the incubator has launched a number of successful projects, including fluma, which produces design parts for homes and businesses that double as spaces for plants to grow, and city farm & fish, a program bringing aquaponics to cities. check back next week for a special feature on bus roots, an alumnus from the incubator that focuses on urban agriculture with a mobile twist.

^{originally submitted 4/2/13}

the vision of “the incubator” is to capture the innovative thinking of our students and turn great ideas into viable businesses that also consider the environmental and social impact as a part of their “triple” bottom line. to date we have supported the launch of over 30 businesses – in five sectors; product design, clean energy, fashion, design consulting and social innovation. these companies are developing green products, green jobs and a green economy by offering space, a community that shares values that define success, and access to educational resources and mentorship that tie together business expertise with sustainable best practices that support growing businesses that consider the environment and society from the outset.

habitat for humanity has begun to build “passive houses” across the country in washington d.c., kentucky, and vermont to name a few. what is a passive house? check out this quick video below that explains it:

as the architect in the video, david peabody, emphasizes, “that first cost is worth it when they think of the total cost of ownership, so it’s becoming good business to do it instead of just the right thing.” habitat for humanity has begun building passive houses with just that in mind: the cost of owning a home doesn’t end when you sign the mortgage. low income families often use 40% of their income on energy costs, according to tom digiovanni, head of the passive house alliance in washington, d.c. cutting this cost can be a crucial step that helps more people own homes, as well as stay in those homes once they move in.

it’s past time that we start adopting these energy saving, cost cutting techniques in all of our buildings. and as with most of our country’s energy challenges, there’s no better place to start than at home.