NEW YORK, NY -- Scope Zero, creators of the Carbon Savings Account™ for home technology and personal transportation upgrades, recently gained additional funding from HearstLab, an investment arm of Hearst Corporation focused exclusively on supporting and scaling women-led technology startups.

The Carbon Savings Account™ (CSA) increases the affordability and accessibility of home technology and personal transportation upgrades that reduce employees’ utility bills, fuel spend, and carbon footprint. The CSA lowers the upfront costs of upgrades with employer matches and referral discounts from vendors on CSA’s marketplace. For employers, the CSA measures, reports, and facilitates awareness and reduction of “Scope 3” work-from-home and commute emissions.

In the U.S., residential energy consumption and personal vehicle use emit a combined 2.3 billion tons of carbon each year. Scope Zero’s mission is to reduce US residential utility bills and personal fuel spend by $300 billion per year and remove the emissions equivalent of 150 million cars from the road.

Scope Zero previously won a $100,000 investment from HearstLab at their San Antonio pitch event for female founders, Pitch HearstLab Texas, as a part of San Antonio Startup Week in October. This second investment not only supplies Scope Zero with additional funding, but also unlocks more expansive access to support services from HearstLab and Hearst’s 360+ business divisions.

 

Scope Zero’s Co-founder and CEO Lizzy Kolar holds a master’s degree in sustainable design engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University. Lizzy developed her expertise in residential utility consumption as an engineer at Ameresco, where she designed cost-effective energy and water efficiency upgrades for military base housing across the U.S. Co-founder and COO Kaitlin Highstreet also holds a master’s degree in sustainable design engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in business economics from UCLA. Kaitlin developed her expertise in employee benefits working in operations at Guideline, a 401(k) fintech startup.

“This collaboration with HearstLab is a significant step in advancing our mission of enhancing financial and environmental wellness for both individuals and corporations,” said Highstreet. “We’re thrilled to work with the HearstLab team, and we are grateful for their immense support.”

 

“Having worked with Lizzy and Scope Zero through both Pitch HearstLabU and Pitch HearstLab Texas, our conviction has only grown stronger that this is a brilliant team building a much-needed solution,” said Lisa Burton, VP of HearstLab. “Lizzy and Kaitlin are bridging environmental awareness and financial health in a way that's a win for employees, employers, and the planet.”

Scope Zero created the Carbon Savings Account™ (CSA). Think health savings account, but for home technology and personal transportation upgrades that foster employee financial wellness and corporate ESG. For employees, the CSA increases the affordability and accessibility of upgrades that reduce their utility bills, fuel spend, and carbon footprint. The CSA lowers the upfront costs of upgrades with employer matches and referral discounts from CSA marketplace vendors. For employers, the CSA measures, reports, and reduces scope 3 work-from-home and commute emissions. The CSA addresses the annual 2.3 billion tons of carbon emissions from U.S. residential energy consumption and personal vehicle use. Learn more at Scope-Zero.com.

HearstLab provides cash investments and services to early-stage, women-led startups innovating across fintech, data analytics, health, transportation, enterprise technology and media. Its mission is to close the gap in VC funding for women by helping founders build sustainable and highly scalable businesses. With access to Hearst resources across 360+ businesses, HearstLab’s breadth of services includes assistance with privacy and security, software development, legal services, financial analysis, and marketing and design support. To learn more about HearstLab, visit HearstLab.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.