Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets, systems, or cities—are no longer a concept reserved for sci-fi. They’re here, they’re changing industries, and a few trailblazing startups are leading the charge. These companies are harnessing technologies like IoT, AI, and blockchain to bring their digital twin solutions to life, all while addressing key challenges in sectors ranging from manufacturing to urban planning. Even better? These startups are female-founded, adding a much-needed dose of representation to the tech space. Let’s dive into the stories of three funded startups transforming the digital twin landscape.
Veridia: Revolutionizing Smart Cities
When Maya Jackson started Veridia, her goal was ambitious: to make smart cities smarter. Armed with a background in urban planning and a vision for a more connected future, Jackson and her team developed a digital twin platform that integrates IoT, edge computing, and real-time data to model entire urban environments.
Veridia’s flagship product, CityTwin, provides municipalities with a real-time digital replica of their infrastructure, from traffic patterns to energy usage. The platform uses predictive maintenance algorithms to foresee when critical infrastructure might fail, saving cities millions in repair costs. By incorporating blockchain, Veridia ensures that all city data is securely stored and easily auditable—a key factor in gaining public trust.
One of Veridia’s standout projects was a pilot program with Seattle. The city used CityTwin to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion during rush hours, cutting commute times by 15% and lowering emissions in the process. Thanks to this success, Veridia recently closed a $10 million Series A funding round, led by female-focused venture firm BBG Ventures. Source: Veridia’s CityTwin
EcoSphere: Sustainability in Every Layer
Founded by environmental scientist Dr. Priya Malhotra, EcoSphere is a digital twin startup with a mission to drive sustainability in manufacturing. Dr. Malhotra’s frustration with wasteful industrial practices led her to create EcoSphere, which offers digital twin solutions that simulate production lines, enabling manufacturers to identify inefficiencies and minimize waste.
EcoSphere’s software integrates phase change materials (PCMs) and IoT devices to create real-time models of factory environments. AI-powered simulations allow companies to test different production scenarios, optimizing energy use and reducing material waste by up to 30%. With its sustainability-first ethos, EcoSphere’s tools are particularly popular among companies looking to meet stringent ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria.
Recently, EcoSphere partnered with a major North American food manufacturer to optimize its packaging lines. The result? A 25% reduction in energy consumption and a significant drop in material waste. Investors took notice, and EcoSphere closed a $12 million Series B funding round last year, with support from Forerunner Ventures. Source: EcoSphere
TwinForm: Transforming Building Maintenance
TwinForm, founded by engineer and entrepreneur Sabrina Reyes, is making waves in the building maintenance sector. After spending years in the construction industry, Reyes saw how reactive maintenance practices often led to costly repairs and downtime. Her solution? A digital twin platform that leverages AI and real-time data for predictive maintenance.
TwinForm’s software creates a detailed digital twin of buildings, integrating data from IoT sensors to monitor everything from HVAC performance to structural integrity. Its predictive maintenance features have saved clients millions by identifying potential issues before they become problems. TwinForm also incorporates virtual reality (VR) tools, allowing facility managers to “walk through” their buildings in a virtual space to diagnose issues remotely.
One of TwinForm’s standout projects involved partnering with a leading healthcare provider to create a digital twin for a network of hospitals. The system flagged potential HVAC failures, preventing costly shutdowns and ensuring patient safety. This success story helped TwinForm secure a $15 million Series A round, with female-led venture fund Halogen Ventures taking the lead. Source: TwinForm
The Bigger Picture: Why Digital Twins Matter
Digital twins are no longer a nice-to-have; they’re a must-have for industries seeking to optimize operations, reduce waste, and prepare for a connected future. From Veridia’s smart city solutions to EcoSphere’s sustainability tools and TwinForm’s predictive maintenance platform, these startups are proving that digital twin technology can be both innovative and impactful.
Female founders like Maya Jackson, Dr. Priya Malhotra, and Sabrina Reyes are not just shaping the digital twin space—they’re redefining it. By combining technological prowess with a commitment to solving real-world problems, they’re setting a high bar for what’s possible in this rapidly evolving field.
As digital twin technology continues to grow, it’s exciting to imagine how these startups—and others—will push the boundaries of what’s possible. One thing’s for sure: the future is digital, and it’s being built by some incredible innovators.
Sources : Veridia’s CityTwin, EcoSphere, TwinForm, BBG Ventures, Forerunner Ventures, Halogen Ventures, Digital Twin Trends by XR Today, Smart Cities and Digital Twins by CitiesABC, Blockchain in Digital Twins, IoT and Digital Twins by MDPI.