Top 10 Sustainable Green Tech Companies to watch in 2024 by Prime View Media

A MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN

s global warming's effects intensify every year, attention increasingly turns to organizations specializing in green technology solutions. Many visionaries in these fields are implementing best practices and adopting new technologies to reduce their carbon footprints and adhere to more sustainable development for the future. Innovations such as solar and wind energy, electric cars, biofuels, and efficient irrigation systems are being utilized by green technology firms to address global challenges.

In this issue of "Top 10 Sustainable Green Tech Companies to Watch in 2024," Inc. Magazine features leading sustainable green tech companies for making a significant impact with their services/products. Our cover story highlights Aeolis Forecasting Services, a weather service provider focused on supporting weather-related commerce and the energy sector. Aeolis’s founder Gerard van Noort, became fascinated by artificial intelligence's potential during the 80s. After completing his graduation, Gerard embarked on his journey to turn this potential into real-world applications. Building successful AI applications requires data, and at the time, enough data wasn’t available.

Gerard's data search led him to the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI), where a lot of weather and hydrological data were waiting for smart applications. Within months, the first successful applications for water level and wave height forecasting emerged and outperformed numerical prediction models for decades.

Many of the numerical scientists within the KNMI had a hard time appreciating the performance of AI models and the short time it took to develop them. However, a small team dedicated to improving meteorological support for commerce and industry recognized an opportunity for fast success in forecasting retail data concerning the consumption of weather-related products like ice cream, water, beer, and many others. Following the first successful initiatives, the government ordered the KNMI management to discontinue the commercial initiative since the commercial services did not align with the KNMI's public image. That catalyzed the beginnings of Aeolis Forecasting Services as an innovative endeavor.

So, let’s unveil many such stories of sustainable green tech companies in this special edition and spread the word about their contribution to making the world a better place to live in.

Let’s Read!

Editor’s NOTE

Gerard van Noort

owner | Aeolis Forecasting Services

THE BRAINCHILD OF GERARD VAN NOORT, BRINGING THE POWER OF ACCURATE WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY FORECASTING

Pioneering Revolutionary Changes in Bioreﬁning

Fostering Sustainable Development through Renewable Energy at CEC Spearheading Growth and Change

Articles

O N T E N T S

Managing Editor

Publishing Control Team

Editor-in-Chief Visualizer

Art & Design Head

Business Development Manager Co-designer

Business Development Execu�ve Marke�ng Manager

Assistant Technical Head Technical Head

Digital Marke�ng Manager

Research Analyst Assistanr Digital Marke�ng Manager

Circula�on Manager

Sonal K. Ehsan Jami Alex, Michael

Mary Chars Anushka Bhosle Shweta Ambilwade

Bruce Porter Chirs Philip Maria, Wilson, Mar�na, Alex, Kelvin

Jacob Smile Alina Sege

Jennifer Parker David King

Earl Lewis Scoot Taylor

sales@theincmagazine.com April, 2024

Phone - + 1 415 799 8483

Email: Info@theincmagazine.com

For Subscription: www.theincmagazine.com

Follow us on : www.facebook.com/theincmagazine/ www.twitter.com/theincmagazine www.instagram.com/theincmagazine/ www.linkedin.com/company/theincmagazine

1

COMPANIES TO

GREEN SUSTAINABLE WATCH IN TECH 2024

Company Featuring Description

Aeolis Forecasting Services Zeist, Utrecht, Netherlands

Chempolis Finland

Clean Energy Capital (CEC UK

Growth[period] Washington, D.C.

CRLG Brand & Enterprise Georgia, USA

Gerard van Noort Owner

Heli Antila CEO

Alexander Goodall CEO

Aeolis Forecasting Services, based in Zeist, Utrecht, specializes in wind and solar forecasting. Once part of the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI), it became a private entity in 1998. Under Gerard van Noort's leadership, Aeolis uses advanced meteorology and technology to deliver precise weather forecasts for the energy sector.

Founded in 1995 and led by CEO Heli Antila, Chempolis is a Finnish leader in eco-friendly biorefining technologies. Using formico® technology, they produce sustainable bioethanol, pulps, and cellulosic sugars from biomass like wood and agricultural by-products.

Clean Energy Capital (CEC), founded by Alexander Goodall in 2021, pioneers in renewable energy with a focus on private wire solutions for large UK power users. Valued at over £600 million, CEC is a Green Start Up of the Year 2023.

