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🏡 Innovator Spotlight: Mark Isaacs & WonderWindow – Net Zero Energy in Every Backyard

At 1000 Gretas, we believe climate solutions can—and should—begin right at home. Our latest $1,000 grantee, Mark Isaacs, is building a future where Net Zero Energy homes aren’t just for the elite—they’re for all of us.



Through his startup, WonderWindow, Mark is bringing forward an idea that’s equal parts visionary and practical: affordable, high-performance microhomes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that require no building permit for small models and offer sustainable, regenerative design for larger ones.

Mark’s mission? To make it possible for teachers, firefighters, families, and future innovators to own their homes, generate their own power, and contribute to thriving, climate-forward communities—starting with their own backyards.

“At 14, I heard Bucky Fuller speak about making 100% of humanity successful on Spaceship Earth. That was the moment I knew what I wanted to do with my life.” — Mark Isaacs

🛠️ From Vision to Action

Now at 69, Mark brings over five decades of passion, innovation, and deep design expertise to the table. He’s not only received a National Association of Home Builders Award for an 84,000 sq ft near-zero energy project, but has also built multiple Net Zero Energy homes, earned six patents, and helped advance sustainable construction best practices nationwide.

And still—he sees this new beginning with 1000 Gretas as a pivotal turning point:

“With this award, I hope to look back in a few years and say that today marked the day we enabled success in making Net Zero & Regenerative microhomes affordable enough to provide housing and energy security for every American.”


🌿 Why This Matters

WonderWindow's homes—ranging from 120 sq ft DIY microhomes to larger ADUs up to 1152 sq ft—are designed with solar access, passive cooling, ultra-efficient building envelopes, and real-world affordability in mind.

This model isn’t just about climate tech—it’s about climate equity. It’s about the schoolteacher being able to live in the community they serve. It’s about the young person raised in poverty becoming the builder of their own secure future. It’s about regenerative design becoming a mainstream solution, not a luxury option.

And it’s about transforming cities and towns into walkable, livable places where solar power, smart design, and local jobs build a climate-resilient economy from the ground up.



🧠 Learn More & Connect with Mark

And if you're someone with a backyard—or know someone who is—Mark wants to hear from you. Whether it’s a $25K DIY build or a $50K contractor version, WonderWindow could be your path to sustainable living, right where you are.

💌 Reach out to Mark directly: mark@wonderwindow.net

At 1000 Gretas, we’re proud to support climate entrepreneurs like Mark—people turning dreams into blueprints and blueprints into real-world impact. Let’s build a world where sustainability starts at home.


 

Introducing Our Newest 1K Grantee: Elliot Strand of PAGE Technologies

Updated: Feb 5




At 1000 Gretas, we are thrilled to announce our newest 1K grantee, Elliot Strand, the founder of PAGE Technologies. Elliot and his team are pioneering groundbreaking advancements in agricultural sustainability through innovative sensor technology that aims to transform how we monitor and manage environmental resources.


About PAGE Technologies

Driven by a shared commitment to revolutionizing agriculture and combat environmental degradation, PAGE Technologies was founded through collaborative research efforts at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of California Berkeley. The company’s mission is to create low-cost, efficient sensor systems that empower farmers and land managers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices while maintaining productivity and profitability.


Cutting-Edge Technology for a Sustainable Future

At the heart of PAGE Technologies’ innovation lies a novel approach to sensor production. Unlike traditional high-temperature silicon manufacturing, PAGE Technologies employs particle-polymer inks to print electronically functional materials on plastic sheets through a reel-to-reel process—similar to newspaper printing. This cost-effective method allows for the creation of easily manufacturable, replaceable sensor strips, making real-time monitoring of chemical inputs and pollutants more accessible than ever before.


The Impact: Regenerating Agriculture and Protecting Ecosystems

By embracing distributed environmental sensing, PAGE Technologies aims to help farmers optimize fertilizer use, increase crop yields, and reduce synthetic fertilizer dependency. Their technology aligns with the 4Rs of nutrient management—applying the right type, at the right rate, in the right place, at the right time—ensuring maximum efficiency while preventing nutrient runoff that contributes to pollution and harmful algal blooms. The ultimate vision of PAGE Technologies is a world where agriculture regenerates natural resources rather than depleting them, proving that sustainability and profitability can indeed go hand in hand.


Elliot Strand’s Journey: Inspired by Environmental Advocacy



Growing up in Minnesota, Elliot Strand was deeply influenced by his father’s passion for environmental sustainability. His father, raised on a farm outside of Fargo, North Dakota, later became an environmental lawyer dedicated to protecting natural ecosystems. This legacy of environmental stewardship has shaped Elliot’s vision for PAGE Technologies, where he envisions a future where farmers, land managers, and industries no longer have to choose between profitability and sustainability.


Join Us in Supporting PAGE Technologies

We are proud to support Elliot and PAGE Technologies in their mission to transform agriculture through cutting-edge environmental sensing. By providing real-time nutrient monitoring and precision agriculture solutions, PAGE Technologies is paving the way for a more sustainable and productive future.

To learn more about PAGE Technologies, visit their website: PAGE Technologies or follow them on LinkedIn: PAGE Technologies LinkedIn.

Congratulations, Elliot! We are excited to see the impact of your work unfold.

 

Transforming the Future: Our Vision for 2030


At 1000 Gretas, we’re on a transformative journey—one fueled by innovation, equity, and the relentless pursuit of a sustainable future. Over the past four years, with the unwavering support of our community, we have laid the groundwork for a bold new chapter: empowering 10,000 climate entrepreneurs by the end of the decade. This ambitious vision isn’t just a milestone; it’s a testament to the power of entrepreneurship as a force for global change.


Our Impact Theory of Change

At the heart of our work lies a simple but powerful premise: entrepreneurship can be the lever that drives meaningful impact and opportunity. By nurturing the next generation of climate innovators, we aim to:

  • Reduce the global carbon footprint by 10Gt

  • Mitigate climate risk for 1 billion people

  • Build adaptation and resilience for a sustainable future

  • Foster a movement of diverse, impact-driven founders


Key Strategies for Driving Change

To turn this vision into reality, we’ve developed a comprehensive approach built on three pillars: viability, growth, and impact. Here’s how we’re making it happen:

  1. Sourcing High-Quality Entrepreneurs: With a global reach spanning 78 countries, we’ve demonstrated our ability to identify and support top-tier talent. Our partnerships with accelerators, venture capital firms, and universities have been instrumental in this effort.

  2. Education for Sustainable Success: We provide early-stage founders with training in sustainable business practices and entrepreneurship. This education lays the foundation for long-term impact and equips entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive.

  3. Progressive Grants for Momentum: Our unique granting strategy incentivizes founders to engage deeply with our educational programming. By offering incremental funding, we help startups gain traction while strengthening their pitches and expanding their networks.

  4. Enhancing Success Rates: Through a blend of AI-powered and human mentoring, we’ve increased the acceptance rates of our entrepreneurs into downstream accelerators from 2% to 25%, setting them on a path to long-term success.

  5. Championing Diversity and Inclusion: Over 80% of our founders come from underrepresented groups. By empowering these voices, we’re building a more equitable ecosystem for climate entrepreneurship.


Lessons Learned

Our journey so far has provided invaluable insights:

  • Small grants can catalyze early-stage ventures, providing the resources and social proof needed for traction.

  • A combination of mentoring and connections significantly enhances entrepreneurs’ chances of success in competitive programs.

  • With minimal resources, we’ve built an impactful model—but scaling requires investment. To grow our reach and amplify our impact, we need more financial and human capital.


Partnering with CrowdSolve

Our partnership with CrowdSolve, a platform dedicated to accelerating climate startups, has been a game-changer. Together, we’re fostering a vibrant ecosystem that includes:

  • 500+ climate startup founders

  • 165 mentors

  • 45 accelerator partnerships

  • 70 venture capital partners


By bridging our organizations, we’re creating a seamless pipeline for climate startups to access grants, mentorship, and capital—a win for everyone involved.


Join Us in Shaping the Future

As we look to 2025, our immediate goal is to raise $50,000 to build momentum toward our 2025 target of $500,000. These funds will enable us to support 1,000 climate innovators next year and take significant strides toward our 2030 vision.

We are thrilled to announce matching funds from Donor.Money, doubling the impact of every dollar contributed. Whether through donations, mentorship, or simply sharing our mission, your involvement makes a difference.

Let’s create a future where climate entrepreneurship thrives, innovation flourishes, and a sustainable planet is within reach.

Get Involved:

Together, we can transform our shared vision into a reality. Thank you for being part of this journey.

 
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