Category: <span>RT3</span>

Category: RT3

Creating a Zero-Waste Roofing Industry

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RT3 member Joanna Rodriguez, CEO of Mycocycle, featured for her efforts to eliminate waste in roofing.

With 14 million tons of asphalt shingles hitting landfills each year, Joanne Rodriguez knew that she needed to do something to end this cycle of waste. In a Q&A interview with Roofing & Exteriors, Joanne shared, “When you remove a roof, you have a lot of trash, not just any trash, but construction and demolition debris. Until now, the roofing industry and other asphalt and chemical manufacturers have not been able to achieve zero-waste because the products manufactured were ultimately contaminated with toxic constituents.”

Her company, Mycocycle, uses the science of mushrooms to remove toxins from the waste. The resulting bioproduct is something that can be used in the manufacture of new materials. Through Mycocycle’s process the company addresses the concerns of how to dispose of construction material and how to stay chemically compliant.

The company also makes a huge impact on the environment. “We help lower greenhouse gasses related to waste management activities by almost 3 metric tons of CO2 emissions for every 1 ton of waste diverted. This is how we are disrupting the roofing and construction industries,” explained Joanne during the Q&A.

See the full interview here.

About Mycocycle

Mycocycle, Inc. was founded in October 2018. It is a woman-owned, early stage cleantech company using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste. Mycocycle was recognized as a Finalist in FastCompany’s “2020 World Changing Ideas” Awards issue, a presenter for NREL’s 2020 Industry Growth Forum, a 2020 Innovation selection in the EPA’s Innovation and America Recycle’s Fair, and the winner of the Cleantech Open National 2020 Resiliency Challenge.  Mycocycle has been named a 2021 Illinois Qualified New Business Venture under the Angel Investment Tax Credit Program. This program provides Illinois-based investors a state tax credit of 25 percent of their investment up to $2 million. For more information visit www.mycocycle.com.

RT3 Member Mycocycle Named a Finalist for 1871 Momentum Award as an Industry Disrupter

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The 1871 Momentum Awards is the celebration of tech innovation in Chicago.

Mycocycle, Inc., a leader in using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste, was named a finalist for 1871’s Momentum Award in the Industry Disrupter category. The award is presented to a company that has developed or introduced an ingenious, non-traditional, and innovative product or service that has significantly disrupted the industry.

“Having participated in the LatinX+IHCC Incubator at 1871 as one of my very first organizational experiences as a startup, I am delighted to be in contention for this award,” said Joanne Rodriguez, Mycocycle founder and CEO. “It is an exciting time to have a growing company in Chicago and the Midwest. The startup ecosystem is supportive, passionate, and always serves as a source of inspiration for me. We look forward to participating in the 2021 Momentum Awards and can’t wait to celebrate with all of our fellow founders!”

“The finalists for this year’s Industry Disrupter Award are leading the path forward through ingenuity and determination, and we’re thrilled to include Mycocycle among this impressive group,” said 1871 CEO Betsy Ziegler. “Their innovative solutions are transforming old waste practices into eco-friendly market opportunities and building a necessary picture of a potential world without waste. We wish them the best of luck as voting begins.”

The 14th annual 1871 Momentum Awards celebrate tech innovation in Chicago, recognizing outstanding CEOs, rising stars and game-changing companies across seven different award categories. Award winners are chosen through a combination of scores from 1871 judges and public votes. Voting opens August 16 and runs through September 1. Winners will be announced on September 23 at a hybrid awards ceremony.

Place your vote for Mycocycle at https://app.reviewr.com/s1/showcase//Momentum-21.  

About Mycocycle

Mycocycle, Inc. was founded in October 2018. It is a woman-owned, early stage cleantech company using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste. Mycocycle was recognized as a Finalist in FastCompany’s “2020 World Changing Ideas” Awards issue, a presenter for NREL’s 2020 Industry Growth Forum, a 2020 Innovation selection in the EPA’s Innovation and America Recycle’s Fair, and the winner of the Cleantech Open National 2020 Resiliency Challenge.  Mycocycle has been named a 2021 Illinois Qualified New Business Venture under the Angel Investment Tax Credit Program. This program provides Illinois-based investors a state tax credit of 25 percent of their investment up to $2 million. For more information visit www.mycocycle.com.