Courtney B. Spaeth

Founder & CEO

Laura Rothermel

Design designer & CEO

growth[period], led by Courtney B. Spaeth, is a leading global strategic business development and transaction advisory firm. Serving Fortune 1-100 companies and startups across industries like Aerospace, Health, Tech, and Green Energy, the firm is renowned for its ethical practices and has been named "The Best Place to Work" in the DC region for nine out of ten years.

Laura Green Rothermel’s CRLG™ combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design, producing unique materials like CercaTrova® stone, CT Stone™, and CRLG™ Classic Metal Patinas. Based in LaGrange, GA, at the historic Elm City Plant, the company emphasizes artisanal quality over technology.

Gerard van Noort owner | Aeolis Forecasting Services

THE BRAINCHILD OF GERARD VAN NOORT, BRINGING THE POWER OF ACCURATE WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY FORECASTING

The world’s population is increasing rapidly; it is expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050. With the growing population, planning and preparation for a safe energy future are crucial. Headquartered in Zeist, Utrecht, Aeolis Forecasting Services is a wind and solar forecast provider striving to pioneer innovations in the energy sector. Aeolis emerged from a specialized group within KNMI and transitioned into a private enterprise in 1998.

Carrying a distinctive goal to encourage broader use of meteorological information than broadcasting on different media, Aeolis Forecasting Services actively supports the weather-related industry, especially the energy sector, by fusing its meteorological, statistical, and information technology expertise. The company operates at the confluence of artificial intelligence, climate change, and the energy revolution. It focuses on applied weather forecasting to support the energy sector with short- and medium-range demand forecasting & wind and solar power production forecasting.

The Man with the Vision

Gerard van Noort, the owner of Aeolis Forecasting Service, has had a remarkable journey. During his college years in the 1980s, he became fascinated by artificial intelligence's potential. So, after completing his graduation, Gerard embarked on his journey to turn this potential into real-world applications. Building successful AI applications requires data, and at the time, enough data wasn’t available.

Surmounting the Challenges Like a Pro!

In the initial phase, one of the key energy suppliers in the Netherlands approached Gerard van Noort. The energy markets faced a huge change where supply and demand needed to align in a day-ahead market. They were looking for an accurate electricity demand forecast to control market costs. This led Gerard and his team to develop the demand forecasting system Prognos to provide accurate demand forecasting in the electricity and gas markets. Twenty-five years later, the system is still active in the Dutch markets. As the contribution of renewable energy resources like wind and solar to the energy mix gradually increased, they also developed wind and solar power production forecasting systems, which are currently their main activity.

The Significance of Sustainability and Green Technologies

Gerard and his colleagues have seen how renewable resources have affected the daily and intraday energy markets over the past few decades. Several market participants have filed for bankruptcy due to imprecise supply and demand forecasts. Like no other market, the

energy market is driven by technology. Forecast accuracy and information edge will determine tomorrow's winners and losers. Weather service companies compete intensely to determine the best combinations of modeling strategies, data resources, and information technology to provide the most accurate forecasting possible.

Remarkably enough, within a modest budget, as high-cost, high-performance are still not required in most markets. To attract investors for the huge investments involved in wind and solar projects, governments tend to keep the balancing costs at a low level, controversially by persisting in fossil fuel-powered plants. However, climate change will claim its toll, and increased taxation of CO2 emissions is ultimately inevitable, resulting in a higher value of renewable resources and balancing costs. Another year of even more extreme weather events in large economies will trigger such a policy change. The balancing costs will raise the demand for next-level forecasting solutions.

Notable Collaborations – At a Glance

Collaboration and partnerships are vital to innovation and growth. Aeolis initiated collaboration with a technology partner with unique capabilities in the sector. Together with this partner, the firm is confident that it can make a difference. The team is currently looking at partnering with a well-known business with global visibility; such cooperation benefits both parties.

Areas of Focus for Aeolis Forecasting Services

They are strategically working on two different paths. The first track aims to achieve volume by simply outperforming the competition one step ahead. However, the dedicated team at Aeolis was able to restructure the entire production line through self-reflection and analysis of their performance compared to the competition and meet that goal. They stay in close contact with the customers to monitor customer value and are ready to scale up on confirmation.

