At SV2, we partner with early-stage companies that leverage market-based solutions to tackle the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. We look for ventures where technical expertise meets a clear path to global impact. Mexar is an example of this synergy, offering a transformative approach to both health equity and climate adaptation.
Active Cooling for a Warming World
The world faces a rapidly accelerating crisis: the urgent need to protect individuals from the compounding dangers of extreme heat. In the United States alone, extreme heat causes over 2,000 deaths and nearly 200,000 injuries annually, placing millions of outdoor workers at severe risk and costing employers up to $79,000 per incident. Traditional safety measures like makeshift wet towels or mandatory downtime, are inherently passive, disrupt productivity, and fail to provide adequate protection. This issue is particularly acute in the construction industry, where workers face a 13 times higher likelihood of heat-related mortality than in any other sector.
Mexar is changing that. The company’s flagship innovation, the MexarVapor wearable cooling device, actively lowers core body temperature by utilizing high-volume pressurized air flow to deliver evaporative cooling across the entire torso. Weighing less than a single pound, the low-profile and lightweight device seamlessly integrates with existing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Human-Centered Design and Technical Expertise
Mexar’s multidisciplinary team perfectly bridges creative vision and thorough engineering and execution. CEO and Co-founder Roland S. Washington is a seasoned designer and entrepreneur with an extensive track record in medical device commercialization, brand strategy, and creative direction for international clients. He is partnered with CTO and Co-founder Erol Searfoss, a veteran mechanical engineer bringing over 15 years of deep product design and development expertise. Their Chief Design Officer, Chris Chong, is an accomplished design engineer specializing in product innovation. Together, this founding team possesses the technical and market insights required to scale vital climate adaptation technology.
Why Mexar Is an SV2 Fit
For SV2, Mexar stands out for its potential to deliver multifaceted impact across vulnerable communities and industrial operations:
- Health Equity and Social Impact: The vast majority of frontline outdoor workers are low-income and migrant laborers who are disproportionately exposed to climate risks. Mexar directly mitigates health disparities by safeguarding these marginalized and high-risk populations.
- Economic Sustainability: By reducing heat stress, the device actively boosts workplace productivity and reduces the heavy financial burdens associated with job site injuries.
- Environmental Efficiency: Unlike traditional portable AC units that demand a heavy 1.2 kW power load, Mexar’s highly efficient device achieves superior localized cooling using a mere 6W of power.
We are thrilled to partner with Roland and the entire Mexar team as they work to accelerate worker safety and build a more resilient future.