ERIN RUBY DESIGN LLC | Application Preview
ERIN RUBY DESIGN LLC is seeking government grants to fund the research and development of innovative Carbon Negative Biochar-based building materials for sustainable housing. The funding will be directed towards creating a range of products including Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), rigid foam insulation, exterior siding, and roofing, all designed for a carbon-negative prefab home kit.
The business plan outlines a two-phase approach: the first three years will focus on research and development, while the subsequent two years will shift to manufacturing and collaboration with eco-conscious manufacturers to ensure market delivery to consumers and contractors.
Within five years, the company intends to evolve from an LLC to a Certified Benefit Corporation and aims to be fully employee-owned. The business model draws inspiration from Patagonia, emphasizing sustainability and accountability in supply chains while committing a portion of profits to charitable efforts that address housing and climate issues.
With over 23 years of experience in architecture and design, the founder has a demonstrated commitment to equity and sustainability through previous nonprofit work focused on racial equity and social justice. The company intends to tackle the pressing housing shortage in the U.S., projected to require housing for an additional 2 billion people by 2050, while addressing the building sector's impact on carbon emissions.
The competitive landscape includes companies providing segments of the bio-based and sustainable materials market; however, ERIN RUBY DESIGN LLC distinguishes itself by being the first to offer a comprehensive Carbon Negative SIPs system, uniquely utilizing Biochar-based materials. This positions the company to effectively address the dual challenges of climate change and housing shortages while outpacing competitors who do not fully meet these sustainability targets.
-
General Information
Business Registration Number: 47-1852060
Location: Bearsville, NY, United States
Length of Operation: 6-10
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: $100k to $250k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: YES
-
Funding Usage
The funding would be allocated toward research and development of Carbon Negative Biochar-based building materials to be used in sustainable housing construction.
-
Business Plan
I have partnered with a sustainable materials scientist to expand into research and development of Biochar-Based Carbon Negative building materials such as: Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) consisting of Biochar-Based Rigid Foam Insulation, Biochar-Based Exterior Siding, Biochar-Based Roofing, to be used as part of a comprehensive Carbon Negative prefab flat-pack home kit system. Years 1-3: Research and Development Years 3-5: Manufacturing, Production and Implementation: Strategic partnerships with eco-conscious manufacturers to provide products directly to consumers and trades (contractors, developers, dealers). The intent is to transition from LLC status into a Certified Benefit Corporation within 5 years, and be 100% employee owned. With a similar model to Patagonia, (a Certified B Corp, but not employee owned) which is a purpose-driven company that invests a portion of their profits in sustainability and climate supportive initiatives. There are currently 34 Certified B Corporations that are employee owned, but only (1) that is 100% employee owned (Dansko). We will provide accountability and transparency of our supply chains for public benefit, and allocate a percentage of profits to a charitable foundation that provides land and homes for climate regenerative community developments. I have been a leader in the Architecture and Design industry for over 23 years. In 2014, I founded my business in order to focus my expertise toward service to the greater good. Since then, I have co-founded two equity-based nonprofits in New York - one to advance racial equity in the design industry, and the other, a social justice 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilized immediate support for local communities, seniors, and individuals experiencing food, housing, and economic insecurity. Equity and sustainability have always been central to my mission, and the most pressing issue we are facing as a society at this time is the combined housing and climate crises. The US is facing a housing shortage. By 2050, we will need to house an additional 2 billion people, emitting 70% of our carbon budget in building materials alone. The building industry is the single largest contributor to carbon emissions on the planet. By developing carbon negative building materials, the benefit is two-fold: bio-based climate positive solutions significantly reduce our carbon footprint, while responsibly adding inventory to the US housing stock. Carbon Negative homes and buildings act as a carbon sink – meaning they remove more carbon from the atmosphere than they release, and aid in the regeneration of depleted or deforested land.
-
Self Identified Competition
Carbon Negative Materials: https://www.madeofair.com/ Bio-Mass Foam Products: https://bpi.dk/en/segments/construction/ SIPs: New York Supplier https://www.enercept.com/ Prefab Sustainable Home Kits: https://www.ecohome.net/guides/3549/zero-carbon-homes-s1600-prefab-eco-home-gets-close/ https://ecocor.us/solsken-morse-court/#render Our Structurally Insulated Panels and Home Kit system will be the first Biochar-based Carbon Negative SIPs product on the market (with the first Biochar-based Rigid Foam). Each of the competitors listed may provide one segment of the product, ie: milled Biochar for use in supply chains, Bio-mass Foam (which uses feedstock but is still partially fossil fuel based), or “Eco Friendly” home kits that are at best Carbon Neutral but not Carbon Negative. None of our competitors comprehensively hit all of these targets.
-
Contact Applicant
Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More
