Breakthrough Energy

Breakthrough Energy, founded in 2016 and based in Kirkland, Washington, is an impact investment firm focused on developing innovative energy solutions. It operates as part of a public-private partnership model, collaborating with governments, research institutions, and investors to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change and energy access in underserved regions. The firm invests in seed-stage, early-stage, and later-stage companies within the environmental services and cleantech sectors, aiming to create reliable and affordable energy without contributing to global warming. By leveraging scientific and technological expertise, Breakthrough Energy seeks to mobilize investment in transformative energy technologies that can provide sustainable power for all.

Vinod Khosla

Investor

Past deals in Metals and Mining

Terra CO2 Technologies

Series A in 2022
Terra CO2 Technologies is an industrial technology company that reduces material and logistics costs while reducing the environmental footprint in the cement and mining sectors. It develops innovative environmental technologies to tackle challenging environmental problems. It was founded in 2012 and employs a diverse group of engineers, scientists, and specialists to bring projects from the ideation stage to market.

KoBold Metals

Series B in 2022
KoBold Metals is investing in battery materials projects across the globe by combining basic ore-deposit science, big data, and scientific computing with patient private capital.The company's software uses datasets with conventional geochemical, geophysical and geological data in statistical association models to identify prospects to ensure a cobalt supply for the electric vehicle revolution, enabling mineral exploration companies to find new sources of cobalt through machine learning and data analysis.

Lilac Solutions

Series B in 2021
Lilac Solutions has developed a new ion exchange technology to address the challenges faced by lithium producers. Lilac's technology cuts capital and operating costs, accelerates project startup, boosts lithium recovery, and unlocks new resources. Their process is modular and can be ramped up quickly through pilot and commercial projects. Lilac is a mining technology company and is building partnerships with brine developers and operators around the world.

Redwood Materials

Series C in 2021
Redwood Materials, Inc. is a recycling and materials processing company based in Carson City, Nevada, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing sustainable methods for recycling various metals and materials, particularly from batteries and electronics, to support circular supply chains. Its focus includes lithium, nickel, copper, gold, silver, cobalt, and other critical elements used in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. By providing environmentally sound recycling solutions, Redwood Materials aims to address the increasing demand for battery end-of-life management as the number of electric vehicles rises globally. The company's innovative technology not only recycles waste but also generates essential raw materials, enabling manufacturers to create sustainable products and significantly contributing to the transition towards a circular economy.

Boston Metal

Series B in 2021
Boston Metal is a provider of industrial-scale, metals production solutions utilizing its Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) process. MOE provides the metals industry with a more efficient, lower cost, and greener solution for the production of a wide array of metals and alloys from a wide variety of feedstocks. Boston Metal was spun-out of MIT in 2012 with an investment from Ingo Wender and has since scaled the technology 1,000x and produced thousands of kilograms of metal. Boston Metal’s headquarters and industrial development center are located in Woburn, MA.

Terra CO2 Technologies

Seed Round in 2020
Terra CO2 Technologies is an industrial technology company that reduces material and logistics costs while reducing the environmental footprint in the cement and mining sectors. It develops innovative environmental technologies to tackle challenging environmental problems. It was founded in 2012 and employs a diverse group of engineers, scientists, and specialists to bring projects from the ideation stage to market.

Redwood Materials

Venture Round in 2020
Redwood Materials, Inc. is a recycling and materials processing company based in Carson City, Nevada, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing sustainable methods for recycling various metals and materials, particularly from batteries and electronics, to support circular supply chains. Its focus includes lithium, nickel, copper, gold, silver, cobalt, and other critical elements used in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. By providing environmentally sound recycling solutions, Redwood Materials aims to address the increasing demand for battery end-of-life management as the number of electric vehicles rises globally. The company's innovative technology not only recycles waste but also generates essential raw materials, enabling manufacturers to create sustainable products and significantly contributing to the transition towards a circular economy.

Boston Materials

Convertible Note in 2020
Boston Materials, Inc. manufactures 3D reinforced carbon fiber pre-pregs. The company provides Carbon Supercomposite, a magnetically assembled carbon fiber pre-preg. Its products are used in pressure vessels, marine, wind energy, aerospace, automotive, tooling, sports equipment, and general purpose applications. Boston Materials, Inc. was founded in 2016 and is based in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Lilac Solutions

Series A in 2020
Lilac Solutions has developed a new ion exchange technology to address the challenges faced by lithium producers. Lilac's technology cuts capital and operating costs, accelerates project startup, boosts lithium recovery, and unlocks new resources. Their process is modular and can be ramped up quickly through pilot and commercial projects. Lilac is a mining technology company and is building partnerships with brine developers and operators around the world.

Lilac Solutions

Series A in 2020
Lilac Solutions has developed a new ion exchange technology to address the challenges faced by lithium producers. Lilac's technology cuts capital and operating costs, accelerates project startup, boosts lithium recovery, and unlocks new resources. Their process is modular and can be ramped up quickly through pilot and commercial projects. Lilac is a mining technology company and is building partnerships with brine developers and operators around the world.

Boston Metal

Series A in 2019
Boston Metal is a provider of industrial-scale, metals production solutions utilizing its Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) process. MOE provides the metals industry with a more efficient, lower cost, and greener solution for the production of a wide array of metals and alloys from a wide variety of feedstocks. Boston Metal was spun-out of MIT in 2012 with an investment from Ingo Wender and has since scaled the technology 1,000x and produced thousands of kilograms of metal. Boston Metal’s headquarters and industrial development center are located in Woburn, MA.