Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) like GreenBanana are revolutionizing construction with climate-friendly innovations, empowering vulnerable communities while advocating for capital and support to scale their impact globally.
The Hidden Innovators of Climate Solutions: SGBs Leading the Way in Sheltertech
At the ANDE Annual Conference on Tuesday, September 10th, a Spark Talk titled “The Secret Small and Growing Business Climate Innovators: Sheltertech” shed light on the vital role of sheltertech entrepreneurs in mitigating climate impacts. Nihar Agarwal, Founder Director of GreenBanana Environment Solutions, captivated the audience with an accessible yet powerful presentation on the climate crisis hiding in plain sight—within the construction sector. She highlighted a staggering reality: the industry is responsible for nearly 30% of global CO2 emissions, a figure that few realize but affects all.
Agarwal introduced GreenBanana’s game-changing solution: DIY interlocking construction blocks. These blocks, which require no mortar, are designed to provide both affordability and sustainability, addressing climate resilience in ways that traditional materials cannot. Her vision goes beyond products, urging capital investment, platform access, and strong support systems to help Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) scale their impact. She emphasized that SGBs are uniquely positioned to bring climate-conscious innovations to underserved markets, stating, “As a climate-conscious business owner, what does your utopia look like? Let’s collaborate to co-create the future we aspire to be in.”
Beyond the technical innovations, Agarwal’s commitment to empowering women in construction left a lasting impression. She shared stories of how GreenBanana is not only creating sustainable materials but also building capacity within communities, particularly for women. This dual focus on sustainability and social impact makes GreenBanana a model for what inclusive, climate-conscious businesses can achieve when given the right support.
The broader theme of the session was clear: sheltertech SGBs are at the forefront of providing innovative, scalable solutions to help low-income families adapt to the increasing risks of climate change. From resilient building materials to human-centered designs that protect against extreme weather, fire, and disease, these businesses are responding to urgent market needs, often overlooked by traditional investors and business development services.
Agarwal’s Spark Talk was a call to action for more capital, stronger platforms, and enhanced support for climate-conscious SGBs. As the world confronts the growing challenges of climate change, sheltertech businesses like GreenBanana are stepping up with practical, scalable solutions that benefit both the planet and vulnerable communities. The future they envision is one where innovation meets resilience, and partnerships fuel progress.
For those looking to join forces, GreenBanana—a Habitat for Humanity Sheltertech portfolio company backed by Villgro India—is seeking collaborators who share their vision for scalable, impact-driven solutions. This is a unique opportunity for investors and partners to play a role in shaping a sustainable future.
Join the Conversation
What does your climate-conscious utopia look like? How can we work together to empower communities and scale solutions? Let’s continue this critical conversation on how SGBs are leading the way in sheltertech innovations.