JLL Foundation deploys record $5.1M to climate startups in 2025
MWN-AI** Summary
In a significant move towards sustainable innovation, the JLL Foundation announced a record investment of $5.1 million in climate startups in 2025, aiming to foster solutions for a sustainable future. This deployment marks the largest loan pool from the foundation since its founding in 2022, bringing its total investments across 62 companies to over $16.8 million, contributing to the mobilization of approximately $165 million in follow-on funding for scaling carbon emission reduction technologies.
The 2025 Annual Report reveals that this year saw the addition of 15 innovative startups, each focused on various aspects of climate change mitigation. The JLL Foundation's circular funding model proved effective as it utilized $1 million in repaid loans from previous years to enhance its 2025 investment capacity. Notably, 93% of the supported technologies aimed at decarbonizing the built environment, while 37% focused on waste reduction.
Among the standout startups in the 2025 cohort are Calcarea, which converts CO2 emissions from cement production into stable oceanic bicarbonate; Conry Tech, which significantly reduces HVAC energy usage; and Calectra, which electrifies industrial heating processes to lower emissions. Furthermore, early support for emerging companies like Carba led to substantial fundraising success, evidencing the importance of early-stage investment in environmentally impactful ventures.
Executive Director Erin Meezan highlighted the foundation's commitment to providing not just capital, but also mentorship to ensure the long-term sustainability of these ventures. With operations spanning the U.S., Canada, Australia, and China, the JLL Foundation continues to position itself as a leader in supporting climate-impacting innovations while reinforcing its commitment to combating climate change globally.
MWN-AI** Analysis
In 2025, the JLL Foundation made a significant leap in sustainable investment by deploying a record $5.1 million into climate startups, reflecting an increasing focus on environmental solutions in various industries. This investment approach not only addresses immediate climate challenges but also leverages a circular funding model that could guide future capital allocations.
Investors should consider this trend as a signal of a robust engagement in the sustainable sector. The Foundation's strategic backing of 15 innovative startups targeting decarbonization and waste reduction is particularly noteworthy. Given the growing regulatory expectations surrounding carbon emissions and the broader societal push for sustainability, companies engaged in these technologies are likely to experience enhanced market opportunities.
For instance, startups like Calcarea, which transforms CO2 emissions from cement production, exemplify innovative solutions that not only align with environmental targets but also offer potential for scalability—an essential factor for long-term investment viability. Similarly, Conry Tech and Calectra present technologies aimed at reducing energy use and emissions in essential industrial processes, indicating a solid market demand for energy efficiency and cleaner production methods.
The Foundation's approach, which includes not just financial support but also mentorship, exemplifies a trend that could resonate with venture capitalists seeking to diversify their portfolios. By backing companies at various growth stages, the JLL Foundation effectively mitigates risks while positioning investments to benefit from increased follow-on funding rounds, just as companies like Carba and Novoloop have demonstrated.
Overall, investors should remain vigilant of emerging technologies that align with climate change mitigation and consider supporting startups that address these critical areas. As demand for sustainable solutions grows, investments in climate-focused enterprises will likely yield significant returns, both financially and socially, creating a greener economy that benefits all stakeholders involved.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
Annual report highlights four-year impact across 62 companies and five continents
CHICAGO, March 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The JLL Foundation deployed its largest loan pool to date in 2025, investing just over $5 million in innovative climate startups to accelerate solutions for a sustainable future.
The 2025 JLL Foundation Annual Report, released today, details this achievement and shares more on the 15 innovative startups that joined the portfolio last year. The report also details the cumulative impact the Foundation has had since it began operations in 2022, helping startups raise nearly $165 million in follow-on funding to scale carbon emission reduction solutions.
This year marked an important validation of the Foundation's circular funding model, which relies on repaid funds to expand annual support. The Foundation received and redistributed $1 million in returned loans from 2022, enhancing its investment capacity for 2025. Foundation-backed companies this year operated across the United States, Canada, Australia and China. Since inception, the JLL Foundation has invested more than $16.8 million in 62 companies across five continents.
"Our zero-interest loans support a range of technologies and infrastructure-ready solutions to address climate change by decarbonizing the built environment, powering renewable energy transition and advancing the circular economy," said JLL Foundation Executive Director Erin Meezan. "Access to our patient, purpose-driven capital paired with our 'beyond the loan' approach - providing business and marketing mentorship - further supports founder independence and scalable, sustainable company investment."
In 2025, all Foundation-backed investments contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, 93% of supported technologies focused on decarbonizing the built environment and 37% on waste reduction. The following represent a sample of the climate-impacting startups in the 2025 cohort:
- Calcarea converts CO2 from cement kilns into stable oceanic bicarbonate using seawater and limestone, enabling permanent carbon storage without pressurized pipelines or geological injection.
- Conry Tech's BullAnt system slashes building HVAC energy use by 60-70%, avoiding 1,500 tons of CO2 emissions per building annually.
- Calectra electrifies industrial heating up to 1800°C for steel, cement and glass production, reducing manufacturing emissions by 35-76% and tackling 20% of global CO2 emissions.
"It's encouraging to see early support translate into real progress over time," said Meezan. "For example, the Foundation's funding supported biocarbon and carbon removal company Carba in opening its first facility. Since the initial funding, Carba closed a $6M fundraising round, reinforcing the value of providing early-stage support at a critical point in a company's development."
As companies move beyond early development, their progress is increasingly visible both in terms of further investments and measurable climate outcomes. In addition to Carba, early support led to further investments and funding for companies across the portfolio as they move through various stages of growth, including:
- Carbonwave (2022 cohort): Secured a $3 million partnership with The World Bank Group. Carbonwave is transforming Caribbean coastal seaweed from an environmental problem into climate solutions that cut methane emissions and replace fossil fuels.
- Mati (2023 cohort): Won the $50 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition and now partners with over 16,000 smallholder farmers across India and Africa, creating economic opportunities while capturing carbon at scale.
- Novoloop (2024 cohort): Closed a $21 million Series B funding round. The women-founded company transforms plastic waste into virgin-quality materials, creating a true circular solution for plastic.
To learn more about the JLL Foundation's impact, visit foundation.jll.com.
About JLL Foundation
JLL Foundation is dedicated to impacting climate change now and in the future. A non-profit founded and backed by JLL, one of the largest global real estate companies with a demonstrated commitment to sustainability, JLL Foundation's goal is to be a catalyst for climate-impacting startups. For further information, visit foundation.jll.com.
About JLL
JLL (NYSE:JLL) is a leading global commercial real estate services and investment management company with annual revenue of $26.1 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 113,000 as of December 31, 2025. For over 200 years, clients have trusted JLL, a Fortune 500® company, to help them confidently buy, build, occupy, manage and invest across a variety of industries and property types, including office, industrial, hotel, multi-family, retail and data center properties. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAY. Powered by rich global datasets and leading technology capabilities, we provide coordinated, end-to-end delivery of real estate services for a broad range of global clients who represent a wide variety of industries. Through LaSalle Investment Management, we invest for clients on a global basis in both private assets and publicly traded real estate securities. For further information, visit jll.com.
Contact: Allison Olp
Phone: +1 815 823 2090
Email: Allison.Olp@jll.com
SOURCE JLL-IR
FAQ**
How does the JLL Foundation's funding model facilitate the scaling of climate startups, and what role does Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated JLL play in this model?
What metrics does the JLL Foundation use to measure the success of its investments in climate startups, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
Can you provide more details on the specific technologies developed by the climate startups supported by Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated JLL and their impact on decarbonization?
What future plans does the JLL Foundation have to expand its investment portfolio in climate startups beyond the current 62 companies?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE: JLL).
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