GreenerU
GreenerU is a privately held decarbonization services firm founded in 2009 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, delivering integrated planning, engineering, and construction management to colleges, K-12 schools, nonprofits, houses of worship, laboratories, and affordable housing operators pursuing climate neutrality.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersWaltham, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What GreenerU does
GreenerU is a privately held, mission-driven decarbonization services company founded in 2009 by David Adamian, Dave Kopans, and Rob Pratt (originally incorporated as EnergyClimate Solutions before rebranding). Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the firm delivers integrated planning, engineering, and construction management services to help educational institutions (higher education and K-12), nonprofits, houses of worship, laboratories, and affordable housing operators navigate climate action planning, ASHRAE energy audits, decarbonization assessments, and turnkey design-build retrofits. Its technical capabilities are organized around three core service lines — Planning (climate action plans, GHG inventories per the GHG Protocol, AASHE STARS reporting), Engineering (ASHRAE Level II audits, decarbonization assessments, feasibility studies, financial lifecycle modeling), and Construction (design-build delivery for HVAC, lab ventilation, heat recovery, and electrification) — supplemented by specialized add-ons such as the Climate Assessment Tool (CAT) for K12 schools and geothermal feasibility work.
GreenerU monetizes primarily through project-based professional services fees for planning, engineering, and construction management, with project sizes commonly scoped under the MHEC master contract (up to $300,000 without competitive bidding) for member institutions. A differentiated secondary revenue stream comes from financing facilitation: GreenerMass (an off-balance-sheet Energy Service Agreement with MassDevelopment for Massachusetts nonprofits and private schools under $1M, typically structured as a 7-year payment period with payments always less than verified savings), the Tax-Exempt Lease Program (TELP) with the Boston Industrial Development Finance Authority (BIDFA) for Boston 501(c)(3) nonprofits with up to 20-year payment plans, and the Benefactor Investment Model developed with EcoMotion providing PPA-style financing for educational institutions with 6-10 year payback. GreenerU also negotiates utility incentive capture on behalf of clients (documented outcomes range from $62,000 to $500,000+ per project).
The go-to-market combines direct enterprise relationship sales with a deep channel-partner moat: GreenerU is a pre-qualified technical advisor on Massachusetts contracting vehicles including MHEC MC01-G33, Massachusetts Operational Services Division PRF74, Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Accelerated Repair Program, DOER Affordable Housing Decarbonization, MassCEC Green School Works, Boston BERDO Building Decarbonization Advisor Program, BPDA House Doctor Services, and National Grid's Project Expeditor (PEX). The firm complements this with thought-leadership marketing through webinars co-sponsored with AASHE, Second Nature, the Building Electrification Accelerator, and Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light, plus a growing resource library. As of recent disclosures, GreenerU has partnered with more than 80 institutions (including Boston College, Brown, Babson, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Hampshire, WPI, Wellesley, Brandeis, Columbia, Duke, and Princeton in higher education; Brooks School, Phillips Academy, Interlochen in K-12; and MSPCA-Angell, Temple Shir Tikva, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Historic New England, and Roxbury Tenants of Harvard among nonprofit/affordable housing clients). The company is governed by a board including CEO Rob Durning (since 2022, succeeding co-founder David Adamian), Founder & Chairman Rob Pratt, and external directors from National Grid, Peregrine Energy Group, and The Megawatt Hour, with no outside private equity or venture capital ownership.
GreenerU firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GreenerU
- Legal name
- GreenerU
- Website
- https://greeneru.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GreenerU is a privately held decarbonization services firm founded in 2009 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, delivering integrated planning, engineering, and construction management to colleges, K-12 schools, nonprofits, houses of worship, laboratories, and affordable housing operators pursuing climate neutrality.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GreenerU industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Campus Decarbonization Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411)
- SIC
- Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Decarbonization Strategy & Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) Advisory (EUABAKAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting (BPAHAKAG), Climate Finance Strategy (CapEx planning, green finance, incentives & grants) (EUABAKAG), Regulatory & Disclosure Strategy (CSRD/ESRS, ISSB/IFRS S2, SEC, TCFD) (EUABAKAH)
Keywords
Where GreenerU is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waltham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
GreenerU business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional Services - Planning: Planning services including climate action planning, decarbonization planning, energy policy facilitation, resilience assessments, GHG emissions inventorying, AASHE STARS reporting, and graphic design. Revenue generated through project-based consulting fees and retainer arrangements with institutional clients.
