RETI Center
RETI Center is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that trains historically marginalized youth for green jobs, delivers community solar subscriptions, and builds nature-based coastal infrastructure including Floating Gardens and a Floating Reef bio-habitat at its Gowanus Bay Field Station.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What RETI Center does
RETI Center (The Resilience Education Training and Innovation Center) is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 in the wake of Superstorm Sandy by the Red Hook community. The organization educates, trains, and collaborates with local youth, industry experts, and community members to advance equity, ecology, and economy in adapting waterfront communities to climate change. Its primary programs are the no-cost Green Jobs Training Program (Roof RETI) preparing participants for solar installation, building electrification, and clean energy careers; the Local Power community solar subscription program; the BlueBlock Floating Gardens and Floating Reef nature-based infrastructure projects; the floating Field Station at GBX~ Gowanus Bay Terminal; the BlueCity urban ocean stewardship initiative; sugar kelp marine aquaculture with LaGuardia College and Lazy Point Farms; and K–12 and college education programs. RETI also runs the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for paid youth internships and a workforce mentorship program placing industry mentors with graduates.
RETI's underlying technology is non-software and centered on physical coastal-resilience infrastructure: modular floating structures built from salvaged and reclaimed materials (including recycled cork beds), a living floating bio-habitat integrating a solar-powered greenhouse, mussel/oyster lines, and kelp cultivation, an expanding sensor network for water-quality and weather monitoring in collaboration with NOAA, small-scale plastic recycling via a Filabot reclaimer producing 100% recycled 3D-printer filament and algae-based bioplastics, and sugar kelp marine farming. BlueBlock Floating Gardens has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale of Architecture. The organization operates in the New York metropolitan area, with active cohorts in Brooklyn (Red Hook) and the Bronx and a 2025 expansion into Newburgh via a NYSERDA co-sponsored community solar launch.
RETI's business model is nonprofit and diversified across donations and individual fundraising (including an NYC Marathon team with a $3,000 per-runner minimum), corporate support and paid corporate volunteer team-building engagements at the floating field station, government and foundation grants (NYSCA, Architectural League, NYSERDA, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses), and recurring community solar subscription revenue from Local Power. Workforce training is delivered at no cost to participants, with paid internships providing the income path. The organization is led by Executive Director Jinean Robinson (since July 2025) and Founder/Board Chair Gita Nandan, with a 1–10 person staff and a broader network of board members, science and industry advisors, consultants, and a 750+ volunteer base.
RETI Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RETI Center
- Legal name
- The Resilience Education Training and Innovation Center
- Website
- https://reticenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- RETI Center is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that trains historically marginalized youth for green jobs, delivers community solar subscriptions, and builds nature-based coastal infrastructure including Floating Gardens and a Floating Reef bio-habitat at its Gowanus Bay Field Station.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RETI Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clean Energy Workforce Development and Community Solar
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Roofing Contractors (23816), Facilities Support Services (561210)
- SIC
- Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- HVAC Installation & Service (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Water Reuse & Reclamation Infrastructure Construction (Recycled Water Systems) (IMAFAGAH), Alternative Education & Dropout Prevention / Re-Engagement Programs (EDANAJAF)
Keywords
Where RETI Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
RETI Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations through the support page, fundraising events like marathon team participation ($3,000 minimum commitment per runner), and annual fundraiser events.
- Corporate Support: Corporate partnerships funding youth education programs, workforce training initiatives, and public programs. Includes corporate volunteering programs where companies pay for team building activities on the floating barge.
- Government and Foundation Grants: Grant funding from organizations like NYSCA and Architectural League (2022 Architecture and Design Independent Projects Grant). Funding supports capital campaigns like the Floating Reef.
- Community Solar Subscriptions: Local Power community solar program connects subscribers to solar energy systems on commercial buildings, reducing energy costs while supporting clean energy infrastructure.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | NYC Marathon Fundraising Minimum |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Corporate Volunteer Program |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
RETI Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RETI Center educates, trains, and collaborates with local youth and historically marginalized residents on clean energy workforce skills, community solar access, and urban coastal ecosystem restoration. It runs no-cost green jobs training (Roof RETI), coordinates the Local Power community solar program, and operates a floating Field Station laboratory featuring BlueBlock Floating Gardens and the Floating Reef bio-habitat.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Local Power: Community solar program brand that lets community members cut energy costs by subscribing to large-scale solar energy systems on commercial buildings.
- Roof RETI
- BlueCity
Products and services
- Local Power Community Solar A community solar program enabling NYC residents to subscribe to large-scale solar energy systems hosted on commercial buildings, reducing energy costs without requiring rooftop installation on their own property.
- Roof RETI Solar Installation Training (Green Job Training) No-cost intensive solar installation training (3-week format) covering safety protocols, permitting, OSHA certification, and GPRO certification, preparing trainees for careers in solar installation and other clean energy trades.
- BlueBlock Floating Gardens Modular floating structure system inspired by lilypads, built entirely from salvaged and reclaimed materials on recycled cork beds, designed to restore aquatic ecosystems along NYC's coastal edges.
- Floating Reef A living, floating bio-habitat supporting marine life from sea floor to surface, featuring a solar-powered greenhouse for year-round aquatic plant growth, hanging mussel ropes and oyster baskets for water cleansing, and kelp lines surrounding a concrete hull.