About 1871

1871 exists to inspire, equip, and support the early stage, growth stage, and corporate innovators that are building extraordinary businesses in their communities. We are the convenor of changemakers, bringing together the right resources, support, and connections that drive growth for businesses across the entire maturity curve, from idea to Fortune 50. Our community is rooted in Chicago with a reach that spans the globe, with over 1,500 members and an expansive network of mentors, corporate sponsors, university partners, VCs, alumni, and policymakers. Learn more at www.1871.com.  

RT3 Plans Activities Around the 2021 International Roofing Expo

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July 28, 2021 –- Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced activities scheduled for the International Roofing Expo (IRE) 2021.

Boxabl, a housing technology startup based in Las Vegas, Nevada will host RT3 members. to tour their new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Company executives will share their vision behind their Boxabl Casita, a 375-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit that is delivered with a full-size bathroom, kitchen, appliances and tall ceilings with big windows for under $50,000.

RT3 will also host an educational panel on Wednesday, August 10 at 7:45 a.m. The session is titled: Roadmapto end the paper trail and make your business 100% digital. It features four contractors sharing their successes and challenges with implementing technology to take their businesses to the cloud.

The panel will be moderated by RT3 member Heidi Ellsworth, Partner at RoofersCoffeeShop® and attendees will be able to:

  • Understand the first steps to taking a business digital
  • Learn from the mistakes made by others to ensure a smoother process
  • Hear tips on how to get the rest of the team on board
  • See what different solutions work for residential and commercial companies

The panel participants include RT3 contractor members Steve Little, President of KPOST Roofing and Waterproofing; Ken Kelly, President of Kelly Roofing; Curtis Sutton, CEO of Rackley Roofing; and Wendy Marvin, owner of Matrix Roofing.  

“The contractors on the panel are committed to helping their peers find success taking their businesses to an all-digital operation,” stated Karen Edwards, RT3 Director. “They share how they got started, pitfalls to watch out for, budget and tips for team success.”

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About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com. 

RT3 Members Kelly Roofing and Reliant Roofing Announce Partnership

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Naples, FL. – Kelly Roofing, a Naples-based roofing company, announced today that on June 25, 2021, they formed a strategic and financial partnership with Reliant Roofing. Based in Jacksonville, FL, Reliant is a specialized residential and commercial roofing contractor who also installs solar systems and hurricane shutter protection.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Sean Shapiro, Cameron Shouppe and the talented team at Reliant,” said Ken Kelly, President of Kelly Roofing. “The combination of our businesses will expand our presence across the state of Florida and help us in our goal of creating the premier residential roofing company in our geography. We welcome Reliant and their clients to the Kelly Roofing family.”

“As we continued to build Reliant, it was critical for us to find a partner with similar aspirations in both growth and quality of service,” said Sean Shapiro and Cameron Shouppe of Reliant. “Kelly Roofing is the perfect fit for Reliant and we look forward to growing the combined business alongside their team.”

Kelly Roofing is a family-owned company, serving South Florida since 1972. They have helped over 60,000 roof owners save money and live a worry-free life. As the 2019 Roofing Contractor of the year, Kelly Roofing understands how to eliminate the stress of unexpected roof costs. All Kelly Roofing employees live by the core values of Care, Communicate and Consistency, allowing them to provide outstanding workmanship using the most advanced methods. To learn more about Kelly Roofing, go to www.kellyroofing.com.

RT3 members team up to talk bi-directional API technology

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Join RT3 members JOBBA and RoofersCoffeeShop on June 30, 2021 at 2 p.m. as they team up for a webinar to discuss bi-directional API technology and how streamlined workflows can help contractors get their software to work for them.

Register today

With so much new technology and software applications out there to help, it is easy to end up with a system that is siloed and unconnected. Copying data from one system to another can take hours and cause delays, errors and ultimately affect the bottom line.

Scott Keith, Eugene Zukowski and Steven White from Jobba will help us understand API Technology and how to customize these systems to work for your business.  They will walk us through some of Jobba’s essential software tools as well as updated functions to the platform.  

