Renewance
Series A in 2024
Renewance provides software and professional services for battery lifecycle management, offering an online platform that connects clients with defect or end-of-life industrial batteries to logistics providers and battery recyclers. The company delivers turnkey recycling solutions, a partner network for packaging, transport, recycling, and regulatory obligations, and lifecycle services such as asset retirement obligation forecasting and regulatory compliance management, supporting battery energy storage and electric vehicle industries. Founded in the mid-2010s and based in Illinois, Renewance helps organizations manage end-of-life liabilities and pursue sustainable, compliant recycling across the battery value chain.
NanoGraf Corporation is a materials science company based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on the development and commercialization of advanced materials for the energy storage market. Founded in 2012, the company specializes in silicon-graphene electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. NanoGraf has created a high energy density silicon-based anode material that presents a promising alternative to traditional graphitic-based anodes. This innovative technology has applications across various sectors, from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. The company's materials are designed to enhance battery capacity and reduce charging times, enabling the production of lithium-ion batteries through a cost-effective, chemistry-based manufacturing process.
NUMiX MATERIALS
Grant in 2020
NUMiX MATERIALS is a water treatment company that specializes in manufacturing and supplying sorbents to remove dissolved heavy metals from contaminated water. It focuses on RCRA, Water, Sorbents, Pretreatment, and Metals.
It was founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Renewance
Seed Round in 2020
Renewance provides software and professional services for battery lifecycle management, offering an online platform that connects clients with defect or end-of-life industrial batteries to logistics providers and battery recyclers. The company delivers turnkey recycling solutions, a partner network for packaging, transport, recycling, and regulatory obligations, and lifecycle services such as asset retirement obligation forecasting and regulatory compliance management, supporting battery energy storage and electric vehicle industries. Founded in the mid-2010s and based in Illinois, Renewance helps organizations manage end-of-life liabilities and pursue sustainable, compliant recycling across the battery value chain.
Sigora
Venture Round in 2018
Sigora is a provider of utility-management systems designed specifically for frontier markets. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers a platform that transforms energy access into viable business opportunities for both established urban grid utilities and rural micro-grid developers. By utilizing specialized hardware, web-managed software, and straightforward payment solutions, Sigora's system enhances operational efficiency for energy providers in emerging markets. It streamlines bill collection, minimizes revenue losses, and helps prevent energy theft. Sigora's innovative technology acts as an essential operating system for financeable micro-utility business models, enabling corporate clients and energy industry stakeholders to manage their resources more effectively.
Aker Technologies
Convertible Note in 2017
Aker Technologies Inc. is a company dedicated to providing advanced crop intelligence and in-season analytical tools for agricultural operations. