Smart Surfaces Coalition
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Smart Surfaces Coalition firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smart Surfaces Coalition
- Legal name
- Smart Surfaces Coalition
- Website
- https://smartsurfacescoalition.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Smart Surfaces Coalition is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Smart Surfaces Coalition business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Funding and Grants: The Smart Surfaces Coalition operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by foundations including Waverley Street Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, JPB Foundation, Hollomon Price Foundation, and others. The coalition provides all publications, reports, and studies freely and promptly available to the general public.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free access to all tools, resources, and advisory services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Smart Surfaces Coalition product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Smart Surfaces Coalition provides city governments, airports, and public-sector practitioners with free tools, training, and advisory services to quantify and deploy Smart Surface technologies (cool/green roofs, trees, solar PV, reflective and porous pavements, bioswales, low-carbon concrete). Deliverables include the Benefit-Cost Analytic Tool, the Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker, geospatial analysis, micrometeorological heat modeling, and customized implementation support for partner cities in the U.S. and India.
Product overview
The Smart Surfaces Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing an integrated suite of products and initiatives focused on urban heat mitigation and Smart Surface adoption. The core portfolio includes the Benefit-Cost Analytic Tool (BCAT) — a free web-based tool for cities to model Smart Surface adoption scenarios — along with the Smart Surfaces Guidebook and Smart Sidewalks Guidebook developed with Carnegie Mellon University. The Coalition also provides the Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker database (built with Sabin Center at Columbia) and the CarbonStar concrete carbon standard. These tools support the Coalition's initiatives including Cities for Smart Surfaces (partnering with 10 U.S. cities), the Cool Roadways Partnership, the Peer Learning Network (100+ cities), and India operations (partnered with TERI). Advisory services are offered for airports and major infrastructure projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Benefit-Cost Analytic Tool (BCAT) Free online tool that enables cities to model costs and benefits of Smart Surface adoption by inputting desired adoption levels for each surface type and viewing associated financial, health, and environmental outcomes.
- Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker Searchable online database of 2,000+ Smart Surface policies from all 50 U.S. states, allowing policymakers to filter by surface type, jurisdiction size, climate zone, and access best-practice and model policy language.
- Smart Surfaces Guidebook Decision-making guidebook for city policymakers that introduces the Smart Surfaces Taxonomy categorizing roofs, streets, sidewalks, and parking lots by reflectivity and permeability, with case studies and investment scenarios.
- Smart Sidewalks Guidebook Guidebook for city policymakers on sidewalk investments that introduces a Smart Sidewalk Taxonomy integrating green infrastructure, grey infrastructure, electric utilities, and underground systems to address urban heat, flooding, and EV charging infrastructure.
- Cities for Smart Surfaces Three-year initiative partnering with 10 U.S. cities to facilitate Smart Surface adoption at the municipal level, providing satellite imagery analysis, heat modeling, staff training, benefit-cost tools, funding guidance, and policy research database access.
- Cool Roadways Partnership Peer learning network for municipalities, researchers, and organizations to share insights on cool pavement projects through quarterly meetings, manufacturer engagement, and procurement specification standards development.
- Peer Learning Network Free membership network of 100+ public sector urban infrastructure practitioners across U.S. cities and counties, providing curated resources, grant templates, product databases, bi-monthly meetings, and Policy Help Desk access for Smart Surface adoption.
- CarbonStar First binational standard for quantifying the carbon intensity of concrete, enabling standardized measurement and comparison of concrete's carbon impact to support low-carbon construction decisions.
- Smart Surfaces in India (SSC India) India-focused program addressing extreme heat through Smart Surface adoption, partnering with TERI in Bhopal (first South Asian city with citywide Smart Surfaces data) and the Government of Indore, with additional engagement in Uttar Pradesh state.
- Smart Surfaces Advisory Services (e.g., SFO Airport) Customized infrastructure advisory services for airports, municipalities, and government entities, including micrometeorological modeling, customized Cost-Benefit Analytic Tool development, and recommendations for paving and roofing materials.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5°F citywide summer cooling
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Smart Surfaces Coalition
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Smart Surfaces Coalition technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Smart Surfaces Coalition partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Shirley RodriguescoreFormer London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy joined SSC Advisory Board. World leader in city-scale climate action, implemented London's Ultra Low Emission Zone and 1.5°C-aligned Climate Action Plan.
- National League of CitiescoreCore coalition partner and fiscal sponsor. National League of Cities represents municipal governments and provides policy expertise and city network access.
- American Public Health Association (APHA)coreCore coalition partner and fiscal sponsor. APHA brings public health expertise and launched a grant program to create cooler, healthier cities.
- World Resources Institute (WRI)coreCore coalition partner providing data analysis, research support, and global sustainability expertise for Smart Surface implementations.
- Trust for Public LandcoreCore coalition partner providing expertise in parks, public lands, and urban green space implementation.
- The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)coreIndia partner leading Smart Surfaces implementation in Bhopal and other Indian cities. TERI provides local expertise and research capabilities for India initiative.
- Carnegie Mellon University - Center for Building Performance and DiagnosticscoreDeveloped Smart Surfaces Guidebook and Smart Sidewalks Guidebook for city policymakers as decision-making resources.