- Professional Services - Engineering: Engineering services including ASHRAE energy audits, decarbonization assessments, feasibility studies, design and preconstruction, energy/emissions financial modeling, and funding/financing navigation. Revenue generated through project-based engineering fees.
- Professional Services - Construction: Construction management and design-build project delivery for energy conservation measures, heating system electrification, lab ventilation optimization, HVAC system replacements, and EV charger installation. Revenue generated through project management fees and design-build contracts.
- Financing Facilitation - GreenerMass ESA: Energy service agreement financing where GreenerU arranges off-balance-sheet financing through MassDevelopment partnership. Payments structured to always be less than verified savings, with institutions beginning to save immediately while payments continue during financing period.
- Financing Facilitation - TELP: Tax-exempt lease program facilitation through BIDFA partnership for Boston-based nonprofits. GreenerU coordinates financing arrangements with payment plans up to 20 years, earning facilitation fees for connecting clients with capital.
- Utility Incentive Navigation: GreenerU negotiates with utility companies (National Grid and others) to secure incentives for clients. Examples include $368,000 utility incentive for Dean College lighting overhaul, $62,000 for School of Visual Arts, $500,000+ for MSPCA. Revenue may include negotiated incentive shares.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | GreenerMass Energy Service Agreement |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | Tax-Exempt Lease Program (TELP) |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Multi-year contract | Benefactor Investment Model |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Professional Services - Planning/Engineering/Construction |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels7 records
GreenerU product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GreenerU provides integrated decarbonization planning, engineering, and construction management services to colleges, universities, K-12 schools, nonprofits, and laboratories. Service lines include climate action planning and stakeholder facilitation, ASHRAE Level II energy audits and decarbonization assessments, and design-build delivery of HVAC electrification, lighting retrofits, heat recovery, geothermal, and lab ventilation upgrades. The company also facilitates unique financing programs (GreenerMass ESA, TELP, Benefactor Investment Model) and negotiates utility incentives on behalf of institutional clients.
Product overview
GreenerU is a mission-driven decarbonization services company operating a multi-service model rather than a unified software product. Its core portfolio is organized around three interconnected service lines—Planning, Engineering, and Construction—which together form an integrated project lifecycle from initial stakeholder engagement and climate action planning through technical design/assessment to hands-on implementation. Supporting these core services are financing programs (GreenerMass, TELP, Benefactor Investment Model), specialized assessment tools (Zero Over Time Decarbonization Assessments, Climate Assessment Tool for K12 schools), and reporting/analytics support (AASHE STARS, GHG emissions inventorying). The company also provides technical vendor services through various government and utility programs (Boston BERDO, MSBA, National Grid PEX, Mass DOER). Clients engage individual or bundled services depending on their decarbonization stage.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Planning Services Stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and project management services that help institutions develop climate action plans, decarbonization roadmaps, and sustainability strategies aligned with their institutional values and missions.
- Engineering Services Technical engineering assessments including ASHRAE Level II energy audits, decarbonization assessments, feasibility studies, design and preconstruction services, and energy/emissions financial modeling to identify pathways for building decarbonization.
- Construction Services Turnkey design-build project delivery for energy conservation measures, heating system electrification, HVAC replacements, EV charger installation, and lab ventilation optimization, with scheduling and cost efficiencies.
- AASHE STARS Reporting, Review, and Support Third-party reviews for accuracy and completeness, full data collection and submission, pathway analysis and recommendations for achieving higher ratings, and graphically designed sustainability reports.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventorying Collection and analysis of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data using GHG Protocol definitions, with uploads to SIMAP, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, or similar tools for emissions reporting.
- Climate Assessment Tool (CAT) A simple, effective evaluation tool for K12 schools to assess sustainability efforts, energy use, sustainability initiatives, and environmental curriculum, providing a baseline for climate action advocacy.
- GreenerMass Financing Off-balance-sheet energy service agreement (ESA) financing program in partnership with MassDevelopment, offering payments structured so institutions pay only for verified energy savings, open to Massachusetts nonprofits and private educational institutions.
