Now that the Cisco International Downside Solver Problem 2022 winners have been formally introduced, you’ll wish to be taught extra about every profitable crew and the story behind every innovation. The Cisco International Downside Solver Problem is an internet competitors that awards money prizes to early-stage tech entrepreneurs fixing the world’s hardest issues. Since 2017, the competitors has awarded $3.25 million USD to 78 startups from 25 nations.
We’re excited so that you can be taught extra in regards to the 2022 profitable groups addressing among the greatest challenges we face by means of technology-based options.
I not too long ago had the chance to interview Morteza Ghorbani Eftekhar, CEO and Founding father of PurCity, winner of the Regional (EMEA) First Runners-Up $75,000 USD prize. PurCity offers a patent pending know-how answer that may be applied/put in onto any city infrastructure’s floor to instantly seize carbon (CO2) from air, contribute to saving vitality about 30 to 48 % vitality consumption on a constructing’s HVAC techniques, improve sustainability, and clear the air.
What downside is your know-how answer attempting to resolve and the way does it work?
Morteza: 40 % of worldwide vitality consumption and CO2 emissions originates from buildings.
Our product has a multi-level output: vitality discount, net-zero sustainability, and saving lives from air air pollution. We’re capturing the air instantly, cleansing it, and delivering the clear air into the HVAC system of the constructing. We’re saving 30 to 48 % of vitality consumption on the HVAC system by returning clear air contained in the constructing with our product.

What’s progressive about the way in which you’re fixing the problem? What units your answer aside?
Morteza: We specifically designed our system to show constructing buildings or partitions, that exist already, into lively, good, and multifunctional techniques.
By 2050, round 2.5 billion folks shall be residing in cities. This can result in extra city building, much less area, and extra air pollution. We’d like options that may flip old style supplies into new, good, and sustainable ones. We have already got so many buildings on the planet. We’re enabling the surfaces of those pre-existing buildings, particularly in cities, to allow net-zero carbon emissions.
Moreover, our GapS 4.0 has PV photo voltaic panels built-in to them. Due to this fact, we’re the world’s first carbon seize know-how that shall be unplugged whereas always capturing carbon and cleansing the air. A number of the by-products of the system, together with hydrogen and pure CO2, may also be offered into the market.

What impressed you to develop this answer?
Morteza: Lengthy story brief, the whole lot began once I was a child. I misplaced one in all my finest pals as a result of excessive stage of air pollution in our metropolis. She had lung most cancers, and when she was gone, I needed to provide you with totally different options that may contribute to cleansing the air from the setting. In 2016, I got here up with an concept from scratch, and ever since then I’ve labored on growing PurCity.
How will profitable a prize within the Cisco International Downside Solver Problem aid you advance your online business?
Morteza: Nothing will be accomplished with out the help of others. This answer is the results of everybody’s work, and due to Cisco’s generosity, we will proceed to develop. Cisco’s help will assist us additional develop and develop the know-how to seize carbon from city infrastructures, clear the air, save vitality, and enhance human well being.
Have you learnt what you’ll use the prize cash for particularly?
Morteza: Cisco is extremely beneficiant, and this $75,000 prize will assist preserve our enterprise sustainable. On a private notice, if it weren’t for grants like this one, I might be residing within the streets. When the pandemic first hit, I used to be utilizing my very own private checking account to push the corporate upward, and I feared having to stay out on the streets once more. Nevertheless, the funding and help, from prizes like this one, have helped saved me and my enterprise. Now, with that stress gone, we’re working very exhausting to additional enhance and commercialize the product for upcoming large-scale tasks.
What recommendation do you may have for different social entrepreneurs?
Morteza: One of the crucial necessary issues I’ve discovered in my life is you could love what you’re preventing for, and you could combat for one thing that you just imagine in. When you have discovered such a purpose, you’ll not be simply deterred when difficulties come up.
You’ll combat and work in direction of it 24/7. I personally am dedicating the whole lot — my life and vitality — in direction of making my purpose occur. I’ve accomplished Judo since I used to be a child and in 2015, I turned a Judo champion in Denmark. I do know what it takes to combat for what you imagine in.
I’ll admit, I’ve made errors and failed a number of occasions. Throughout my journey there have been many moments the place I questioned myself. The quantity of rejection we confronted was unimaginable, however my mindset has all the time been following my targets to provide influence. I’m happy with my errors and failures, as they’re empowering me to take the subsequent steps to be higher.
Keep tuned for extra articles in our weblog sequence, that includes interviews with each Cisco International Downside Solver Problem 2022 profitable crew!
Share: