Now that the Cisco World Drawback Solver Problem 2022 winners have been formally introduced, you’ll need to be taught extra about every profitable crew and the story behind every innovation. The Cisco World Drawback Solver Problem is a web based 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 international locations.
We’re excited so that you can be taught extra concerning the 2022 profitable groups addressing a few of the largest challenges we face by means of technology-based options.
I just lately 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 resolution that may be applied/put in onto any city infrastructure’s floor to instantly seize carbon (CO2) from air, contribute to saving power about 30 to 48 p.c power consumption on a constructing’s HVAC programs, improve sustainability, and clear the air.
What drawback is your know-how resolution making an attempt to unravel and the way does it work?
Morteza: 40 p.c of worldwide power consumption and CO2 emissions originates from buildings.
Our product has a multi-level output: power 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 p.c of power consumption on the HVAC system by returning clear air contained in the constructing with our product.

What’s progressive about the best way you’re fixing the problem? What units your resolution aside?
Morteza: We specifically designed our system to show constructing constructions or partitions, that exist already, into lively, good, and multifunctional programs.
By 2050, round 2.5 billion individuals will probably be dwelling in cities. This can result in extra city building, much less house, and extra air pollution. We want options that may flip old school 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. Subsequently, we’re the world’s first carbon seize know-how that will probably be unplugged whereas continuously 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 resolution?
Morteza: Lengthy story quick, all the pieces began after I was a child. I misplaced considered one of my finest buddies as a result of excessive degree 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 will contribute to cleansing the air from the atmosphere. In 2016, I got here up with an thought from scratch, and ever since then I’ve labored on creating PurCity.
How will profitable a prize within the Cisco World Drawback Solver Problem show you how to advance what you are promoting?
Morteza: Nothing will be completed with out the help of others. This resolution 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 increase the know-how to seize carbon from city infrastructures, clear the air, save power, 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 hold our enterprise sustainable. On a private be aware, if it weren’t for grants like this one, I’d be dwelling 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 reside 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 laborious to additional enhance and commercialize the product for upcoming large-scale tasks.
What recommendation do you have got for different social entrepreneurs?
Morteza: One of the vital essential issues I’ve discovered in my life is you have to love what you’re combating for, and you have to struggle for one thing that you simply imagine in. When you’ve got discovered such a aim, you’ll not be simply deterred when difficulties come up.
You’ll struggle and work in direction of it 24/7. I personally am dedicating all the pieces — my life and power — in direction of making my aim occur. I’ve completed 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 struggle for what you imagine in.
I’ll admit, I’ve made errors and failed a number of instances. Throughout my journey there have been many moments the place I questioned myself. The quantity of rejection we confronted was unbelievable, however my mindset has at all times been following my targets to supply influence. I’m pleased with my errors and failures, as they’re empowering me to take the following steps to be higher.
Keep tuned for extra articles in our weblog collection, that includes interviews with each Cisco World Drawback Solver Problem 2022 profitable crew!
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