- Tax-Exempt Lease Program (TELP) Financing program in partnership with Boston Industrial Development Finance Authority (BIDFA) for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, backed by tax-exempt low-cost financing with guaranteed verified energy savings exceeding debt service payments.
- Benefactor Investment Model Mission-driven financing mechanism developed with EcoMotion, enabling tax-paying investors (such as alumni) to fund energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects at educational institutions with no upfront costs, with 6-10 year payback periods.
- Geothermal System Services Feasibility assessments, system reuse analysis, lifecycle analysis, and implementation planning for geothermal retrofits in existing buildings, including constructability, phasing, and system integration.
Quantifiable outcome
- Boston heat recovery project won 2025 BE+ Green Building Showcase Building Decarb Intervention award with $150,000 grant
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use GreenerU
Customer profileNamed customers45 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GreenerU technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
GreenerU partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.
- Elevated Design, Inc.strategicPartnership with Elevated Design, Inc. on heat recovery project for Roxbury Tenants of Harvard's Levinson Tower. Project won 2025 BE+ Green Building Showcase Building Decarb Intervention award.
- City of Boston - Building Decarbonization Advisor ProgramcoreGreenerU selected as assigned technical vendor for nonprofit and house of worship program participants under BERDO. Open to residential buildings 15+ units in Environmental Justice neighborhoods and non-residential buildings over 20,000 SF.
- National GridcoreSynergE Worcester program developed with National Grid to advance major energy efficiency initiatives on campus with WPI, College of the Holy Cross, and Clark. Also Project Expeditor (PEX) partnership to accelerate custom incentive calculations for large customers.
- Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC)coreMHEC master contract MC01-G33 for Energy Consulting Services allows member institutions (schools, libraries, municipalities in New England) to procure GreenerU services up to $300,000 without competitive bidding process.
- Massachusetts Operational Services DivisioncoreApproved vendor under PRF74: Energy, Climate Action, and Facility Advisory Services contract for state agencies, municipalities, and public authorities in Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)coreApproved owner's project manager (OPM) consultant for MSBA's Accelerated Repair Program focusing on energy-efficient upgrades for Massachusetts public K-12 schools.
- Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER)corePre-qualified technical consultant for DOER's Affordable Housing Decarbonization Technical Assistance Program helping building owners identify pathways to decarbonize affordable housing for LMI residents.
- MassCEC Green School WorkscorePre-approved technical assistance vendor for comprehensive building assessments, decarbonization roadmaps, focused studies, and renewables for Massachusetts public K-12 schools serving low-income students.
- Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA)coreWith partner Leonardi Aray Architects, GreenerU provides green building, sustainability, and energy-efficiency consulting for BPDA's portfolio of buildings including zero-carbon building assessments.
- Hamilton Construction ManagementcoreConstruction partner for energy efficiency projects in historic buildings. Worked on projects in historic cultural and educational areas while maintaining sustainability focus.
- Leonardi Aray ArchitectscorePartner with GreenerU for BPDA house doctor services providing green building, sustainability, and energy-efficiency consulting for Boston public buildings.
- Second NaturestrategicCo-sponsor of webinars on higher education decarbonization and waste implementation. Second Nature is a climate action organization focused on higher education.
- Building Electrification AcceleratorstrategicMultiple co-sponsored webinars including Boston organizations, K12 schools, higher education, and nonprofits decarbonization content.
- AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education)strategicCo-sponsored webinar on preparing for higher education decarbonization. GreenerU provides AASHE STARS reporting support as a core service offering.
- Massachusetts Interfaith Power and LightstrategicCo-sponsored webinar on Boston decarbonization and fundraising for nonprofits. Works with congregations on clean energy transition.
- Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN)strategicCo-hosted webinar on geothermal for Connecticut houses of worship. IREJN connects faith communities with environmental justice.
- New England Museum AssociationminorCo-sponsored webinar on nonprofit decarbonization stories featuring Discovery Museum and Concord Free Public Library.
- CURC (College and University Readers Consortium)minorCo-sponsored webinar on waste implementation planning with Bentley University.
- Fraser EngineeringminorListed as construction partner for GreenerU projects.
