Marble

Introducing Inflection Climate technology holds immense potential for mitigating the effects of climate change through innovative solutions in emissions reduction, carbon removal, and adaptation. However, a significant barrier to maximising this potential is the underutilisation of young, talented scientists who possess the skills and ambition necessary to drive forward these technologies. We want to find 30 of the worlds best young PhD’s, whose research and talent could have a massive climate impact. We want to support them and celebrate them. That’s why we launched Inflection The first awards programme dedicated to finding the top young scientists of tomorrow and connecting them with the highest impact opportunities to make their mark on climate change. We will bring together 30 awardees from all corners of the globe for an exclusive 2 day event in Paris, the birthplace of the International Treaty on Climate Change. As we commit to do our best to make a tangible contribution in advancing innovative solutions to combat climate change, we need YOUR help. Help us find the innovators of the future. Nominate the best young scientists you know. Be #Inflection www.inflectionaward.com Organized by Marble, Supported by Breakthrough Energy Fellows and Quadrature Climate Foundation

🌍 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 from our Webinar on Cooling w/ 2150, RMI, and Mojave Energy Systems, Inc. 𝗔𝗖 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗨𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 & 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: energy usage for air conditioning is expected to rise dramatically, potentially increasing by 3 to 5 times over the next 30 years. 𝗗𝗲𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Both Ankit and Trevor emphasized the critical role of dehumidification in enhancing AC efficiency. They pointed out that about 55% of energy in air conditioning goes toward humidity control, suggesting a significant opportunity for innovation in this area. One of the promising approaches to focus on could be ancillary equipment that can improve the energy efficiency of existing AC system without requiring a full replacement of it. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆: Ankit highlights the need for environmentally friendly refrigerants that do not compromise system performance. Panelists discussed emerging refrigerants such as CO2, water, and ammonia. While these alternatives might not directly reduce energy consumption, they significantly lower refrigerant-associated emissions and offer sustainable options, as highlighted by some of the panelists. 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀&𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Nicole pointed out that consumer behavior is significantly influenced by upfront costs rather than energy efficiency. This focus on initial pricing over long-term savings poses a challenge for the adoption of more efficient cooling solutions in the residential sector. She adds that startups don't necessarily have to produce entire air conditioning systems. Instead, they can focus on component parts, such as dehumidification membranes, that integrate into existing OEM value chains, offering a strategic pathway for market entry. 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗘𝗠𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗩𝗖𝘀: Nicole mentioned that partnering with OEMs can be advantageous, particularly in the residential space, due to their established distribution networks and brand recognition. Trevor mentioned that while partnerships can offer synergies like manufacturing expertise and market access, they may also lead to slower product development processes due to the larger company’s typically more cautious and slower-moving nature. He also noted that OEMs often seek exclusive arrangements, which can limit the startup's market potential to the OEM's market share. 📹 If you missed it or want to dive back in, watch the recording: https://lnkd.in/eRBUH-Yg At Marble, we are excited to officially launch our venture building efforts in the cooling sector. If you're ready to take on this challenge and build a transformative venture with us, apply now for our Founder-in-Residence position. Our next cohort kicks off on February of 2025 — don’t miss your chance to build the coolest 🤭 startup with us . 👉 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/eEfDyr5W

Join Today! Keeping people alive in increasing temperatures will requires billions of new cooling units to be shipped. As highlighted in our UNSUSTAINABLE series, that will only make the problem worse. Join 2150's Nicole Florack RMI 's Ankit Kalanki Mojave Energy Systems, Inc.'s Trevor Wende and the panel host Marble 's Walter Johnsen for a deep dive into this critical area for both mitigation and adaptation. At this webinar, we will discuss: 🧊 Drivers for new cooling technologies 🧊 Key obstacles and commercialisation challenges 🧊 Opportunities and exciting developments in the sector. RSVP here: https://lu.ma/4swr17cj Oct 3 | 18:00 CET | 12PM EST | 9AM PT | Our UNSUSTAINABLE post on cooling is here: https://lnkd.in/egM5tKU8

❗️Reminder to all PhD Students! Just like the most important experiments for your thesis, some things are better done sooner rather than later. The Inflection Award deadline is approaching, and opportunities like this won’t wait. Submit your application today: inflectionaward.com

🥶 Can we keep our cool under the global warming? With a big increase in dangerous extreme temperatures, cooling - particularly air conditioning -becomes vital for the survival of billions of people. By 2050 at least 70% of the population worldwide will require air conditioning for survival. ❗️ While air conditioning is critical to adaptation, it is taxing to our energy infrastructure - today AC consumes well over 2,000 TWh of power globally - that’s over 4 times what all of France consumed in 2023! Beyond electricity usage, conventional AC use refrigerants - the most potent anthropogenic greenhouse gases if leaked. 💡 The good news? New technologies such as desiccants, solid-state cooling, and alternative driving forces could dramatically reduce AC energy consumption and emissions. Read our recent article to learn more about the potential of new clean cooling technologies: https://lnkd.in/eBsk-58y Let’s discuss it live on October 3, 18:00 CET: https://lu.ma/4swr17cj

🧊 Join us as we look into the challenges and opportunities of decarbonising the air conditioning industry.

🏆 Two Trophies, One Mission: Aerleum & Centeon Win Big at i-Lab! We are thrilled to announce that two Marble companies, Aerleum and Centeon, just brought home gold from one of the most prestigious startup competitions – i-Lab! 🎉 (Yes, it’s a huge deal!) Huge congrats to winning teams: 🚢 Aerleum - Steven & Sébastien: reactive DAC to methanol in a single reactor to decarbonise shipping, aviation, and chemicals 🌿 Centeon - Jerome & Daniel-Isui: direct green ammonia synthesis from air, water, and electricity to decarbonise fertiliser and fuel i-Lab is more than just a competition – it provides early-stage startups with crucial funding, visibility, and access to a powerful network to help take their innovations to the next level. Operated by Bpifrance, i-Lab is part of the #France2030 plan, aiming to support best companies developing innovative technologies for its sustainable future! We couldn’t be prouder of both teams for their relentless dedication and vision. Onwards 🚀 Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche | Ministère Écologie Territoires | Direction Générale des Entreprises | Direction générale de la recherche et de l'innovation (DGRI) | Les Deeptech 🚀 | Nicolas Dufourcq | ADEME

🧊 Cooling our built environment is responsible for over 3.2 Gt CO2 emissions every year! And that’s because today’s air conditioners are not efficient and use harmful refrigerants. In fact compared to other technologies, air conditioning efficiency is far from the theoretical maximum efficiency. 💡 Market failures have lead to prioritisation of AC sticker price over energy efficiency and carbon impact. At Marble, we think the carbon impact and efficiency of conventional ACs are not getting enough attention. To address the problem and brainstorm solutions, we’re hosting a webinar with Nicole Florack (2150), Ankit Kalanki (RMI), and Trevor Wende (Mojave Energy Systems, Inc.) Oct 3 | 18:00 CET | 12PM EST | 9AM PT 👉 Interested? RSVP here: https://lu.ma/4swr17cj

🌟 New people at Marble! We’re thrilled to announce the newest additions to our team: Abhinav Jain as a Junior Venture Analyst and Fatoumata C. Djelika Traoré as a Junior Programme Analyst. Let’s give them a warm welcome! 🔬 Abhinav Jain graduated from Duke University majoring in biology and economics, focusing on microbiology and environmental economics. Before Marble, he worked at Clariter, where he helped refine waste plastics into fine chemicals. He credits his passion for climate tech to his upbringing in Ludhiana, India, an industrial town with extensive pollution. Outside of work, you can find him playing football or tennis, or capturing stunning photos, with Paris being his “artistic heaven”! 🌍 Fatoumata C. Djelika Traoré brings a wealth of knowledge in international economics and sustainable development, holding master’s degrees from Université Paris Dauphine - PSL and Paris-Pantheon-Assas University. Her experience spans policy analysis and project finance at institutions like the OECD - OCDE, the National Treasury of Mali, and the Foundation for Democracy in Africa. She joined Marble to have a hands-on experience in solving global challenges via entrepreneurship. In her free time, she enjoys football and watching anime. We’re excited to see the impact Abhinav and Fatoumata will make at Marble as they bring fresh perspectives and ideas to our team!

⭐️ Team Spotlight Meet Walter Johnsen, Marble’s Venture Science Associate. Walter came to Marble after completing PhD studies in chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. His doctoral thesis was on understanding how electrocatalysts convert carbon monoxide into multicarbon products and fuels. While at Penn, Walter also wrote papers on ammonia as a hydrogen storage vector and on equitable financing mechanisms for energy efficiency upgrades as part of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy. Prior to Penn, Walter received a BA in Chemistry from Cornell University. 🌎 Walter sought a career at Marble because he wanted to bring compelling climate technologies outside of the lab while working alongside top founders. Additionally, through his work at Marble, Walter has enjoyed building a foundation of knowledge on many innovative and transformative solutions to combat climate change. During his tenure with us, Walter has been supporting our venture building efforts in cheap electrolyzers and Sustainable Aviation Fuels. 🧊 He recently finished up a 6 month deep dive on next generation air conditioning technologies, and is eager to initiate Marble’s efforts to build a next-gen cooling technology company. 👉 Curious to learn more? Walter is hosting our first-in-series Webinar on Clean Cooling technologies on Oct 3. RSVP now: https://lu.ma/4swr17cj Outside work, Walter is avid hiking and running enthusiast. He has completed many marathons and halfs, and just 16 seconds away from breaking 1 hour in the 10 mile race.