- American Lung AssociationcoreCore coalition partner creating video content on Smart Surfaces health benefits. Program partner for Cities for Smart Surfaces initiative.
- Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia UniversitycorePartnered to develop Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker, a searchable database of policies from all 50 states. Collaborated on regulatory mapping initiative.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthcoreCore coalition partner. C-Change initiative and health leads for India research collaboration on heat-related health impacts.
- Cool Roof Rating CouncilcoreCore coalition partner providing expertise on cool roof standards and product performance testing.
- Lawrence Berkeley National LabcorePartnered on United States Cool Surfaces Deployment Plan with U.S. Department of Energy support.
- African American Mayors Association (AAMA)coreFirst-of-its-kind collaboration announced July 2025 to encourage Black mayors to implement climate response strategies in U.S. cities.
- Federation of American Scientists (FAS)coreCo-signed 2025 Heat Policy Agenda with 60+ organizations. Partnership on federal policy agenda for tackling extreme heat.
- National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)coreCore coalition partner representing state energy officials and providing policy expertise.
- WaterNow AlliancecoreCore coalition partner providing expertise on water management and stormwater solutions.
- Altostratus, Inc.coreTechnology partner for data analysis tools in Cities for Smart Surfaces initiative, providing geospatial analysis capabilities.
- Open TechnologiescoreTechnology partner for data analysis tools in Cities for Smart Surfaces initiative.
- Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)coreIndia partner providing health expertise. Dr. K. Srinath Reddy serves as health lead for India Smart Surfaces project.
- Dentons (Global Law Firm)coreGlobal law firm providing pro bono legal services as part of regulatory mapping initiative to accelerate Smart Surfaces adoption.
- New Buildings InstitutecorePartnered on 2024 IECC proposal for code change. Provided technical expertise for building energy codes.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Smart Surfaces Coalition competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- World Resources Institute (WRI): A global research organization that produces data, tools, and policy guidance on climate, cities, and sustainability. Comparable as a coalition partner and research-driven nonprofit, with substantially larger scale and broader mandate than SSC.
- C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: A global network of mayors of the world's leading cities addressing climate change. Comparable as a cities-focused climate coalition, though much larger in scale and broader in mandate, and even hosts the Cool Cities Accelerator that links to SSC's domain.
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): The nonprofit behind LEED and related green building standards, with deep engagement on cool roofs, green roofs, and sustainable sites. Comparable as a coalition-style nonprofit driving building/surface standards, but anchored in certification programs rather than direct city advisory work.
- Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy: The largest global alliance of city leaders committed to climate action, serving a similar municipal audience and overlapping on heat and resilience topics. Comparable in coalition/governance model though broader in scope and policy reach.
- ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability: A global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Comparable audience (city sustainability officials) and tool/provision model but with a much broader sustainability remit than SSC's smart-surfaces focus.
- RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute): A clean-energy-focused nonprofit producing research, tools, and convenings that influence city and building decarbonization. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit producing actionable tools and analyses for cities, though its portfolio spans energy, mobility, and buildings beyond surfaces.
Direct peers
- Global Cool Cities Alliance: A nonprofit initiative focused on advancing cool surfaces, cool roofs, and reflective pavements to mitigate urban heat. Highly comparable to SSC given overlapping mission, cool-roof advocacy, and city-facing toolkit approach, though narrower in scope.
- Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN): A peer network of sustainability directors from over 250 U.S. local governments focused on sustainability and resilience. Highly comparable given overlapping U.S. city audience, peer learning model, and climate-resilience subject matter.
- Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC): A nonprofit that provides unbiased ratings for the radiative properties of roofing and exterior wall products. Direct counterpart in cool-roof standards and a current SSC coalition partner, with deep technical overlap on reflective roof performance.
Emerging players
- Trust for Public Land: A national nonprofit working to protect parks and create green space in cities. Comparable in mission (urban heat mitigation, green infrastructure, equity) and as a current SSC coalition partner, with broader scope including land conservation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Smart Surfaces Coalition social profiles
Digital presenceSmart Surfaces Coalition financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smart Surfaces Coalition leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Smart Surfaces Coalition funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smart Surfaces Coalition M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smart Surfaces Coalition
What does Smart Surfaces Coalition do?
The Smart Surfaces Coalition provides city governments, airports, and public-sector practitioners with free tools, training, and advisory services to quantify and deploy Smart Surface technologies (cool/green roofs, trees, solar PV, reflective and porous pavements, bioswales, low-carbon concrete). Deliverables include the Benefit-Cost Analytic Tool, the Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker, geospatial analysis, micrometeorological heat modeling, and customized implementation support for partner cities in the U.S. and India.
Is Smart Surfaces Coalition a public or private company?
Smart Surfaces Coalition is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Smart Surfaces Coalition founded?
Smart Surfaces Coalition was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Smart Surfaces Coalition based?
Smart Surfaces Coalition is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Smart Surfaces Coalition make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation Funding and Grants.
Who are Smart Surfaces Coalition's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are World Resources Institute (WRI), C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability and RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute). Direct peers are Global Cool Cities Alliance, Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) and Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC). Trust for Public Land is listed as an emerging player.
Does Smart Surfaces Coalition have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smart Surfaces Coalition.