stipend for their participation.
Resilience Innovation Hub & Testbed
The winners will also gain access to a suite of Resilience Innovation Hub benefits including.:
- Co-working office space and programming at Assembly in Norfolk, Virginia
- Fabrication and testing space in a co-working workshop space
- Assistance with securing real world pilot sites in one or multiple Hampton Roads cities
- Datasets
- Resilience experts from Hampton Roads municipalities and other regional stakeholders (e.g. NAVY, NASA, Port of Virginia, Hospitals, Universities, etc.)
- Established resilience entrepreneurial community
- PR opportunities and media visibility
- Regulatory/compliance technical assistance and assistance with pilot deployment permits
Deadline:- 15-03-2021
