i3 Incubator
Our Incubations
At i3 Incubator, innovation is not constrained by category, trend, or cycle.
Our incubation work spans multiple sectors and stages, reflecting a long-term commitment to identifying real-world problems and developing practical, defensible solutions.
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Below is a selection of incubations originating within i3—ranging from ventures that have successfully transitioned into independent operating companies, to active projects currently under development, to future initiatives advancing through early-stage validation.
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Each incubation represents a distinct moment in time, but all share a common foundation: necessity-driven insight, intellectual property discipline, and a clear path toward scalable commercialization.
As a private platform owned by 4E Enterprises LLC, i3 approaches incubation as stewardship—not speculation. Some projects mature into standalone companies. Others are licensed, partnered, or held until the right conditions emerge.
Updates on active and evolving incubations are shared periodically through our Blog, offering selective insight into progress, milestones, and lessons learned along the way.
Interested in advising, partnering, investing, or simply learning more?
We welcome thoughtful conversations with those aligned with our long-term approach to building what lasts.
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UCO
BEFORE BIODIESEL -
Prior to the formal creation of i3 Incubator, founder Paul Peterson operated a recycling business where a restaurant client raised a practical question: how should used cooking oil (UCO) be handled at scale?
That question led Peterson and his colleague Oren to develop dual-fuel systems for diesel vehicles—an innovation that proved highly effective and commercially viable. By 2008, the solution had been successfully deployed and continues to operate independently today.
This work represents one of the earliest necessity-driven innovations that helped shape the philosophy behind i3: practical problems, disciplined engineering, and real-world application.
W2E
ONE CITY'S TRASH -
In the late 2000s, i3 founders explored large-scale waste-to-energy systems using technology derived from World War II–era advancements. Working alongside biotechnology scientists and supported by U.S. Department of Energy initiatives, the team investigated closed-loop systems capable of converting organic waste into usable energy through pyrolysis.
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This work provided deep, hands-on exposure to municipal solid waste, agribusiness waste, construction and demolition debris, fats/oils/grease (FOG), biosolids, anaerobic digestion, wastewater treatment, and landfill remediation.
While these projects are no longer active incubations, the technical insight and systems knowledge continue to inform i3’s approach to sustainable infrastructure and industrial problem-solving today.
HempWorks
WHAT CAN HEMP DO -
HempWorks was established to systematically explore the commercial potential of the hemp plant beyond conventional use cases. While often viewed as a relic of the past, i3 approaches hemp as a versatile input for future-oriented materials and products.
The incubation has progressed into active development, with commercially viable products being advanced alongside manufacturing partners. These include solutions derived from hemp fiber, hemp flower, and additional components of the plant.
HempWorks reflects i3’s disciplined transition from exploration to execution—advancing only those applications with clear pathways to scale.
B2D Solutions
FOR TRANSPARENCY SAKE -
Modern consumers increasingly demand visibility—into what products are made of, how they are produced, and who stands behind them. Yet meaningful transparency remains limited across many industries.
B2D Solutions adapts proven technologies and applies them in new ways to improve product traceability, data clarity, and consumer trust. This incubation is currently in active development, focused on practical deployment rather than speculative concepts.
B2D reflects i3’s emphasis on applying existing technology with purpose—solving real problems through thoughtful re-engineering.
Flashlight Cap
ALL FLASHLIGHTS ARE NOT THE SAME -
Traditional flashlights are bulky, battery-intensive, and often inaccessible. Even modern LED designs still rely on high-energy inputs that limit usefulness in real-world scenarios.
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This incubation centers on a low-energy flashlight design capable of operating on batteries typically considered “dead” and discarded. The concept emphasizes efficiency, portability, and practical utility.
The project is currently in development, with i3 actively exploring manufacturing partnerships to advance the design toward commercial production.
Clothing Innovation
COMFORT, STYLE, & INNOVATION. WOW -
Drawing from a background in athletics and performance-driven design, the i3 team has been exploring new approaches to apparel that prioritize comfort, function, and everyday usability.
This incubation has progressed through early development and is approaching initial launch readiness. Additional details will be shared as the concept transitions from exploration into execution.
Jewelry World
JEWELRY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME -
This incubation represents a significant material and process innovation within the jewelry industry. Designed from the ground up with sustainability, scalability, and differentiation in mind, the concept challenges traditional assumptions about how fine jewelry is created and valued.
Currently in active development, the project is advancing toward commercialization with a clear emphasis on defensible intellectual property and long-term market impact.
Strategic partners and aligned investors may inquire to learn more as this incubation progresses.
FinTech Done Right
HI CREDIT, LOW CREDIT. WE WANT TO HELP -
The modern credit system contains structural inefficiencies that affect consumers, institutions, and the broader economy. This incubation explores new ways to improve outcomes by connecting existing components of the financial system more intelligently.
The concept is currently in early-stage exploration, focused on validating use cases, system architecture, and alignment opportunities before advancing further.
As with all i3 incubations, progress will be driven by necessity, feasibility, and long-term value creation—not speed alone.