- TG GallagherminorListed as construction partner for GreenerU projects.
- Boston Green Ribbon CommissionstrategicListed as nonprofit client and strategic partner in Boston sustainability initiatives including BERDO compliance support.
- Resonant EnergystrategicCo-sponsored webinar on trio of net-zero (efficiency, electrification, on-site solar) with Wellesley Village Church and Allston Brighton CDC.
Scale indicators19 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
GreenerU competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- McKinstry: McKinstry is a national ESCO with a strong K-12 and higher education decarbonization practice, offering planning, design-build, and energy services comparable to GreenerU but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
- Ameresco: Ameresco is a publicly traded renewable energy and energy services company with deep higher education and K-12 client relationships, offering similar planning, design-build, and ESA financing structures. It is much larger and more diversified than GreenerU.
- Energy Systems Group (ESG): Energy Systems Group is a mid-sized ESCO focused on higher education, K-12, and government clients with integrated energy auditing, design-build, and performance contracting services that directly overlap with GreenerU's model.
- NORESCO: NORESCO (a Mitsubishi subsidiary) is a major ESCO serving higher education, K-12, and institutional clients with comprehensive energy services, ESPC delivery, and decarbonization planning comparable to GreenerU but at much larger scale.
- Willdan Group: Willdan is a public energy and sustainability consulting firm providing energy planning, benchmarking, and decarbonization services to K-12, higher education, and municipal clients with comparable consulting and engineering offerings.
Broad incumbents
- ENGIE Services US: ENGIE Services is a large global energy services provider serving higher education, healthcare, and government with full decarbonization services including design-build and ESPC financing, competing with GreenerU on institutional projects at greater scale.
- TRANE Technologies: Trane Technologies is a major HVAC equipment and building services provider with dedicated higher education and K-12 practices offering electrification and decarbonization solutions that increasingly compete with GreenerU's design-build HVAC work.
Emerging players
- Slipstream: Slipstream is a nonprofit clean energy organization that works with utilities, governments, and institutions on building decarbonization programs and is increasingly active in K-12 and higher ed climate action planning that overlaps with GreenerU's planning services.
- Sightlines (EAB): Sightlines, part of EAB, provides higher education facilities and capital planning advisory including asset management and energy benchmarking, partially overlapping with GreenerU's institutional planning and capital planning advisory services.
- Brailsford & Dunlavey: Brailsford & Dunlavey is a national program management firm serving higher education, K-12, and public agencies with facility planning, owner's project management, and infrastructure advisory that overlaps with GreenerU's owner representation and decarbonization planning work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GreenerU social profiles
Digital presenceGreenerU financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GreenerU leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
GreenerU funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GreenerU 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 GreenerU
What does GreenerU do?
GreenerU provides integrated decarbonization planning, engineering, and construction management services to colleges, universities, K-12 schools, nonprofits, and laboratories. Service lines include climate action planning and stakeholder facilitation, ASHRAE Level II energy audits and decarbonization assessments, and design-build delivery of HVAC electrification, lighting retrofits, heat recovery, geothermal, and lab ventilation upgrades. The company also facilitates unique financing programs (GreenerMass ESA, TELP, Benefactor Investment Model) and negotiates utility incentives on behalf of institutional clients.
Is GreenerU a public or private company?
GreenerU is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GreenerU founded?
GreenerU was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GreenerU based?
GreenerU is headquartered in Waltham, United States, in the North America region.
How does GreenerU make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Professional Services - Planning is the primary driver. The others are professional Services - Engineering, professional Services - Construction, financing Facilitation - GreenerMass ESA, financing Facilitation - TELP and utility Incentive Navigation.
Who are GreenerU's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are McKinstry, Ameresco, Energy Systems Group (ESG), NORESCO and Willdan Group. Broad incumbents are ENGIE Services US and TRANE Technologies. Emerging players are Slipstream, Sightlines (EAB) and Brailsford & Dunlavey.
Does GreenerU have an API?
No public API is recorded for GreenerU.
What industry is GreenerU in?
GreenerU's product category is Campus Decarbonization Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUABAKAC, Decarbonization Strategy & Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) Advisory, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAG, Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting. Its NAICS code is 92411 and its SIC code is 4900.