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Business Journals
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
From idea to impact: How Yes SF continues to spur a new wave of innovation in San Francisco
When Deloitte collaborated with the World Economic Forum, Salesforce, Citi, and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce to launch the Yes SF initiative in 2023, it was a bit of an experiment in and of itself. The goal? To help revitalize downtown San Francisco by elevating and supporting the growth of leading innovations in urban sustainability and cultivate an ecosystem of organizations to deploy those solutions locally, while supporting innovators through the revitalization jump-starting a local network of start-ups that could spur economic growth and diversify the economy in a way that is better for people and the planet. Just over two years later, the experiment is producing results. Yes SF is spurring a movement The program began as an innovation challenge calling for solutions to many of San Francisco's sustainability and revitalization goals. Fourteen companies — 'Top Innovators' — were chosen from 150 applicants. Since the program's inception, more than $60 million has been invested in San Francisco and many of these Top Innovators, and the momentum continues to build. For example, Butlr, which creates thermal, privacy-first sensors, is now deployed in the Salesforce Tower. it's electric recently launched a new wave of curbside EV charging stations in the city. And BluumBio, Flower Turbines, Urban Machine, Zauben, and more are expanding their presence with local hires and new deployments that are helping to spur San Francisco's economy. Meet the second cohort: Where sustainability meets AI In April, Yes SF announced its second cohort of Top Innovators. The new cohort is centered at the intersection of sustainability and AI. Top Innovators are harnessing data and cutting-edge technology to tackle daunting challenges such as resource management (including energy generation and efficiency and biodegradable packaging) as well as transportation and mobility (including microgrids and autonomous last-mile delivery solutions). The program intentionally choses startups that are early stage but ready to deploy. And, with the broad support Yes SF provides, these founders can build here and help advance the city's collective journey toward urban transformation and sustainability. What companies are getting — and giving back One of the most powerful roles Yes SF plays is convening and connecting San Francisco's innovation ecosystem. When the program began, I don't think any of us anticipated just how deeply the community would lean in. Today, nearly 60 organizations have joined the program, including large corporations and community institutions offering everything from research and development space to marketing support and mentorship. Thanks to the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Top Innovators can participate in information sessions related to doing business in San Francisco, get help navigating the permitting process, and receive support to build and scale their solutions. They also get visibility at events like Dreamforce, San Francisco Climate Week, and even the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. That combination of practical support and high-level visibility helps make this initiative quite powerful. Why I'm more hopeful than ever I've spent my career working across the private, public, and social sectors — and I've always believed in the power of collaboration. Yes SF has become a shining example of what's possible when you bring various players to the table. I remain confident in San Francisco's future. I see the energy downtown. I see the collaboration across sectors. And I see a new kind of innovation taking root — one that is local, sustainable, and visionary. San Francisco's next wave of innovators is here and they are just getting started. This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication. About Deloitte Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ('DTTL'), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as 'Deloitte Global') does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the 'Deloitte' name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see
Axios
22-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
How San Francisco is leading the nation in climate tech
San Francisco's reputation as a leader in clean technology will get another boost on Tuesday when a climate solutions partnership announces the names of more than a dozen entrepreneurs who have been selected to launch sustainability projects to revitalize downtown. Why it matters: Tuesday's announcement, which coincides with Earth Day, comes as thousands of attendees have gathered at SF Climate Week, an annual climate summit taking place until April 27. Driving the news: The Yes SF Urban Sustainability Challenge — an initiative dedicated to building a network of clean tech startups — will announce 12 new "innovators" selected from this year's pool of 200 applicants to participate in a yearlong program that aims to transform downtown. The goal of the program is to create new jobs in the clean economy and use new technologies to help the city meet its ambitious climate goals. The new projects will focus on renewable energy, using environmentally friendly construction materials and resource management. The winners will have access to new