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

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:

• Donate: https://www.donor.money/1000-gretas

• Mentor: Share your expertise by joining our mentorship program. https://www.crowdsolve.eco/mentoring

• Contact Us: For more information, email us at info@1000gretas.org or visit www.1000gretas.org.

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

🌟 Meet Ben Partee: Innovating for a Sustainable Future 🌟

At 1000 Gretas, we are always on the lookout for groundbreaking ideas and passionate individuals driving climate innovation. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Ben Partee, the winner of the 2024 CU Boulder Sustainability Hackathon, to the 1000 Gretas family as our newest grantee!

Ben’s winning project caught our attention for its ingenuity and potential to make a tangible impact on the world. His work embodies the very essence of what 1000 Gretas strives to support: bold ideas tackling the pressing environmental challenges of our time.

💡 About Ben and His Vision

Ben has always been intrigued by the endless possibilities of technological innovation. He sees the cleantech space as a blank canvas—a place where creativity and purpose converge to solve critical challenges like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. For Ben, addressing these issues isn’t just about safeguarding future generations; it’s about creating a sustainable and thriving world in our own lifetimes.

🔋 The Innovation: Mallard’s Long-Duration Battery Technology

Ben’s award-winning project focuses on developing long-duration battery technology that revolutionizes how renewable energy integrates into the power grid.

- Why It Matters: Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are key to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. However, their intermittent nature makes energy storage crucial. Ben’s technology provides a solution by enabling efficient, long-term energy storage, ensuring a steady supply of clean power even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

- The Impact: With innovations like this, we’re taking significant steps toward mitigating our dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and building a more resilient energy system.

🎯 What’s Next for Ben?

As a 1000 Gretas grantee, Ben will receive the funding and support needed to further develop his technology and scale its impact. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing updates on his progress and showcasing how his work contributes to a more sustainable future.

🌍 Why We’re Excited About Ben’s Work

Ben’s project exemplifies the type of innovation that can transform the fight against climate change. By addressing one of the biggest barriers to clean energy adoption—energy storage—his technology has the potential to accelerate the global transition to renewable energy.

🤝 Join Us in Supporting Innovators Like Ben

At 1000 Gretas, we believe in the power of people like Ben to create meaningful change. By supporting climate entrepreneurs, we’re building a future where ideas become action and solutions have a lasting impact on the planet.

Stay tuned as we follow Ben’s journey and celebrate the incredible work he’s doing to power a cleaner, greener future!