Scalable Heat Resilience

Eztia

Scalable Heat Resilience

Eztia develops advanced cooling materials that reduce body temperature without electricity, providing reliable heat relief in extreme environments.

San Francisco, CA, USA

USA

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

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Heat stress is an escalating global crisis driven by rising temperatures and extreme weather. It disproportionately impacts labor-intensive sectors like construction, agriculture, and mining - causing heat-related illness, reduced productivity, and fatalities. Over 2.4 billion workers, or 70% of the global workforce, are regularly exposed to excessive heat, leading to 23 million injuries and 18,00 deaths each year. Global economic losses from heat-induced labor decline are estimated at $863 billion USD annually. Low-and middle-income countries lose 6.1% and 3.8% of GDP, respectively, due to decreased productivity. In Southeast Asia 13 million jobs have been lost to heat stress. In Singapore alone, heat caused an 11.3% reduction in working time across key sectors in 2018, with losses totaling S$1.18 billion. By 20235, this is expected to rise to S$2.2 billion. Each hot day results in a median income loss of S$21 per worker - about 24% of daily wages. Air conditioning, the dominant solution, serves fewer than one-third of households globally and contributes 4% of global GHG emissions. It’s also cost prohibitive, limiting access to those who need it most. As climate change accelerates, it is critical to invest in affordable, energy-efficient, and scalable cooling solutions to protect health, livelihoods, and economic stability worldwide.

Eztia has developed energy-efficient cooling wearables that protect people from extreme heat—without the need for electricity, batteries, or refrigeration. At the heart of our innovation is HydraVolt™, a proprietary, water-based polymer gel that provides high-performance evaporative cooling. By absorbing body heat, HydraVolt lowers skin temperature by up to 10°C for 6–8 hours, offering reliable, portable relief in even the most extreme environments. HydraVolt™ is a flexible, skin-conforming gel composed of base polymers, embedded liquids, and specialized additives. Its porous, three-dimensional matrix enables sustained, passive cooling and is engineered for integration into apparel, gear, or direct-to-skin wearables. Eztia’s flagship products include the Arctic Wrap (a torso band), a cooling base layer shirt, and a cooling headband. Each is available in two forms: (1) garments with HydraVolt printed directly onto the fabric and (2) garments with pockets for reusable HydraVolt gel inserts. After 6–8 hours of use, HydraVolt is recharged simply by soaking the inserts in water for 10–20 minutes or machine-washing the printed garments. Once rehydrated, it’s ready for another full cooling cycle. HydraVolt is reusable for up to 3 months and requires no power, making it an ideal solution for off-grid, low-resource, or high-heat environments.

Eztia’s HydraVolt™ technology is designed for those most at risk from extreme heat—outdoor workers and people in low-resource communities—by delivering electricity-free, wearable cooling that works anywhere. In industries like construction and agriculture, where heat-related deaths and injuries are disproportionately high, HydraVolt protects against heat stress, it improves worker safety, prevents illness, and sustains productivity on job sites increasingly affected by rising temperatures. Critically, HydraVolt serves communities without access to air conditioning or reliable electricity. It recharges using just water—no power, batteries, or refrigeration needed—making it ideal for off-grid, rural, or informal work settings. Whether worn as a cooling shirt, Arctic Wrap torso band, or headband, the material is reusable for up to three months and seamlessly integrates with existing clothing and gear. As climate change intensifies, the people most exposed to heat are often those with the fewest resources. Eztia offers a practical, scalable, and sustainable solution to protect livelihoods and health in the world’s hottest and most underserved environments—bridging the gap in climate adaptation for workers and vulnerable populations alike.