In a bid to promote sustainability, Selina Tobaccowala was inspired by her daughter's reminders to conserve energy at home. After successfully selling her previous venture, Gixo, she sought a new challenge in the realm of climate awareness. "I realized there had to be more impactful ways to encourage energy savings beyond just turning off lights," she shared with TechCrunch.
Despite lacking a formal background in climate science or engineering, Tobaccowala leveraged her expertise in surveys to gather insights from potential users. "I conducted extensive surveys," she noted, drawing from her experience as the former president and CTO of SurveyMonkey.
The feedback revealed a common struggle: many individuals found it difficult to reduce their utility expenses. "Consumers often expressed frustration upon receiving notifications that they were spending more than their neighbors, yet felt unsure about how to address it," she explained.
To tackle this issue, Tobaccowala co-founded HomeBoost, a company designed to empower homeowners to perform their own energy assessments. The initiative was showcased as part of the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.
HomeBoost's assessment process kicks off with a BoostBox, which is sent to customers. This kit includes an infrared camera, a blacklight, and an app that guides users through the assessment. As users navigate their homes, the infrared camera identifies areas where air leaks occur, while the blacklight highlights potential lighting upgrades.
Once the assessment is completed, the app generates a tailored report recommending cost-effective upgrades, including local rebates based on the user's location.
While many utilities offer similar services, the quality can vary significantly. Tobaccowala emphasized, "Consumers who received traditional assessments often felt pressured to invest in upgraded HVAC systems."
The HomeBoost app is designed to be both affordable and efficient, giving users more control over the process. For just $99, customers can access the service, which is significantly cheaper than conventional assessments. Additionally, partnerships with various utilities help subsidize costs for customers. For instance, Omaha Public Power District covers most of the fee, ensuring that users only pay a nominal amount.
However, not every homeowner is inclined to conduct the assessment independently. Recognizing this, HomeBoost has also developed a professional version of its app, enabling auditors to assist more clients effectively.
Furthermore, the company is exploring a feature that connects homeowners with contractors who can implement the recommended upgrades. This collaboration not only benefits contractors by providing them with potential projects but also equips them with initial insights before visiting the property.
By fostering connections among consumers, utilities, and contractors, Tobaccowala envisions HomeBoost as a catalyst for positive climate action. "This unique collaboration aims to lower utility bills, which ultimately contributes to environmental improvement," she stated.
