We are a climate technology company that engages the forces of nature to solve global issues
Concept statement
Why
To catalyze a global push to salvage the indispensable environment and culture of island nations.
How
By collaborating with technology-based research initiatives at the forefront of preserving island nations.
What
Ecological and cultural preservation of island nations in the face of environmental catastrophes.
About Us
The founders of Invena, both hailing from small island nations that stand on the frontlines of rising sea levels, are driven by a deep-rooted passion to protect their homelands. Their personal experiences and love for their countries inspire a journey dedicated to preserving entire nations and ways of life. This commitment fuels their mission to regenerate coastlines and combat the devastating effects of climate change, ensuring that future generations can continue to thrive in the lands that shaped their identity.
Sarah Dole
Sarah Dole is a Sri Lankan physicist and entrepreneur with a deep passion for science and environmental sustainability. She has a degree in Physics and Mathematics from Mount Holyoke College, an executive education in Exponential Technologies from Singularity University, an alumna of Ladies’ College and holds two patents under her portfolio. Sarah has worked extensively in research, technology strategy, and commercialization within global corporations like Global Foundries and Twinery by MAS Holdings. Sarah’s work is fueled by her love for the natural world and a desire to explore the intersection of disciplines to unlock exponential potential. Growing up in an island nation that faces direct threats from rising sea levels, Sarah’s journey with Invena stems from a deeply personal mission: to preserve not only her homeland but the future of coastal nations worldwide. She brings a visionary, interdisciplinary approach to her work, driven by a strong sense of purpose and a belief that science and technology can create sustainable solutions for global challenges.
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Hassan Maniku
Hassan Maniku, a Maldivian hotelier, real estate developer, entrepreneur and conservationist, has long been a leader in both hospitality and environmental preservation. Coming from one of the pioneering families in the Maldivian tourism industry, Hassan has built a successful career as the CEO and Executive Director of HIMA Holdings, specializing in hotel and resort development and as co-founder of Invena. His achievements as a real estate developer, hotelier, and entrepreneur, coupled with his commitment to advancing the tourism industry, underscore his influential role in shaping the Maldivian landscape. His unwavering dedication to excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to sustainable development continues to elevate the Maldives as a premier global destination under his leadership. In addition to his corporate leadership, Hassan serves as the Honorary Consul of Lithuania in the Maldives, where he promotes diplomatic engagement and fosters international relations between the two countries.
Hassan holds a diploma in Permaculture Management, showcasing his deep commitment to sustainability. Having grown up in the Maldives, a nation acutely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Hassan’s dedication to environmental conservation is not just professional—it’s personal. His passion for preserving marine ecosystems and safeguarding coastal communities inspired his co-founding of Invena.
Our Team
Hussain Mohamed
Hussain Mohamed is the Operations Manager for Invena and is responsible for overseeing and optimizing the day to day operations of the company. Hussain is also an active member of the Skydiving Association of Maldives (SAM), combining his professional acumen with his adventurous spirit.
He is also the IT Infrastructure Manager at the National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT), Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology, Maldives. With 23 years of experience in e-governance development, Hussain has successfully managed government communication networks in the Maldives. He oversees the delivery, support, and maintenance of e-Government services, driving digital transformation in government services.
Hussain Holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from Maldives Institute of Technical Education, Maldives, Information Technology Diploma from the University of Wollongong, Australia and a Masters degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of West of England, UK
Nuwan Jayatilleka
Nuwan Jayatilleka is the Technical Project lead for Invena PVT LTD, where he provides expert technical knowledge for ongoing projects.
With over ten years of hands-on experience in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Nuwan has become a highly skilled construction professional. His track record demonstrates a consistent ability to effectively lead and manage teams, bolstered by extensive technical knowledge and experience, while adhering to the highest quality standards. His career began as a Site Engineer and progressed through roles as a Chartered Civil Engineer and Senior Civil Engineer, culminating in his current positions as a Construction Project Manager and Consultant Engineer.
Nuwan holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, a graduate diploma in Contract Management & Procurement Management, and is a Chartered Civil Engineer and International Professional Engineer.
our traits
Building with Nature. Restore/Reshape the World
Littoral - Predictive Coastal Mapping Software for Actionable Intelligence
In a world where communities face acute land scarcity and increasing vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as flooding, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events. Traditional strategies to address these challenges such as land reclamation and coastal protection methods are both costly and environmentally taxing.
At Invena, we have collaborated with the Self Assembly Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that’s “Building with Nature” . We offer forward-thinking solutions that not only protect but also regenerate natural ecosystems and provide intelligence & transparency to guide coastal decision making.
The Global Challenge
According to NASA, global sea levels have risen by over 10 cm between 1993 and 2024, with an expected unavoidable rise of 1-2 meters by the end of the century.
Low-lying regions such as Bangladesh, China, India, and the Netherlands are at high risk, with nearly 900 million people living in coastal areas facing acute danger due to rising seas (source: United Nations).
Rapid urbanization and industrialization globally are leading to an increased demand for land. 106 cities around the world have created 2530 Square kilometers of new coastal land by 2023 (source: American Geophysical Union).