The second track is more ambitious and aims to outperform the competition beyond one step ahead. This approach focuses on using numerical weather models with ultra-high resolution to forecast electricity output at the turbine level instead of the park level. This method is more costly because it requires a lot more resources than standard solutions. However, the first projects demonstrate that the customer value of this forecasting solution easily outweighs the expenditures by ten times, even in a mild penalty system.

Striking a Fine Balance Between Profitability and Sustainability

The sector's growth is not a target but the result of standing out from the competition. Innovation and research are key to reaching that level of competitiveness. Once this level has been reached, as Gerard van Noort believes, it is time to roll out the products globally. This can be done through digital marketing and low-threshold customer solutions or in partnership with a globally active partner who shares the same belief that high-performance forecasting is not only necessary but required for the impending energy transition.

Suggestions for Aspiring Innovators

Gerard thinks that for aspiring innovators to make a difference in sustainable technology and weather forecasting, they must understand that they're joining a global community of smart and motivated scientists focused on advancing the energy transition. He believes that standing out in this competitive field requires creating innovative solutions that genuinely help. Keeping their algorithms secret and finding supportive audiences is extremely crucial, but if they manage to do this, they can make a significant impact on the world and its future.

PIONEERING REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES IN BIOREFINING

Established in 1995, Chempolis is well-known for its eco-friendly biorefining technologies and innovative biorefining solutions. Led by CEO Heli Antila, the Finnish-based Chempolis has spearheaded a dynamic revolution, enabling the production of various value-added products from renewable sources.

Chempolis’ formico® technologies allow for the sustainable production of bioethanol, high-quality pulps such as dissolving pulp, cellulosic sugars, biochemicals, and sulfur-free lignin from various lignocellulosic materials. Their processes are tailored to utilize different types of biomasses, including hardwood and softwood as well as non-wood and non-food sources like straw, bagasse, corn stover, EFB, and bamboo.

Primarily focused on developing biobased products for biorefinery clients and licensing biorefining technologies, Chempolis also excels in conceptualization, process engineering, and plant engineering. The organization’s dedication to creating efficient, eco-friendly solutions has resulted in over 100 patents.

The innovative concept is continuously developed and tested at an internal biorefinery in Oulu, Finland, which Chempolis planned, built, and operates. Located 200 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, this facility serves as Chempolis' main hub of innovation and provides extensive testing services to its partners and clients.

Nestled by the Oulu River amidst a dense pine forest and blueberry shrubs, the biorefinery park serves as a constant reminder to the team of its commitment to supporting the green economy for a cleaner future.

Integrating Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

Developing biorefining technologies from labs to industrial biorefineries is time-consuming and requires significant investments. Despite these challenges, Chempolis has successfully navigated the journey, culminating in the upcoming launch of the first industrial biorefinery utilizing formico® technology in India.

Antila also believes this is the right time to accelerate the transition into the commercial phase and reap the benefits of industrialization in a changing market landscape. This entails enhancing material efficiency from feedstock to products, focusing on valuable bioproducts, and improving CAPEX and OPEX.

However, the team at Chempolis remains committed to sustainability, continually assessing its impact and refining processes in light of the commercial phase, particularly in today’s rapidly changing market dynamics. While sustainability has been integral to the organization’s approach, it still continues to explore new avenues to uphold environmental and social responsibility.

Staying Ahead of Industry Trends with Innovation and R&D

Being in the mainstream for over two decades, Heli Antila and her team understand the importance of staying in sync with changing times. So, they prioritize a culture of ongoing innovation and adopting advanced technologies in their business operations. Chempolis' commitment to innovation, research, and development is epitomized by the organization’s state-of-the-art biorefinery, the

Deployment of Biorefining Technologies

Antila believes collaborating with ecosystems along the way is key to success. Starting with R&D, it is essential to partner with academia and industry to explore optimal technological concepts and products, for instance. Long-term research and development as well as the opportunity to fund pilot facilities often necessitate government support, too.

At this stage, collaboration with customers is crucial to secure market fit for new sustainable biomaterials from our biorefineries. Sometimes products are drop-in solutions, but sometimes Chempolis’ customers also need their own development work. Luckily the company’s customers are committed to more sustainable biobased solutions, and Chempolis has several collaboration activities ongoing.

Antila also believes developing sustainable feedstock sourcing with local communities is extremely important for biorefinery owners. Sustainability in this context encompasses the overall financial, social, and environmental well-being of all parties involved.

Distinctive Strategy for Navigating Regulatory and Policy Landscapes

Chempolis formico® technology can be expressed with one word, flexibility, as it is extremely flexible with different feedstocks and products. As regulatory frameworks change and vary over time and in different countries, Chempolis can easily modify its biorefineries accordingly. For instance, the organization can choose to generate paper grade pulp or dissolving pulp, sugars, or ethanol from selectively fractionated cellulose.

Paving the Way for the Future Bio-Circular Economy

Chempolis can help to pave the way for the bio-circular economy of the future from two major perspectives:

biorefineries help the organization to gain easier access to agri-biomass biomass sources.

The fractionation process aims to produce high-value products from over 90 % of the feedstock. Compared to current mainstream techniques, material efficiency is significantly higher. Thus, more bioproducts are obtained from smaller amounts of feedstock.

Emerging Hurdles and Opportunities in the Green Tech Industry: Heli Antila’s Take

Chempolis was established nearly 30 years ago, but now the first-of-its-kind industrial plant with formico® technology is truly under construction. Significant obstacles facing Chempolis and the green tech sector at large are:

Support and financing mechanisms and a risk-taking appetite for first-of-a-kind (FOAK) industrial plants are missing or too low. R&D, laboratory tests, and piloting only take the concept to a certain level. As the team at Chempolis can prove the technologies on an industrial scale, they acknowledge that there will be unpredictability and learned lessons at that point.

The fossil fuel economy often overlooks its negative impacts on people and the environment, as these externalities aren't factored into prices. If these costs were considered, sustainable solutions would likely be more widely adopted. However, Antila sees regulatory trends as positive, facilitating the adoption of sustainable alternatives.

Overall, Heli Antila currently sees more opportunities than obstacles.

Future Prospects to Thrive For

Chempolis is moving quickly towards becoming a leader in biorefining technologies. The objective with its formico® technology is industrialization through improvements in OPEX and CAPEX. On the product side, the team plans to

continue its product development for all fractions. The customer need is there, and both end customers and the regulatory framework support their solutions. Only by enabling industrial biorefineries, the company can have sizable impacts, including:

The transition from fossil materials and fuels to biobased materials and fuels at scale — for all its products. Life Cycle Assessment is superior to alternatives.

Jobs in the growing, sourcing, processing, and transportation of biomass feedstock for rural communities in the area.

One biorefinery can already have a CO2 reduction impact of between 500 and 800 kilotons per year.

Upcoming Projects and Innovations: A Glance

The outlook for scaling the technology appears highly promising, with around ten projects underway across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Three of these projects are at different stages of development: construction is ongoing for one (ABRPL) in India, another is in the development phase with NTPC, and a third is in development with NordFuel in Finland.

Antila and her team are incredibly proud and excited about the range of products they can produce. They view this as just the beginning of their journey, with vast potential to produce a range of biobased products and replace fossil alternatives.

ALEXANDER GOODALL CEO - Clean Energy Capital

FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY AT CEC

The Inc Magazine are pleased to showcase a seasoned entrepreneur who has over a decade of experience in the renewable energy sector, is renowned for successfully overcoming market obstacles, introducing revolutionary ideas, and raising significant amounts of funding. Alexander Goodall has a track record of launching, growing, and selling businesses to business leaders. His path has been fuelled by his knack for identifying market constraints and introducing ground-breaking ideas, particularly when government support is minimal.

Dive into this distinctively crafted story to find out more about Alexander's trajectory in the field of renewable energy, revealing the story of his rise to success and successful exit of two businesses, as well as his leadership responsibilities at Statkraft and SunEdison.

The Key Inspiration Behind CEC’s Incorporation

Alexander's motivation for founding Clean Energy Capital (CEC) stemmed from a pressing need for accelerated renewable energy adoption in the face of a worsening climate crisis. He candidly stated, “There is a real absence of proactive Government support in the UK to hasten the switch to renewable energy, despite the worsening climate problem.”

This drove him to establish CEC as his third business, propelled by a deep-seated commitment to effecting real change. He realized that he had to be the catalyst for this transformation. His prior experience in raising seed funding positioned him well within the industry to garner substantial support. At its core, the business’ concept revolves around delivering private wire solutions to large

power users (LPUs) across the UK. Alexander's aim was to make renewable energy a clear choice for major organizations by offering both economically and environmentally beneficial energy solutions. This strategy increases the commercial feasibility of LPUs while empowering them to start their decarbonization journey.