Join us for a discussion on how their contractor-driven approach streamlined the workflow process and gets software to work for you. Jobba is more than a roofing CRM that helps you optimize your business; they seek partners who work with you to ensure you are getting the most out of your investment.  

This RLW will touch on the latest API, how essential it is to customize functions and tools around the customer, updated functions and Jobba customer support. You won’t want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn how to get the most out of your software and painlessly unify your data on one powerful platform. 

Register now for this RLW to learn API technology, customizing systems that work for your business and how to unify your data.  

Roofing Technology Think Tank Announces Two New Board Members

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The board supports the RT3 mission and leads the organization in its efforts to educate and advance technology in the roofing industry.

June 16, 2021 –- Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, elected Andy Centauro of Elmer W. Davis, Inc., Rochester New York and John Kenney of Cotney Attorneys and Consultants, Tampa, Florida to fill two openings on the board of directors.

“We are very excited to welcome Andy and John to the board,” said Karen Edwards, RT3 director. “They have both been longtime active members of RT3 and will help us continue to be the voice of technology in the roofing industry.”

RT3 would also like to extend its gratitude to Heidi Ellsworth of HJE Consulting and RoofersCoffeeShop® and Ryan Groth of Sales Transformation Group for their contribution to the organization. “Heidi and Ryan contributed tremendously to the growth of the organization and the two will stay actively involved with Ryan continuing to host the RT3 podcast and Heidi as an active member of the meetups task team,” said Edwards.

Other board members include:
• Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited
• Brad Beldon, Chief Culture Officer and CEO of Beldon Roofing
• Wendy Marvin, CEO of Matrix Roofing & Home Solutions
• Tom Whitaker, President of Harness Software

The think tank meets six times a year, four virtual and two live with a focus on learning about new and emerging technologies. Past live meetings have been held at innovative locations that help educate the group on progressive technologies that can make a difference in the roofing industry, including 3M Innovation Center and Roofing Granule Lab, OMG Roofing Products, Vanderbilt Wond’ry, Microsoft Innovation Lab, Georgia Tech, BuiltWorlds and the U.S. Capitol.

The next live meetup is planned for the UNLV Solar Decathlon project prior to the start of the International Roofing Expo (IRE). Following the meetup, RT3 contractor members will be participating in a panel at the 2021 IRE to share tips and information to other contractors about the journey of taking a roofing business digital and ending the paper trail.

Stay up to date with RT3 news and events by signing up for the RT3 SmartBrief newsletter at www.rt3thinktank.com.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry. RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses. With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

RT3 member Mycocycle announces it has joined The REMADE® Institute

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REMADE is the only national institute focused entirely on the development of innovative technologies to accelerate the U.S.’s transition to a Circular Economy.

Mycocycle, Inc., a leader in using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste, announced today that it has become a member of The REMADE Institute, a public-private partnership established by the United States Department of Energy.  

“It was important for Mycocycle to become a member of The REMADE Institute because our core values are aligned,” explained Mycocycle CEO and Founder Joanne Rodriguez. “As we continue to imagine a world without waste, the development of platforms that explore new uses for our waste streams is vital. Through the collaboration of industry, academia, and national labs we know we will get further faster.

Mycocycle has already joined forces with some of the REMADE members to tackle new opportunities around waste streams within the healthcare system. “We are excited about opportunities to work with all of the thought leaders represented through REMADE Institute focused on driving systemic changes in industrial processes which will result in lowering our carbon emissions now and in the future,” concluded Rodriguez.

About Mycocycle

Mycocycle, Inc. was founded in October 2018. It is a woman-owned, early stage cleantech company using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste. Mycocycle was recognized as a Finalist in Fast Company’s 2020 and 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards issue, a presenter for NREL’s 2020 Industry Growth Forum, a 2020 Innovation selection in the EPA’s Innovation and America Recycle’s Fair, and the winner of the Cleantech Open National 2020 Resiliency Challenge.  Mycocycle has been named a 2021 Illinois Qualified New Business Venture under the Angel Investment Tax Credit Program. This program provides Illinois-based investors a state tax credit of 25 percent of their investment up to $2 million.