Our Revolutionary Approach
We believe that nature is the best engineer. Rather than constructing permanent man-made barriers or dredging that disturb natural ecosystems, we create cost-effective, habitat-building solutions that work in harmony with the power of the ocean. Instead of fighting against nature, we work with nature turning the relentless forces of waves into a new form of value- “Sand Currency”.
Coastal Regeneration Solutions
Invena x Self Assembly Lab, MIT
We empower coastal communities with tools to understand, predict, and enhance shoreline resilience.
Littoral, a predictive monitoring system, tracks sediment movement using satellite imagery, analyzing patterns to forecast future shifts. The resulting forecasts improve coastal planning outcomes and helps communities make strategic interventions and adapt to climate change.
Resilient Coastlines, is a sand accretion technology that is a network of physical interventions that are low-cost, easy to deploy and adaptable, helping coastal communities guide the movement of sediment to areas that need it the most.
Our solution holds vast potential for restoring and stabilizing densely populated coastlines and safeguarding vulnerable island nations, offering a nature-based, long-term defense against the threats posed by climate change.
Deployments
Since 2017, our team has been conducting advanced simulations and tank experiments at the Self-Assembly Lab at MIT. By testing a variety of wave conditions, sand behaviors, and structural geometries, we aim to uncover the best methods for promoting sand accumulation. These controlled lab experiments are aligned with real-world conditions, taking into account specific seasons and locations, to identify which mechanisms lead to the greatest sand buildup. Once refined, these systems are then implemented in diverse field locations.
In collaboration with leading hotel management brands, we are bringing this breakthrough technology to the coastline. Not only does it function as an advanced coastal protection solution, but it also serves as a unique, immersive guest experience, allowing visitors to engage with cutting-edge climate technology firsthand.
Field Installations: Real-World Testing in the Maldives
Since February 2019, we have been actively deploying our systems in the Maldives, working to design a scalable, successful solution for natural sand accumulation. Through these field installations, we are learning how to make our coastal protection systems cost-effective, easy to deploy, and aligned with circular manufacturing principles.
Currently, we are testing two scaled-up installations in the Maldives, with the goal of demonstrating large-scale beach restoration and the creation of sustainable sandbanks.
Experiential Ecotourism: A New Way to Engage with Conservation
Our partnership with prestigious hotel brands such as Taj and JW Marriott takes this technology to the next level, integrating coastal protection with coral regeneration measures. More than just a functional system, we create an immersive ecotourism experience that connects guests with conservation efforts.
Through this initiative, guests are given the opportunity to actively participate in the fight against climate change by engaging with our climate tech solutions, all while contributing to the preservation of our environment.
Team
Self-Assembly Lab Team: Walt Zesk, Natalie Pearl, Arzy Abliadzhyieva, Yihong Amy Chen, Farida Moustafa, Tishya Chhabra, Annie Dong, Ayah Mahmoud, Tishya Chhabra, Sabrina Su, Maria Diane Fadel, Kimball Kaiser, Jacqueline Chen, Christina Kim, Alice Song, Jeremy Bilotti, Nitzan Zilberman, Heather Nelson, Maya Koneval, Yuxuan Lei, Violetta Jusiega, Emile C. Theriault-Shay, Amelia Wong, Nicole Teichner, Olivia Yao, Stephen Colar, Björn Sparrman, Schendy Kernizan, Jared Laucks, Skylar Tibbits
Invena Team: Ali Amir, Ibrahim Naseem, Fahad Shiham, Maaiz “Mommo” Maniku, Hassan Samah, Hassan Maniku, Nuwan Jayatileke, Hussain Mohamed, Sarah Dole
Partnerships: Sanken Overseas, Solmax (Tencate Geosynthetics), Sase Construction, HIMA Holdings PVT LTD
Support from: Invena PVT LTD, Department of Architecture, MIT School of Architecture + Planning, MIT International Design Center, MIT, National Geographic , United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Press / Publications: TED, Fast Company, Dezeen, BBC, CNN (links to articles and exhibitions)
Exhibitions: La Biennale di Venezia (2021), MoMA (Broken Nature Exhibition)
Growing Food from the Ocean
With the world’s population growing and arable land diminishing due to climate change, new ways of growing food are crucial. Invena is exploring Sea Garden Cultivation, a novel approach that utilizes 71% of Earth's surface covered by saltwater to grow crops or plants.This solution not only improves food security but also increases local biodiversity, supporting a thriving, resilient environment.
Exploring
Keeping an eye out for exponential ideas that could transform the way we adapt to climate change in the areas of Food, Waste and Energy.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
Our mission is simple: solve the global issue of rising sea levels that affect the future of our planet. Through our proven solutions, we are creating a sustainable blueprint for coastline regeneration and ecosystem enhancement.
Connect with us. We would love to hear from you.
Partner with us and bring these regenerative, nature-based solutions to a coastline near you. Together, we can restore balance to the planet and safeguard our future.
Collaborate with us to develop or pilot the next generation climate tech innovation.