The Company at a Glance

CEC, established in May 2021, stands at the forefront of reducing CO2 emissions from major emitters in the UK. Currently, this is the only renewable energy provider pro-actively supplying LPUs with private wiring solutions. By providing a new, alternative source of income, this unique offering helps both landowners and LPUs.

CEC's track record speaks volumes about its distinctiveness. With over 0.5GWp of solar projects (valued at £600 million) under contract with "blue-chip" corporations and a pipeline boasting over 3.3 GW of capacity, CEC consistently surpasses expectations. This success can be attributed to the exceptional team and the unwavering support of investors and advisors, including merchant bank Cameron Barney.

Embracing Change and Innovation

In the dynamic global renewable energy marketplace, adaptability and innovation are paramount . “There is a culture of curiosity and problem-solving at Clean Energy Capital. We promote lifelong learning to keep our workforce abreast of market changes. Through programs like our "Hero of the Month" award, we value new concepts and honour and promote exceptional achievement. 'At CEC, teamwork across departments is encouraged to address the

complex issues facing the business”, revealed Alexander.

The CEO encourages everyone to see obstacles as opportunities for progress and to discuss and ask questions about current concerns in the sector to increase their collective knowledge, which helps them win business. The diverse 23-member team at CEC is committed to innovation and expansion.

A Confluence of Economic, Environmental, and Societal Impacts

Solar PV projects exemplify environmentally friendly renewable energy projects with minimal short-term impact, in contrast to fossil fuel projects that permanently scar the land. they facilitate dual usage of land opportunities, giving landowners the opportunity to make money while protecting biodiversity.

During a global energy crisis, CEC's team is assisting clients in reducing their energy bills. They collaborate closely with them to offer the best way to achieve their net-zero and ESG ambitions, mitigating climate change's effects on future generations.

Dealing with Industry Obstacles Like a Pro!

Securing initial funding is a major hurdle when launching any business, but specifically in the renewable energy sector. Gaining investors' confidence and demonstrating project’s viability are crucial components of overcoming this financial obstacle.

Growing CEC from a small team to over 20 employees in just 18 months underscored the importance of meticulous hiring procedures and fostering a work environment that aligns with his entrepreneurial values. For Alexander, effective leadership extends beyond direction; providing incentives that boost employee motivation and skill development is essential for maintaining a motivated and proactive team.

Diversity and Inclusion

Innovation and creative thought are fuelled by diversity. The hiring process at CEC places a high value on choosing the most competent candidates for each position, irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, or origin. Building a team that reflects the broad spectrum of backgrounds and experiences within the community requires actively pursuing talent from many networks and sources.

But diversity doesn't end at the entry level. CEC strive to provide opportunities for all employees to grow into leadership positions and, when necessary, transition to various areas of the company, actively supporting their professional development.

Sustainability: The Core of CEC’s Operation

Clean Energy Capital's objective intrinsically involves striking a balance between financial success and complete dedication to environmental and sustainability goals, and Alexander and his team take this commitment seriously.

The company’s dedication to sustainability is fundamental to their day-to-day operations as well, which is why they were awarded Green Start Up of the Year 2023 at this year's UK Start Up Awards!

They adhere to what they preach by implementing sustainable practices such as choosing sustainable office spaces, endorsing alternative commuting

methods to curtail their carbon footprint, and actively supporting green initiatives on both local and global scales.

Additionally, innovation is essential to the strategy. Their sustainability objectives are a long-term commitment rather than a fleeting one. In the future, according to CEC, renewable energy will not only be more cost-effective but also the option of choice for both communities and enterprises. Their investments and decision-making are guided by this long-term vision, which guarantees that societal and environmental advantages coexist with financial success.

“If our energy is unsustainable, so is our existence!” Alexander Goodall

The development of a sustainable future unquestionably depends on the renewable energy sector, which faces both formidable obstacles and enormous prospects. Change-making elements like the AI revolution, the growth of data centers, the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) and battery production, as well as the rise of the hydrogen economy, are driving the steadily rising demand for power.

These massive changes in energy consumption patterns have important effects on the environment. As electrification spreads, power consumption is expected to soar considerably, especially in

industries like transportation where EVs are gaining ground quickly. Data has also evolved into an essential component of the contemporary economy. In addition, the expanding hydrogen market, especially the green hydrogen sector, shows potential as a source of clean energy. Despite these profound changes, the renewable energy industry still faces formidable obstacles, including a lack of government support and, occasionally, outright rejection of renewable ideas.

