The future of Vision place and technology

Tactical Urbanism
Also known as DIY urbanism, planning-by-doing, or urban prototyping, tactical urbanism is all about action. This approach refers to a city-led, organization-led, and/or citizen-led approach to neighborhood building using short-term, low-cost, and scalable interventions to catalyze long-term change. In fall of 2018, Rafi launched the Somernova Tactical Urbanism Project; since then, many areas at Somernova have been repurposed, made more accessible, and activated with art and gathering spaces.

SomeEV Micromobility Pilot
Are multimodal alternatives the new normal? This is the question Rafi sought to answer in a first-of-its-kind mobility pilot with Somernova tenant SomeEV, designed to test the demand for electric vehicles and micro-mobility alternatives. Good for the planet and good for you.

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Co-design approach
Invented, piloted, prototyped, and taken to market at Somernova, the Lightning Bug (FLYCYCLE) rack senses the approach and presence of bikes, interacting with people as it records data about bike racks use. It’s a next-generation bike rack designed by cyclists for properties that people bike to.

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An Eclectic Community
Somernova is an ecosystem of innovative “tough tech” companies, including a chocolatier, a microbrewery, a restaurant with an 18-course tasting menu, and a rock climbing gym. Innovation isn’t just about science, it’s also about art, exploration, curiosity, relationships, and community.

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The Engine by MIT moves to Somernova
Founded in 2016 by MIT, The Engine is a for-profit company that runs a roughly $660 million venture fund. In 2021 it expanded into a 42,000-square-foot space in Somernova, joining a cluster of climate technology-focused companies nearby.
This move helped to expand the Engine’s network and also brought the Engine closer to Greentown Labs so that the organizations can continue to work together to support climate tech.
“We are really excited to be here — really exciting to be in Somerville — and [we’re] just grateful to be around all of these wonderful entrepreneurs,” said Emily Knight, Vice President of the Engine at MIT.

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Greentown Labs, Working Towards a More Sustainable World
The largest climate tech startup incubator in North America, Greentown Labs (GTL) is a community of climate action pioneers working to design a more sustainable world. With its headquarters in Somerville, and a base at Somernova, GTL brings together startups, corporations, investors, policymakers, and many others with a focus on scaling climate solutions.
Driven by the mission of providing startups with the resources, knowledge, connections, and equipment they need to thrive, Greentown Labs offers lab space, shared office space, a machine shop, an electronics lab, software and business resources, and a large network of corporate customers, investors, and more.

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Form Energy opens its headquarters at Somernova
Form Energy is “transforming the grid” with a new class of cost-effective, multi-day energy storage systems that will enable a reliable and fully renewable electric grid year-round.
Form Energy was developed inside the Greentown Labs incubator at Somernova. When Form needed to expand the project to continue its mission, the company decided to stay at Somernova and take advantage of the campus’s expansive workspaces, powerful tech network, and proximity to MIT and Cambridge.

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