Aclima, Inc. Company Profile

Background

Aclima, Inc., founded in 2007 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a purpose-driven technology company specializing in hyperlocal air pollution and greenhouse gas measurement. The company's mission is to catalyze bold climate action that protects public health, reduces emissions, and delivers clean air for all. Aclima has pioneered a new way to diagnose air quality and track climate-changing pollution through its network of roving and stationary sensors, providing unprecedented block-by-block resolution.

Key Strategic Focus

Aclima's strategic focus centers on delivering high-resolution environmental intelligence to governments, companies, and communities. By measuring a broad set of pollutants—including fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, methane, carbon dioxide, black carbon, and benzene—the company aims to identify emission sources and drive climate and public health action. Aclima's primary markets include urban, suburban, and rural landscapes across the United States and internationally, with deployments in cities such as New York, Washington, D.C., the San Francisco Bay Area, Dublin, Ireland, and Hamburg, Germany.

Financials and Funding

Aclima has raised a total of $64 million in funding over multiple rounds. Notable investors include Bosch Ventures, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, NGP, Splunk Ventures, Emerson Collective, Kapor Capital, Social Capital, the Schmidt Family Foundation, Radicle Impact, Plum Alley Investments, and Rethink Capital Partners. The capital has been utilized to expand the company's capabilities, support existing and new customers, and grow its network of air quality measurement deployments.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Aclima's technological platform is distinguished by several proprietary technologies and methodologies:

Mobile and Stationary Sensor Networks: The company operates a fleet of vehicles equipped with specialized sensors that collect high-resolution air quality data every second. These mobile sensors are complemented by stationary units to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Aclima Pro Analytics Software: This professional analytics platform translates billions of scientific measurements into actionable environmental intelligence, enabling users to analyze and visualize data, identify pollution sources, and integrate additional contextual layers such as climate risk and community vulnerability data.

Machine Learning Algorithms: Aclima employs machine learning to forecast emission trends and provide insights for decision-making throughout its data generation, sensor signal processing, and analysis processes.

Leadership Team

Davida Herzl: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Under her leadership, Aclima has become a recognized leader in climate technology, earning accolades such as inclusion in TIME's list of the TIME100 Most Influential Companies.

Matthew Hill: Chief Operating Officer. He oversees the company's operations, ensuring the effective deployment and management of Aclima's sensor networks and analytics platforms.

Meghan Thurlow: Chief Technology Officer. She leads the development and implementation of Aclima's technological innovations, including sensor technology and analytics software.

Melissa Lunden, Ph.D.: Chief Scientist. She guides the scientific research and validation efforts, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Aclima's environmental measurements.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The air quality monitoring industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing awareness of environmental issues and the need for accurate data to inform policy and business decisions. The market is characterized by rapid technological advancements and a focus on providing real-time, hyperlocal data to various stakeholders.

Competitor Analysis

PurpleAir: Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Draper, Utah, PurpleAir specializes in affordable, real-time air quality monitoring sensors for both indoor and outdoor use. The company focuses on community-driven data collection and sharing.

Aeroqual: Established in 2001 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aeroqual develops air quality monitoring systems that measure a wide range of pollutants. Their products are used by environmental agencies, researchers, and industries worldwide.

Acoem UK: Based in Gloucestershire, England, Acoem UK provides environmental monitoring solutions, including air quality monitoring instruments and software. They serve various sectors, including government agencies and industrial clients.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Aclima has engaged in several significant collaborations to enhance its market position and innovation capacity:

Google: Aclima partnered with Google to equip Google Street View vehicles with air quality sensors, enabling the collection of hyperlocal air pollution data across multiple cities.

California Air Resources Board (CARB): In partnership with CARB, Aclima launched a statewide mobile air monitoring program targeting pollution in disadvantaged communities, aiming to provide data-driven insights for policy and community action.

UrbanFootprint: Aclima collaborated with UrbanFootprint to develop the Community Impact and Investment Index, integrating air quality data with urban planning tools to support environmental justice initiatives.

Operational Insights

Aclima's strategic considerations include:

Data Accuracy and Accessibility: By providing high-resolution, hyperlocal air quality data, Aclima differentiates itself from competitors offering less granular information.

Community Engagement: The company emphasizes partnerships with local communities to ensure data collection efforts address specific environmental justice concerns.

Technological Integration: Aclima's integration of sensor networks with advanced analytics platforms offers a comprehensive solution for clients seeking actionable environmental intelligence.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Aclima's strategic roadmap includes:

Expansion of Sensor Networks: Scaling deployments to cover additional regions and communities, both domestically and internationally.

Advancement of Analytics Capabilities: Enhancing machine learning algorithms and data visualization tools to provide deeper insights and predictive analytics.

Policy Influence: Leveraging data to inform and influence environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels.

Community-Centric Initiatives: Continuing to collaborate with community organizations to address environmental justice issues and improve public health outcomes.