About Sustainable Future Tech
A Platform Company Commercializing Breakthrough Innovations for a Sustainable Future
Sustainable Future Tech Inc (SFT) is a deeptech platform company that builds and commercializes IP-backed ventures focused on solving the world’s most complex sustainability challenges. We combine the mission-focus of a sustainability-first organization with the structural discipline of a venture creation engine—launching new companies from within, not sourcing them externally.
Our platform operates as a structured innovation pipeline that advances internally developed, IP-protected technologies from ideation to market through non-dilutive technical validation, university partnerships, and targeted commercialization support. Each venture in our portfolio is built to tackle a critical challenge at the intersection of AI, quantum computing, energy systems, and climate resilience.
We apply a stage-gate innovation framework to guide each venture from problem framing through prototyping and commercialization. These gates are informed by strategic decision and risk management (SDRM) principles, ensuring that key investment decisions reflect risk, uncertainty, and value of information.
Our model gives us multiple shots on goal, while retaining strategic control and technical focus across a unified platform.
Our Story
Founded to address hard, high-value sustainability problems, SFT was born from the insight that many transformative ideas never reach market due to lack of technical validation, risk-managed funding, or commercialization infrastructure. Our founder, John M. Willis, envisioned a repeatable innovation engine that could build world-changing ventures with platform-level discipline.
Since launch, we’ve filed foundational IP, identified key grants, and launched four focused initiatives—QILIS (AI explainability), ZNES (energy resilience), QPS (post-quantum cybersecurity), and NRM-City (climate risk intelligence). Our approach combines grant-funded validation, in-house IP development, and partner-enabled scaling.
About the Founder
John M. Willis brings a systems-level approach to innovation, grounded in over two decades of real-world execution across AI, energy, and cybersecurity. With no formal undergraduate degree, he earned more than 20 professional certifications before completing his Master’s degree with Merit. He has also undertaken advanced coursework in quantum computing, sustainability, and AI through MIT, Oxford, and Cambridge.
His platform model—now embedded in SFT—reflects a quiet but relentless commitment to solving the hard problems others avoid. His leadership style is defined by deep systems thinking, quiet resilience, and an enduring belief in building what others can’t.
Leadership Team
Our leadership team brings together a diverse group of experts with extensive experience in technology, sustainability, and business strategy. With backgrounds spanning R&D, commercialization, and strategic execution, our team is uniquely positioned to drive Sustainable Future Tech’s growth and mission forward.
John M. Willis – Founder & CEO
- Expert in strategic R&D portfolio management and IP development.
- 20+ years of experience in innovation, sustainability, and commercialization.
ORCID iD: 0009-0007-5889-9628
Alexander Flake – Patent Agent, Climate Collective
- Experienced in intellectual property strategy and patent portfolio management.
- Specializes in climate and sustainability patents.
Otto Starzmann, Ph.D. – Grant Writer & Specialist in Non-Dilutive Funding Strategies
- Expertise in securing non-dilutive funding for technology R&D.
- Extensive experience in crafting successful grant proposals for federal and private funding sources.
In addition to our named leadership team, SFT has assembled a pre-aligned group of trusted collaborators ready to support system testing, quantum development, client implementation, and strategic growth. These collaborators bring deep technical and commercial expertise and are positioned to engage as projects secure funding. Near-term roles that are critical include:
- Advisor – Stirling Engines, Investor & Strategic Partner Relationships, and SaaS GTM. Currently pro bono.
- QILIS Intern – Classical-side testing. Onboarding now.
- QILIS Circuit / Algorithm Developer – Identified. Pending funding.
- QILIS Solution Architect & Implementation Support – Identified. Pending funding.
- Chiller Modeling Consultant – External modeling resource for thermal characterization and COP validation of the ZNES refrigerant-free cooling system. Role to be contracted post-funding.
Advisory Network
Sustainable Future Tech maintains a deep and diverse advisory board of over 100 members through our partnership with AdvisoryCloud. This network spans domains including AI, clean energy, cybersecurity, finance, sustainability policy, and early-stage venture development.
Our advisors provide targeted insight on grant development, commercialization strategy, technical roadmaps, and investor alignment—enhancing our capacity to execute across multiple innovation verticals.
We selectively engage advisors as needed across project phases and welcome interest from mission-aligned experts and strategic partners.
Strategic Model: The SFT Platform
SFT creates up to four new ventures per year, with one prioritized annually for accelerated scaling.
We provide each venture with:
- Shared infrastructure (legal, technical, grant, go-to-market)
- Stage-gated development aligned to regulatory trends
- IP control and strategic alignment across the platform
- Commercialization pathways via licensing, direct sales, or spin-offs
We don’t source external founders—we build and scale the ventures ourselves.
Strategic Partnerships
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. SFT works closely with leading universities, research institutions, and industry partners to advance our R&D initiatives and support technical validation of our innovative solutions. Through these partnerships, we gain access to world-class expertise, funding opportunities, and real-world implementation platforms.
If you’re interested in partnering with us, please reach out via our Contact Us page.
Our Values & Sustainability Commitment
At SFT, we are committed to creating a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy. Our core values guide our work and define our approach to innovation and collaboration.
Our Core Values:
- Sustainability: Our north star: every venture must drive measurable impact—environmental, societal, or systemic—aligned with long-term planetary and human well-being.
- Innovation: We build where others don’t—solving unsolved, system-level problems.
- Integrity: IP-backed doesn’t mean extractive—we prioritize long-term stakeholder alignment.
- Focus: Every project is portfolio-aligned and mission-driven, not opportunistic.
- Execution: We follow a disciplined commercialization playbook that gets results.
We are dedicated to developing technologies that not only address today’s challenges but also contribute to a better, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Contact Us
To learn more about SFT, our initiatives, and partnership opportunities, please visit our Contact Us page.