Turning PhD Research into a Climate Tech Startup
While working on her PhD titled “Pedestrian thermal comfort mapping for evidence-based urban planning: An interdisciplinary, low-resource, and user-friendly approach” and contributing to the GI-SP project on using satellite data for climate adaptation planning at the IOER, DLGS doctoral candidate Claire Gallacher identified a significant demand for high-resolution ground data on thermal comfort to better support urban planning.
To maximise the transfer potential of her research, Claire developed an interest in entrepreneurship and joined the YETI Dresden program, receiving a scholarship over the last 1.5 years. Through this program, she learned design thinking and transformed her PhD research into a startup idea, leading to the creation of Urban Heat Adapt.
Urban Heat Adapt is dedicated to delivering low-cost, data-driven solutions for climate adaptation. Its mission is to empower urban planners with precise, actionable data for creating effective climate adaptation strategies using user-friendly mobile sensors and a web platform.
In 2025-2026, Claire will receive the InnoStartBonus, a grant from the State of Saxony supporting innovative business ideas in the early phases of development. She is excited to continue bridging the gap between science and practice in her work at the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship.