funding and other resources to help bring their projects to life, according to Emily Abraham, a spokesperson at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. What they're saying:"This initiative grew very much out of the need to revitalize San Francisco. We believe that we have to invest in these green technologies for a greener future," Abraham said. Catch up quick: The program was launched in 2023 as a partnership between Deloitte, Salesforce, the World Economic Forum, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and more than 20 other organizations calling on entrepreneurs to submit project proposals aimed at breathing new life into the city's core. The program's first-year projects included indoor vertical farms, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and water-conserving shower appliances. The big picture: From rainwater harvesting systems to AI-powered waste management, San Francisco has led the country as a clean tech hub, with hundreds of local companies finding new solutions to address the climate crisis. Zoom in: The city is home to more than 700 climate tech companies and has seen more than $42 billion invested in the industry in the past five years. San Francisco also leads the nation in energy efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint, with climate and transportation plans that have been recognized nationally. The city has credited its progress to more EV adoption and public charging stations, a clean transportation fleet, building electrification efforts and the use of renewable energy to power the city. San Francisco aims to cut emissions 61% below 1990 levels by 2030 and become carbon-neutral by 2040. Zoom out: Globally, the clean tech market has been experiencing a surge in growth and is expected to surpass $2 trillion by 2035, according to a 2024 report from the International Energy Agency.
Axios
27-02-2025
- Business
- Axios
Why SF business leaders and voters reject the doom loop narrative
Is it time to put the doom loop narrative behind us? San Francisco-based businesses and voters say yes. Why it matters: San Francisco has been dogged by perceptions of a downward economic spiral and widespread crime since the start of the pandemic. But people who live and work here appear to believe otherwise. Driving the news: A new study by audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG found that 96% of San Francisco business leaders believe the city is well positioned to attract new talent and businesses, including startups, over the next 12 to 18 months. 91% expressed confidence in the city's economic growth prospects, and 75% said they plan to increase their commercial real estate footprint in the next 12 to 18 months. 88% of survey respondents said San Francisco's talent pool is superior to other regions across the U.S., while 68% plan to up their headcount this year. The fine print: KPMG surveyed 100 executives whose companies have annual revenues of more than $50 million. Smaller businesses, which are often more directly affected by declines in foot traffic and crime incidents, may have different things to say. What they're saying: Last fall marked a shift in attitudes as momentum associated with generative AI progressed to increases in hiring, new leases, and more companies calling employees back into the office, according to Chris Cimino, managing partner of KPMG's San Francisco office. "Then you see more people on the street, which helps the small businesses, the restaurants," Cimino told Axios. "What the data is telling us is that it will continue to build on itself." Between the lines: The findings also revealed many companies' plans for long-term investments, including mergers and acquisitions, that would reverse San Francisco's "relatively quiet market" of the last few years, Cimino noted. "It feels like the spiral [of the doom loop] is going in the other direction," he said. "San Francisco has had its ups and downs, but in my 25 years [here] it's come back stronger every time. That's that optimism we see in the study." The intrigue: The KPMG data reflects a similar optimism among San Francisco voters, per new polling released by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. State of play: Compared with last year, 28% more San Franciscans rate their overall quality of life positively, and there was a five-year high in the number of people who rate the quality of life in their neighborhood as better than the past few years. While voters remain critical on issues like homelessness and public safety, the number of people who say crime has gotten better increased five times compared with 2022. The number of people who say homelessness and street behavior have improved increased by four times. 66% of San Franciscans who report visiting downtown at least monthly say they enjoy visiting downtown, which respondents overwhelmingly want the city to invest in. What we're watching: City government officials have made several moves to address downtown revitalization and public safety, though it's still too early to assess their impact. Those moves include incentivizing office-to-housing conversions downtown, helping restaurants and bars access "low-cost" liquor licenses, cutting some city regulations to combat the fentanyl crisis, and streamlining the permitting process for housing and small businesses. For the record: Preliminary data shows that homicides in San Francisco fell by 31% from 2023 to 2024 amid a drop in overall violent crime.
