Accelerating Open-Source Environmental Innovation
IntroductionThe revolution is here! CaCo is a platform dedicated to fostering the development, dissemination, and continuous improvement of open-source solutions for pressing environmental and social challenges.
Why Open Source?Commercial innovation thrives on profit incentives, driving rapid advancement—but impact-driven solutions (environmental/social) often lag due to:
  • Lower profit potential
  • Higher risk
  • Slower adoption
Yet, there is a global community of professionals, designers, and implementers passionate about contributing their skills to meaningful change. CaCo harnesses this collective power by catalyzing open-source collaboration—accelerating innovation for a sustainable future.
What is CaCo?A non-profit, public-benefit organization (California-registered, 501(c)(3) serving as a collaborative platform for:
  • Professionals
  • Organizations
  • Corporations

Core Offerings:
✔ Open-Source "Knowledge Kits" – Free, globally accessible resources including:
  • Design specifications
  • Training materials
  • Case studies
  • Lab/field testing data
  • Pilot & scale-up insights
✔ Continuous Improvement Model
  • Creative Commons framework – All derivative works must also remain open-source.
✔ Modern Development Process
  • Collaborative design sprints (in-person & online)
  • Hackathons & expert networking
  • Cross-sector partnerships to tackle specific challenges.
Current Status & Roadmap
  • Launched: March 2025
  • First Pilot Project: Tan Tao Consortium
    • Developing a Biochar Knowledge Kit for small farmers, covering:
      • Feedstock pre-processing
      • Kiln production & biochar activation
      • Soil application techniques
      • Training materials for each step
    • Current Tan Tao consortium members: Prakti, ENSAM (Engineering), DEW (Design), Farming NGO (Suan Lahu, EchoAsia, WarmHearts, LivingRoots), Agronomists (wip).
  • Future Project: