How Ali Katel Is Future Proofing Our Cities

Discover how Ali Katel turned personal climate concerns into PGL—a groundbreaking platform that helps cities become more sustainable and livable through digital twin technology.

From witnessing his hometown in Iran transform into a desert due to poor planning, Ali channeled that pain into purpose. His company now helps urban planners across Toronto, New York, and Boston design spaces that actually work for people—predicting wind patterns, heat comfort, and energy use before breaking ground.

This Contours episode reveals the practical tools and mindset shifts that social entrepreneurs need to scale environmental solutions. Learn how Ali overcame technical pitch failures, built strategic partnerships, and created technology that turns weeks of climate analysis into hours of actionable insights.

Key insights for changemakers:

• How to translate complex technical solutions into business value
• Building resilience through collaborative problem-solving
• Turning regulatory requirements into market opportunities
• The power of "caring more" about urban design choices

Perfect for social entrepreneurs, public servants, and corporate innovators working on sustainability challenges at scale.

Visit www.pathfinders.social for Ali Katel's full story and more stories like it.