Summary:
Yes SF, an environmental startup accelerator, has helped Voltair.ai secure its first permanent office in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood
The program provided $100,000 in funding and key connections, accelerating the growth of participating startups
Yes SF has hosted 105 events and supported 14 startups, creating over 20 local jobs
Voltair.ai is developing solar-electric refrigeration systems to reduce emissions and costs in refrigerated fleet operations
A recent grant from Docusign will fund five nonprofit startups addressing sustainability challenges in San Francisco
Jumana Al Hashal, founder and CEO of Voltair.ai, recently moved her smart transport refrigeration startup into its first permanent office in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. This milestone marks a significant achievement not only for her company but also for Yes SF, an accelerator program dedicated to environmental startups.
The Role of Yes SF
Yes SF, launched in June 2023 by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the World Economic Forum, has been instrumental in supporting startups like Voltair.ai. The program provided Al Hashal with crucial connections and a $100,000 award, accelerating her company's growth.
Emily Abraham, the chamber’s director of strategic initiatives, highlighted the success of Yes SF, which has transformed a formerly vacant downtown restaurant space into a vibrant hub. The space now includes a coworking area, hosts multiple weekly events, and features a thriving Red Bay Coffee shop.
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Yes SF has hosted nearly 105 events, primarily focused on sustainability. The program has also supported 14 startups, creating over 20 local jobs. Recently, a grant from Docusign will enable Yes SF to fund five nonprofit startups addressing sustainability challenges in San Francisco.
Al Hashal credits Yes SF with accelerating Voltair.ai’s trajectory through networking and access to free coworking space. She described the program as a catalyst for serendipitous encounters that led to her company’s new office.
Voltair.ai’s Mission
Voltair.ai aims to revolutionize refrigerated fleet operations by reducing costs, waste, and emissions. The company is developing solar-electric refrigeration systems with autonomous temperature and energy management, addressing critical environmental and health issues.
Al Hashal’s vision extends beyond technology; she hopes to increase economic opportunities and reduce pollution, particularly in communities near ports or trucking routes.
The Future of Yes SF
With plans to hire a manager for its growing ecosystem, Yes SF continues to foster innovation and collaboration among environmental startups. Al Hashal’s experience underscores the program’s potential to drive meaningful change and revitalize San Francisco’s downtown area.
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