Students get funding to prototype lamppost charging stations for electric vehicles

Students get funding to prototype lamppost charging stations for electric vehicles

In March 2020, the streets of New York City were nearly empty—as they were almost everywhere in the world. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed fundamental changes in climate change.As shipping stops, so does the volume air pollutionwhile long-term targets for carbon dioxide emissions were achieved in just a few weeks.

This impact, while extreme, demonstrates the importance of sustainable transport in combating climate change. Jeff Prosserman and Luke Myrow, Master of Sustainability Management (SUMA) Students and founders of a company called Voltpost aim to make this green transition possible. Voltpost is working on retrofitting lamp posts to electric vehicle charging stations managed by a mobile app – they hope to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption by providing cities with scalable roadside charging.

Recently, Jeff and Luke, along with Aditi Desai, a part-time SUMA student and full-time Voltpost employee, raised $1.3 million in funding for Voltpost’s mission. They will use the funds to develop the Voltpost lamp post charging system, secure pilot contracts, and expand the Voltpost team.

Jeff (2021 SUMA grad), Luke and Aditi took the time to talk to us about their time in the SUMA program and how it can help them meet their climate change goals.

What attracted you to the SUMA program?

JP: Before starting Columbia University’s graduate program in Sustainability Management, I was the Director of Innovation at Samsung in New York City. Given the state of the climate crisis, I realize that I can no longer stand idly by. I see the SUMA program as an opportunity to expand my understanding of climate science and business management skills. As a father, my goal is to make a measurable positive impact and create a more sustainable future for the next generation.

LM: Before the program, I was an associate at Barclays and wore many sustainability hats. I host an environmental network at the bank focused on climate activism and have a range of sustainable banking practices from my desk. Seeing the direness of the crisis at hand, I sought to expand my influence by deepening my expertise through the SUMA program. The program provides the tools and networks to make meaningful changes in the future climate and make the world a better place.

advertise: Before joining SUMA, I was involved with the Barclays Environmental Network with Luke and was involved in grassroots activities in my personal time. My desire to deepen my understanding of the inextricable relationship between environmental justice and climate action led me to join the program. I was also drawn to SUMA for its holistic approach to sustainability. I believe that the various disciplines and applications of sustainability are not mutually exclusive, but rather an interconnected network with the potential to create meaningful collective change.

What inspired you to create (or join) Voltpost?

JP: During the first semester of my SUMA program, I extensively studied the wide range of issues facing global warming. Recognizing that major climate issues can provide the basis for technological innovation, I am determined to find breakthrough business opportunities to reduce carbon emissions.

After analyzing many climate issues and developing some initial business cases, I wrote my research paper From Lampposts in New York to Voltpost: Driving Electric Vehicle Adoption Internship at the Earth Institute. This research paper sparked a conversation and became the basis for Voltpost.

LM: I chair the program’s Environmental Entrepreneurs (ENVENT) student organization to find and nurture innovative climate solutions. When Jeff joined ENVENT, we discussed many ideas, and his internship thesis immediately stood out as a key innovation in urban decarbonization.With our complementary skills, I am delighted to co-found Voltpost with him to bring sustainable and fair infrastructure Solutions for life.

advertise: After a year as a part-time student in the SUMA program, I feel more compelled than ever to translate my learning and passion for impact into my day job. If you had asked me a year ago, I would not have imagined myself working at a climate technology startup, but I am so inspired and motivated by the ingenuity and impact of ideas like Voltpost. I was also drawn to Voltpost because I quickly saw the company’s potential in promoting equity and improving air quality and mobility in communities that are environmentally racist and injustice.

Photo: microphone from Pexels

Did you both meet through the show? a specific class?

JP: During the first few days of the program, I joined the Environmental Entrepreneurs (ENVENT) student group as vice chair. ENVENT President Luke Mairo and I discussed the need for students in the SUMA program to develop equitable climate solutions. This ignites friendships that explore entrepreneurial opportunities.

I first worked with Jörn Vicari, co-founder of Voltpost at Samsung, where he led product design across all smart categories. With more than 20 years of award-winning product direction and 50 patents, I knew Jörn could bring the Voltpost vision to the world.

With this team, I know we have the foundation to build great things.

advertise: Luke and I met when we joined Barclays in 2016 as summer interns. We share a common interest in environmentalism and sustainability and we are also part of the Barclays Environment Network. Luke later introduced me to the SUMA program when he started his first semester in 2020.

How does your experience in the SUMA program apply to Voltpost?

JP: The SUMA program offers a unique opportunity to learn from the best minds working in sustainability today. The SUMA course enhanced my abilities as a business leader. Some of the key skills applied to Voltpost development include: financial modelling, sustainable operations, persuasive communication, business strategy, greenhouse gas accounting and impact assessment. SUMA is the springboard for Voltpost. The diverse community of Colombian Climate Warriors is our inspiration. This is our origin story.

LM: SUMA provides the growth that makes this leap into a climate leader possible. Student organizations like ENVENT showcase opportunities to foster innovation, partnerships and networking across the climate technology landscape. The professors are experts in their respective fields of sustainability, and they provide in-depth education and open-ended guidance and support for achieving individual goals. They keep doing it! Voltpost has been an exciting lens for applying coursework across the physical dimensions of energy, finance, carbon and geospatial modeling, and community equity to challenging real-world problems.

advertise: Courses such as Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Building Resilience in 21st Century Detroit have provided me with tangible skills and methods to understand how I work at Voltpost. Because the SUMA program is interdisciplinary, I can take bits and pieces from my coursework and apply them to my daily work.

What is the most beneficial part of the SUMA program?

JP: In addition to an incredible education, the SUMA program provides access to outstanding professors and students who share a mission to save our planet. The relationships that develop during your academic journey are simply amazing. Many of the people we meet in our Voltpost business development conversations are alumni or professors of the SUMA program. This group is really inspiring and I am grateful to be a part of the Columbia community.

LM: We often refer to Colombia as the gift that keeps on giving. It’s hard not to point to Jeff, Aditi, and the many networks of like-minded peers we meet in the community as the most rewarding part of the program. In addition to these relationships, the University offers several pro bono programs to support Voltpost, including SUMA Net Impact (Sumani), the Columbia Law School Entrepreneurship Clinic, the Columbia Entrepreneurial Community Impact Program, and the Tamer Center Prize Advisory Team of the Business School.

advertise: Aside from coursework, joining and leading student organizations has always been the most memorable part of SUMA. SUMA has a community of students and professors who are interested in helping each other. Networking with students from different backgrounds and perspectives has exposed me to different areas of sustainability. Without the student clubs and interconnected support network like Columbia, I wouldn’t be exposed to all the different career opportunities, including Voltpost.

What are your hopes for the future of Voltpost and climate change?

We recently secured $1.3 million in private financing to develop and confirm a pilot for the Voltpost lamp post charging system. Our team has now grown to 10 people working on turning lampposts into Voltposts.

The professional and financial risk of growing a company from scratch is a huge burden.

Why are we accomplishing this seemingly impossible feat? We are running out of time, and necessity outweighs difficulty. Our goal is for Voltpost to fuel global zero-emission transportation. Whatever the future holds, our team is driven to leave this world better than where we started.