Dangerous Ventures

Hydrosonics specializes in developing innovative electrolysis technology for on-site hydrogen production, aimed at reducing costs and carbon footprints. The company focuses on creating small-scale, economical methods for generating hydrogen that can seamlessly integrate with renewable electricity sources. By controlling the electrode chemistry in a liquid alkaline electrolyzer, Hydrosonics makes green hydrogen more affordable and accessible for a wide range of applications, including off-grid and remote operations. This technology enables businesses to enhance hydrogen production while effectively adapting to the varying conditions of renewable energy generation.

Epistemix is a Pittsburgh-based company founded in 2018 by John Grefenstette and John Cordier. It specializes in providing analytical tools that simulate the spread of diseases, ideas, and behaviors within communities. The company operates a simulation platform designed to model realistic scenarios, allowing users to compare different interventions and effectively communicate the results. By enabling customers to build various scenarios and forecast their outcomes, Epistemix supports strategic decision-making and enhances consumer demand forecasting, among other applications.

Gradient’s mission is to cool the world by transforming every home to be more comfortable and healthy for the people who inhabit it — without compromising the environment. Today, heating and cooling equipment emits more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector, and expansion in the use of cooling is projected to double these emissions in the next 30 years. However, comfortable buildings are critical for health and productivity, especially among communities that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Gradient’s vision is a future where everyone has access to comfortable buildings that are fully decarbonized. Our launch product is a direct-to-consumer high-efficiency and low-carbon heat pump.

Harvest Thermal develops a control system for home use that integrates heating, hot water, and cooling with thermal storage. Its Harvest Thermal Pod is a cloud-connected IoT device that is machine learning enabled. It aims to provide affordable and low-carbon heating, hot water, and cooling systems that reduce the impact on the planet while providing comfort and safer homes.

Channing Street Copper Company, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, specializes in manufacturing energy-efficient home electrification products, primarily focusing on replacing gas ranges with innovative electric appliances. The company offers Energy Storage Equipped (ESE) induction cookers that directly heat cookware using electricity, allowing for a more efficient cooking process. These induction cookers are designed for easy installation and provide features such as battery backup, ensuring functionality even during power outages. By promoting the use of electric ranges, Channing Street Copper aims to help homeowners save money, enhance indoor air quality, and reduce their overall carbon footprint.

Enduring Planet is a not-for-profit venture capital firm based in Portland, Oregon, founded in 2021. The company specializes in providing fast and flexible capital to climate entrepreneurs, focusing on the transition to a low-carbon economy. It offers advances against climate grants and contracts from U.S. state and federal agencies, considering additional government grants on a case-by-case basis. Enduring Planet invests in various sectors within the New Climate Economy, supporting teams engaged in mitigation, removal, adaptation, and resilience efforts. The firm places a strong emphasis on backing underrepresented founders and diverse teams, particularly those serving marginalized communities, to foster inclusive growth in the climate technology sector.

Sensate is a London‑based company that designs a palm‑sized wearable device and companion app to reduce stress, anxiety, and improve sleep and concentration. The device sits on the chest and delivers sub‑audible tones that stimulate the vagus nerve, providing real‑time relaxation. It is part of BioSelf Technology’s product line and offers a subscription service alongside the hardware.

Overview Energy is an aerospace startup focused on developing innovative energy solutions aimed at providing alternatives to traditional fossil fuels for heating, powering homes, and fueling vehicles. The company specializes in energy conversion technologies and management systems designed to optimize energy consumption. Additionally, Overview Energy operates within the satellite communication industry, working on advanced manufacturing technologies to build a constellation of large, deployable satellites. This dual focus positions the company to address fundamental challenges in aerospace energy systems while catering to the broader needs of the aviation and transportation sectors.

Safire Technology Group specializes in the development of lithium-ion electrolyte additive technology aimed at enhancing battery safety. Their innovative technology prevents explosions and fires by facilitating an instantaneous transformation from liquid to solid upon mechanical impact, providing an additional layer of protection. This advancement not only enhances the safety of batteries but also imparts ballistic protection, making electric applications safer and more reliable. The company's solutions are designed to deliver cost-effective and higher-performing outcomes for clients in the electric applications sector.

Hiki, Inc. operates a mobile application designed specifically for the autistic community, facilitating friendship and dating among neurodivergent adults. Launched in 2016 and based in Asheville, North Carolina, Hiki was developed in collaboration with autistic adults to ensure its features are sensory aware and effectively address their unique needs. The application allows users to create profiles, engage in private messaging, and connect with others in their geographical area, fostering a supportive social ecosystem. As the first platform of its kind, Hiki aims to empower autistic individuals to find friendship, love, and community in a safe and inclusive environment.

Overview Energy is an aerospace startup focused on developing innovative energy solutions aimed at providing alternatives to traditional fossil fuels for heating, powering homes, and fueling vehicles. The company specializes in energy conversion technologies and management systems designed to optimize energy consumption. Additionally, Overview Energy operates within the satellite communication industry, working on advanced manufacturing technologies to build a constellation of large, deployable satellites. This dual focus positions the company to address fundamental challenges in aerospace energy systems while catering to the broader needs of the aviation and transportation sectors.

Verdi is a developer of advanced data science platforms focused on enhancing precision agriculture, particularly in irrigation management. The company creates scalable control systems that facilitate plant-level healthcare and automation, even in challenging farming environments. By leveraging geospatial analytics, Verdi's network of irrigation valves allows farmers and growers to make informed irrigation decisions. This innovative approach enables users to customize water and fertilizer application at the individual plant level, thereby optimizing cultivation processes. Verdi aims to empower agricultural professionals with the tools needed to effectively build, manage, and scale their farming operations.

Spartan Radar develops software algorithms that enhance radar sensing capabilities. Leveraging machine learning and edge-processing, its technology mimics human focus to safely respond to obstacles. It improves resolution, response time, and range of existing ADAS sensors at an affordable cost with minimal computational overhead.

PowerX is a developer of an energy management system focused on optimizing heating systems and reducing costs associated with water heating. The system can be integrated with existing water heaters, allowing it to learn users' preferences for water temperature and heat only the necessary amount of water. This approach not only helps customers save on their water heating bills but also contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, PowerX intelligently purchases surplus electricity at the lowest prices, further enhancing its energy efficiency and cost-saving capabilities.