New Economic Models to help communities thrive in balance with nature
As humanity’s context, values, and objectives evolve, so too should the way we envision the economy.
The retrofit market remains fragmented, without common standards to enable pipeline development or capital formation at scale.
It’s time to move from silos to systems.
Systemic Approach
Market Transformation
A Learn-By-Doing Approach to Aligning Policies, Programs, and Capital to Transform Markets
New Math
Catalyzing Transformative Partnerships
Where 1 + 1 = 100
Aspiration into Action
Enabling Collaboration Across Silos to Reduce Friction and Unlock Impact
building a $1B pipeline of resilience retrofits from the ground up and from the top down
What we Do
LABORATORY
Our nonprofit arm works to catalyze a paradigm shift by amplifying our learnings at the intersection of climate resilience, health, equity, finance, policy, and economic development.
APPLICATION
Bridging the gaps from demand generation to project development and finance, we provide program design, capacity building, training and advisory services to help program managers navigate a complex and shifting market to drive results.
COMMERCIAL
Project development and pipeline management Beta tech that simplifies project development and financing, enabling incentive stacking and providing clear inputs for underwriting while reducing friction in the market.
Creating Possibilities
-
![]()
Market Transformation Platform for LA’s Best Buildings
-
![]()
Simplifying Policy Implementation & Incentives
-
![]()
Leveraging Federal Funding to Access Private Capital
-
![]()
Pioneering Project Development Standards
-
![]()
Scaling a Best-in-Class Building Retrofit Resource Hub
-
![]()
Securing Resources for Equitable Building Decarbonization
-
![]()
District Energy to Catalyze Neighborhood-Scale Decarbonization
-
![]()
Towards Resilient Infrastructure & Goods Movement
-
![LACI logo]()
Innovating Project Finance & Local Workforce Development
What some of our clients say
“Dave is able to shift between working with community advocates and major business players, and is trusted and sought after by both. It’s a remarkable trait!”
“One of the biggest barriers to efficiency investments is communication. Sustento Group is able to simplify complex information to make it resonate with different audiences — such a unique quality.”
“It’s rare to find a program that really understands the real estate business, climate policy, and buildings. Sustento Group is able to work across stakeholder groups to flush out issues and develop workable solutions. I can say from first-hand knowledge that without Dave and the Sustento team, LA’s Existing Buildings Energy & Water Efficiency Ordinance would not be possible. ”