Clean Energy Capital (CEC) recognizes these challenges and is determined to be a pivotal player in this global energy transformation. “Our recent doubling in headcount and successful fundraising signifies our commitment to being a leading force in private renewable energy infrastructure and technology towards our ultimate goal of becoming an IPP (Independent Power Producer)" asserted the visionary leader.

CEC aspires to establish itself as a world leader in renewable energy, supporting clients globally in their efforts to attain net-zero carbon emissions. whilst solar energy is currently their primary focus due to ease of installation, they remain technology-agnostic and prepared to customize solutions to meet each client's unique needs.

Sneak Peek of CEC's Future

COURTNEY SPAETH

FOUNDER & CEO - GROWTH [ PERIOD ]

SPEARHEADING GROWTH AND CHANGE

Courtney B. Spaeth's journey from the national security corridors to the helm of the very successful global strategic business development and transaction advisory firm, growth[period], is a testament to her exceptional determination and visionary leadership.

Mrs. Spaeth started her career in the aerospace-defense security sector, including working for the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice and at Fortune 100 companies. While at the Department of Defense she also worked in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-intensity Conflict’s Counter Terrorism division prior to 911. However, she eventually pivoted to becoming an entrepreneur and her seventeen years of success as CEO of growth[period] underscores the wisdom of that choice.

"I wanted to create a company where we could help other companies with their growth challenges. Also, it was important to me to create a culture that was not grounded in fear- I wanted the people who work there to know that it is not mistakes that matter but the intent behind them. growth[period] has won the Best Place to Work in the National Capitol Region nine years out of the last ten – so we have been very successful at establishing and sustaining a healthy and productive work culture,"- explains Mrs. Spaeth.

Helping Clients Improve their Performance

growth[period]’s approach on behalf of their clients revolves around intelligent expansion, combining both strategic and tactical business development. Their management consulting arm also focuses on helping clients improve their existing position in the market and their growth-to-exit division is very successful at assisting their clients with best positioning to sell for the highest valuation.

growth[period]’s clientele varies and ranges from Fortune 1-100 companies to pre-revenue venture-backed companies. The firm works across a variety of industries, including Federal Contracting, Aerospace & Defense; Global Health & Wellness; Sports, Hospitality, Arts & Culture; Tech, IT, Cloud, Telecon & Fintech; Construction, Architecture & Engineering; and Green Energy & Infrastructure. They are experts in all aspects of growth and have achieved seventeen years success across all their verticals.

Differentiating the Brand

At the core of growth[period] 's identity lies an exceptional commitment to ethics, setting the firm apart. In a landscape where skepticism often shrouds the roles of consultants and business developers, growth[period] aligns promises with actions and achieves results for their clients.

They view business development, at its heart, as complex problem solving and approach their profession with the mindset that it is an art and a science and that they know how to successfully navigate both.

"We are professional growers – we are hunters/killers, not eaters – and we have the dedication, focus, and experience to produce measurable results on our client's behalf." - explained Mrs. Spaeth.

Leading the Charge

In a departure from traditional corporate norms, Mrs. Spaeth does not sit in an office but works in a conference room with glass walls, allowing for an easy way for anyone to come in and work with her or have a conversation. She removes the cultural stigma of “going to see the boss in their office.”

Culture is paramount at growth[period] and they

have been awarded “The Best Place to Work” in the Washington, DC region for nine out of the last ten years. They also have a high retention rate of employees and Spaeth views this as one of the accomplishments she is most proud of, “we work hard to not insert ego in our decision-making process. We have created a culture that values everyone’s input and is transparent.”

Tackling Challenges

In the ever-evolving landscape of business development, Mrs. Spaeth recognizes the massive impact of AI as a formidable challenge that looms on the horizon. The leadership team, of growth[period], under her direction, is embracing this change and working to adopt it going forward. The economic environment for the last couple of years has also been challenging for all businesses and the growth[period] leadership team has done a great job of successfully navigating it – as well as helping their clients through it.

Looking at the Future

With the advent of AI and other technological advances the landscape for all companies going forward is complex. growth[period]’s executive team is now focusing on aggressively achieving strategic growth for the business, including

investing in AI tools and creating intellectual property to best serve their clients’ future needs.