- Field Station A floating experimental learning site on Gowanus Bay hosting water science research, sustainable construction projects, waste reduction initiatives, and ecosystem restoration programs for education, training, and public engagement.
- Youth Education Programs Field trips, research groups (plastic recycling/bioplastics, water quality monitoring), internships, and custom curricula for schools covering sustainable design, water science, and green energy topics.
- BlueCity A waterfront development initiative at GBX~ Gowanus Bay Terminal creating a model for how coastal cities can combine environmental justice, social responsibility, and innovative design to adapt to climate change.
- Sugar Kelp Cultivation Program Marine aquaculture initiative cultivating sugar kelp in NY Harbor for water quality improvement and carbon sequestration, in partnership with LaGuardia College and Lazy Point Farms.
Quantifiable outcome
- 200+ graduates placed into green careers through Local Power workforce training
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use RETI Center
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
RETI Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
RETI Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.
- NYSERDAminorCo-sponsored the SolaElectric Renaissance event in Newburgh, celebrating the launch of Solarize Newburgh and first building-powered public EV charging stations.
- NYC 2030 DistrictminorCo-hosted Climate Week info sessions with RETI Center for building owners and property managers interested in hosting Community Solar systems.
- Dutch ConsulatemajorCo-hosted the Urban Ocean Stewardship half-day conference and workshop focused on expanding floating infrastructure for ecologically sustainable water-borne uses around NYC's coastal edge.
- GBX~ Gowanus Bay TerminalcoreHosts RETI Center's floating Field Station at 701 Columbia Street. Provides berthing and operational support for the barge-based learning laboratory. Supports team building activities and events for corporate volunteers.
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreCollaboration on water quality monitoring program. Weekly monitoring of Gowanus Bay for harmful algal bloom detection. Expanding to include sensor network for weather and nutrient monitoring.
- LaGuardia CollegeminorCollaboration on sugar kelp marine farm creation, part of urban ocean stewardship initiatives at the field station.
- Lazy Point FarmsminorCollaboration on sugar kelp marine farm creation, supporting urban ocean stewardship and water quality improvement.
- thread collectivecoreDesign collaboration partner for BlueBlock Floating Gardens, an innovative and evolving design project created in partnership and exhibited at the Venice Biennale of Architecture.
- Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)coreCreates custom paid internships for local youth combining sustainable construction skills and STEM education to support job readiness.
- Waterfront AllianceminorCo-sponsored City of Water Day workshop at RETI Field Station, part of broader efforts to raise awareness about sea level rise and climate change.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights6 records
RETI Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Solar United Neighbors: Nonprofit expanding community solar access through education, group purchasing, and advocacy — overlapping mission on community solar subscription models and energy equity.
- GRID Alternatives: National nonprofit installing solar for low-income communities and training workforce entrants — the closest national analog to RETI's combined solar training + community solar + environmental justice model.
- Solar Energy International (SEI): Nonprofit solar training provider offering workforce certifications and installer pathways — comparable vocational clean energy training mission, though operating nationally rather than locally.
- Billion Oyster Project: NYC nonprofit restoring urban harbor ecosystems via oyster reefs and community engagement — directly comparable waterfront restoration mission and NYC operating geography.
- Groundwork USA: Federation of local Trusts running environmental education and green workforce programs in underserved urban communities — directly comparable hyperlocal environmental justice + youth training approach.
Broad incumbents
- Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing no-cost technology and green infrastructure training to underserved adults — comparable free workforce training model with multi-city scale that RETI would need to match.
- Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester: Larger established nonprofit combining affordable housing construction with workforce training for underserved residents — overlaps on the training-plus-built-environment mission serving NYC communities.
Regional players
- NYC Environmental Justice Alliance: NYC coalition advocating for environmental justice communities in climate policy — overlapping target population and NYC geographic focus with RETI's mission.
- The Waterfront Alliance: NYC-based waterfront resilience coalition already partnering with RETI on City of Water Day — operates as a peer convener in the same NYC climate adaptation ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Greenworker Cooperatives: South Bronx-based nonprofit incubating worker-owned green businesses — comparable local green economy and environmental justice orientation in an adjacent NYC geography.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
RETI Center social profiles
Digital presenceRETI Center compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
RETI Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RETI Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
RETI Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RETI Center 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 RETI Center
What does RETI Center do?
RETI Center educates, trains, and collaborates with local youth and historically marginalized residents on clean energy workforce skills, community solar access, and urban coastal ecosystem restoration. It runs no-cost green jobs training (Roof RETI), coordinates the Local Power community solar program, and operates a floating Field Station laboratory featuring BlueBlock Floating Gardens and the Floating Reef bio-habitat.
Is RETI Center a public or private company?
RETI Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was RETI Center founded?
RETI Center was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is RETI Center based?
RETI Center is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does RETI Center make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are corporate Support, government and Foundation Grants and community Solar Subscriptions.
Who are RETI Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Solar United Neighbors, GRID Alternatives, Solar Energy International (SEI), Billion Oyster Project and Groundwork USA. Broad incumbents are Per Scholas and Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester. Regional players are NYC Environmental Justice Alliance and The Waterfront Alliance. Greenworker Cooperatives is listed as an emerging player.
Does RETI Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for RETI Center.
What industry is RETI Center in?
RETI Center's product category is Clean Energy Workforce Development and Community Solar. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOACAC, HVAC Installation & Service (Residential & Commercial), with a secondary code of EUACALAJ, Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 1623.