UW’s CoMotion Labs names six startups for inaugural climate and green tech incubator

The University of Washington’s CoMotion Labs has named the six startups participating in its inaugural Climate Tech Incubator.

More than 30 companies applied to the eight-month program, which is part of the recently launched Seattle Climate Innovation Hub. The broader effort is a collaboration between CoMotion, the Seattle Office of Economic Development, the climate co-working group 9Zero, and the funding nonprofit VertueLab.

The downtown-based incubator begins in July and includes access to UW facilities; mentoring, networking and entrepreneurial training; and preparation for raising capital from investors.

“These innovators are not only tackling the climate crisis head-on, they’re laying the foundation for a resilient green economy. By supporting these startups, we’re building a future where Washington leads in climate innovation, creates high-quality green jobs, and drives inclusive economic development across the region,” said Ashlee Esteban, director of CoMotion Labs, in a statement.

The incubator companies are:

• Bio Fiber Industries, an effort to convert organic waste from cannabis, hops and hemp into high performance materials used in construction, textiles, energy and advanced manufacturing.
• Blue Dot Motorworks, a startup building inexpensive, plug-in hybrid conversion systems that can be quickly installed on nearly any vehicle by any mechanic.
• Electra, a company developing a platform that tracks, collects and monetizes end-of-life clean energy assets including solar panels and other infrastructure.
• Forge, a startup engineering an AI copilot for infrastructure project management.
• Nimbus Aerospace, which is building a hybrid-electric, six-passenger private jet.
• ZILA BioWorks, a startup developing plant-based resins and epoxies to replace high-carbon alternatives.