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Vince Romanin

CEO at Gradient

Vince Romanin is the CEO and co-founder of Gradient, a clean technology startup focused on revolutionizing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. He has a strong academic background, holding a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, where he specialized in heat transfer. His career began with roles in research and development, including positions at Otherlab and Abengoa, before he co-founded Gradient in 2017, originally under the name Treau.134

Professional Background

  • Current Position: CEO of Gradient (since May 2021)
  • Previous Positions:
    • CEO of Treau (April 2017 - July 2021)
    • Research and Development Engineer at Otherlab (September 2014 - April 2019)
    • Junior Researcher at Abengoa (May 2013 - September 2014)
    • Research Engineer and Graduate Student Researcher at UC Berkeley (2008 - 2013)

Mission and Innovations

Gradient aims to decarbonize HVAC systems by developing innovative products like a user-installable window-mounted heat pump that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company's mission is to create healthier and more comfortable living environments while addressing climate change challenges.235 Romanin describes himself as a "thermo-nerd," driven by a passion for engineering solutions that enhance environmental sustainability.45

Recognition

Under his leadership, Gradient has received accolades for its innovative approach to HVAC technology, including being named one of TIME Magazine's best inventions of 2022 and winning several awards for its contributions to sustainable living.34

Romanin's work reflects a commitment to merging climate adaptation with mitigation strategies, aiming to make zero-carbon HVAC systems accessible and effective for consumers.25

Highlights

Nov 17 · linkedin

Thrilled to share that Gradient has been awarded a $17.5M grant under the Defense Production Act, a significant recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy. This award is a major milestone for us, highlighting our dedication to innovative, accessible, and sustainable solutions in the clean energy sector.

Here's what sets Gradient apart:

📌 Commitment to American manufacturing: Our DPA win is a testament to our efforts in creating American jobs and driving forward clean energy technologies. It's about building a sustainable future right here in the U.S.

📌 Prioritizing equity: At the core of our mission is ensuring that our heat pumps are accessible, particularly in communities most affected by climate change. Our work, including our collaboration with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) in New York to install our systems in public housing, exemplifies our commitment to making a tangible difference while significantly reducing the costs and complexities of retrofitting older buildings.

📌 Enhancing daily comfort: We're not just about electrification. Our focus is on enhancing quality of life with more reliable, more efficient, and more comfortable systems, so that we have both happy people and a happy climate.

Our journey has been bolstered by essential federal and state programs like the LEEP Fellowship, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) SBIR/STTR Programs, California Energy Commission, NYSERDA, our amazing investors, our incredibly talented & hardworking team, and most importantly our customers and users. The recent influx of support from the IRA positions us to expand our impact even further.

As we prepare for upcoming installations and new projects, the sense of urgency and optimism at Gradient is stronger than ever. This DPA award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) equips us to accelerate our mission and impact.

Excited to continue on this path, making a positive difference, one heat pump at a time.

#TeamGradient #CleanEnergy #climatetech #heatpumps #heatpumpsDPA #energyindependence #buildingdecarbonization

https://lnkd.in/gFCDS6bi

Dec 10 · linkedin

Amazing profile of Erica Hennes, CRO at Gradient!

Hear what it takes to be a strong leader in a post-pandemic world, and how Erica learned "that there are no rules, only patterns and traditions."

We're fortunate to have you fighting for the planet, Erica!

Related Questions

What inspired Vince Romanin to start Gradient?
How does Gradient's heat pump technology work?
What are the main challenges Vince Romanin faces as CEO of Gradient?
How has Vince Romanin's background in engineering influenced his leadership style?
What makes Gradient's approach to HVAC different from traditional methods?
Vince Romanin
Vince Romanin, photo 1
Vince Romanin, photo 2
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Location

San Francisco, California, United States