For more information visit www.mycocycle.com.

About REMADE

Founded in 2017, REMADE is a Manufacturing USA™ Institute and public-private partnership established by the U.S. Department of Energy. REMADE is the only national institute focused entirely on the development of innovative technologies to accelerate the U.S.’s transition to a Circular Economy. In partnership with industry, academia, and national laboratories, REMADE enables early-stage applied research and development that will create jobs, dramatically reduce embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the supply and use of recycled materials. The cumulative, five-year embodied energy savings, greenhouse gas reduction and increase in recycled materials use expected to result from REMADE’s investment is approximately 1 Quad of energy, about 50 million metric tons of CO2equivalent greenhouse gas reduction, and more than a 40 million metric tons per year increase in the supply and use of recycled materials, respectively. For additional information about REMADE, visit www.remadeinstitute.org.

Mycocycle Selected as Finalist in Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas

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The 5th annual awards honor the products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that are pursuing innovation for the good of society and the planet.

(Bolingbrook, Illinois) May 4, 2021 – Mycocycle, Inc., a leader in using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste, announced today that it has been named a finalist in the Best World Changing Idea North America and On The Rise categories as part of the 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards.

Now in its fifth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 33 winners, more than 400 finalists, and more than 800 honorable mentions—with Health and Wellness, AI & Data among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 4,000 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, and more. Plus, several new categories were added, including Pandemic Response, Urban Design, and Architecture. The 2021 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Brazil to Denmark to Vietnam.

“We are honored to be recognized by Fast Company as a company that is creating solutions that are good for the environment,” said Joanne Rodriguez, Mycocycle founder and CEO. “Mycocycle’s vision is to create new circular economies that transform environmentally unstable processes into financially viable material opportunities. Mushrooms will change the way we manage and use waste now and in the future.”

Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company said, “There is no question our society and planet are facing deeply troubling times. So, it’s important to recognize organizations that are using their ingenuity, impact, design, scalability, and passion to solve these problems.”

About Mycocycle

Mycocycle, Inc. was founded in October 2018. It is a woman-owned, early stage cleantech company using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste. Mycocycle was recognized as a Finalist in Fast Company’s 2020 and 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards issue, a presenter for NREL’s 2020 Industry Growth Forum, a 2020 Innovation selection in the EPA’s Innovation and America Recycle’s Fair, and the winner of the Cleantech Open National 2020 Resiliency Challenge.  Mycocycle has been named a 2021 Illinois Qualified New Business Venture under the Angel Investment Tax Credit Program. This program provides Illinois-based investors a state tax credit of 25 percent of their investment up to $2 million.

For more information visit www.mycocycle.com.

About the World Changing Ideas Awards

World Changing Ideas is one of Fast Company’s major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

Roofing Technology Think Tank Opens Nominations for 2021 Innovator of the Year Award

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The award recognizes a roofing contractor who has demonstrated a commitment to technology and the advancement of the roofing industry.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced that it has opened the nomination period for the 2021 Innovator of the Year Award.

This award was created to nationally recognize a roofing contractor that has contributed to the advancement of the roofing industry through technical innovation and/or product development in one of the following areas:

  • Production/Technology Efficiency
  • Safety Innovation
  • Client Service/Quality of Delivery 
  • Employee Recruitment/Training/Retention
  • Environmental Impact

Award judging criteria will be based on innovation, results, design and strategy.

The 2021 recipient will be announced at the Best of Success conference, September 19-21, 2021 at the Omni Hotel in Frisco, Texas. To be eligible, a roofing contractor must be licensed and bonded for a minimum of five years and have a minimum $5 million in annual revenue. They also must be a member of a professional industry association and be able to cite community enrichment ties through support of non-profits or company culture programs.

Previous winners include Scott Riopelle of Denver, Colorado-based Interstate Roofing (2020) and Curtis Sutton of Carthage, Tennessee-based Rackley Roofing (2019). 

For more information and to submit an award application visit https://rt3thinktank.com/award/. There is a $50 nomination fee to cover processing and award costs. The nomination period closes July 31, 2021.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. www.rt3thinktank.com.