“Right now, we are focused on strategic growth for the business, and we are in the midst, as a leadership team, of looking forward and seeing how we can leverage cutting edge technology to add value to our clients. We are looking at potential acquisitions focused on this as well buying companies that have complementary capabilities to offer the market.”- Spaeth explains.

Suggestions for Young Entrepreneurs

Mrs. Spaeth’s experience has taught her that being an entrepreneur requires a lot of strength, grit, and determination. Many small businesses fail within the first three years, so it is exceptionally notable that her company is shortly entering its seventeenth year. Spaeth spends a lot of personal time speaking to budding entrepreneurs and stresses how important it is to understand how valuation of businesses are derived before investing your time, money, and energy into a new enterprise. It is often very upsetting to founders five to ten years in that the company they started, nurtured, and grew has limited value in the market because its focus does not lead to high value creation monetarily in the eyes of potential acquirers. “Historically female entrepreneurs, in particular, tended to create service businesses because services were more familiar to them. However, product businesses, in general, tend to have higher valuation. Women need to help educate and support each other to right size that trend and to assist with the heavy lift of raising capital,” according to Spaeth.

Laura Rothermel

Design Designer & CEO | CRLG Brand & Enterprise

"I finally found peace among men; the solidarity to be nothing but what I am; accepting God's will for my life as the ultimate designer and creator."

-Laura Green Rothermel

The black and white reputation of the design designer has equally inspired and puzzled the industry for decades. Equally balanced with a heavy preference for the passion and high creative mind the designer's struggle became a new lifestyle - Necesse Est - striking a delicate balance between our roots and modernity. LGR's passion speaks to our culture and the humanities in a way that is nothing short of captivating.

When design designer Laura Green Rothermel met her match Sculptor Chris Rothermel in 2014 a new way of thinking about material culture, manufacturing and architecture was born out of adversity. The romance that began with conversations over coffee is now leading the industry in a new philosophy. Green Rothermel leads a vetted team of architects, engineers and designers to produce one-of-a-kind results in the industry today, motivated by challenges the entrepreneur tackles things with a highly logical and practical approach in spite of her couture sense for fashion and the fine arts.

Today CRLG™ is standing on its own two feet and walking straight into industry as a new product line produced in the US by artisans and craftsmen. The technologies are human dependent, embedded in the days of old and a rather soulful approach to the material world. The materials give the material world as we know it a ‘cold hard stare’ and simply move on as a completely different take on modern culture.

The company’s perspective on where we are today as a people group offers a refreshing countercultural stance. The founders are using as little technology as possible in order to free up time for physical realities and the adventure of life itself. CRLG™ recent successes include working with industry thought leaders to produce a seemingly impossible project as sculpture for one of the world’s leading technology companies located on their new Atlanta, GA campus. The project was completed as a team with complex and compound angles constructed of just over 4 tons of aluminum and CRLG™ Classic Metal Patinas. Team members included Kellen Minor with ai3, Javier Santos with Onyx Creative, Collins Westcott, with Pierre Construction Group, Henry Cantwell, Claudia Haines & Marat Tsablinov with Nelson Worldwide, Bob Godfrey of LaGrange, Anna Knight of LaGrange, Mick Billingsley of LaGrange, Bert Gardner of LaGrange, Bill Stump with Community Bank Shares of LaGrange and countless others who made the project possible.

The products making their debut now are CercaTrova® a handpressed stone made in the ancient tradition of scagliola, CT Stone™ bridging the gap between what is old and new, and CRLG™ Classic Metal Patinas adding depth to surfaces. All three materials are designed to bring artistry to the forefront of American Culture, sort of rebuilding America from the ground up in a modern way. The materials are traditionally applied to our historic architecture replacing one-of-a-kind pieces in need of a little TLC or restoring the buildings to a new standard. In new buildings the materials add a highly desirable layer of patina and mystery to the clean lines as a contrast to the overall project. The company works with trade and industry professionals to support high quality construction materials and impactful results.

CRLG™ produces products out of a Turn of the Century factory made famous in the early 1900’s – Elm City Plant in LaGrange, GA. CRLG™ has teamed up with a highly respected development firm in Atlanta, GA to reimagine the campus and add value to the local economy. LaGrange, GA stands as one of the most highly desirable locations for manufacturing in the southern US today. It’s rock solid way of life, good old fashioned values and comfortable pace of life are a compelling combination today.