A Massive Energy Problem Hiding in Plain Sight

Commercial HVAC is a massive energy hog — air conditioning accounts for a huge portion of building energy costs. Most commercial AC systems are inefficient and waste energy, but retrofitting is expensive and disruptive. Helix Earth has a better way.

What They're Building

Spun out of Rice University, Helix Earth uses proprietary liquid-gas chemistry technology with roots in NASA research. Rawand Rasheed developed a patented no-touch distillation system at NASA as a Life Support Systems Engineer for spacecraft water recovery, then adapted the technology for commercial HVAC. The system delivers 40%+ energy savings for commercial AC.

Co-founder Brad Husick brings a track record of five successful startups, complementing Rasheed's deep technical expertise with proven business-building experience.

Funding and Growth

Helix Earth raised a $5.6 million seed round led by Veriten, with participation from Anthropocene Ventures and Semilla Capital. The company later raised a $12 million Seed 2 round in 2026, accelerating its path to market. Rawand Rasheed was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy & Green Tech list for 2025, recognizing the transformative potential of the technology.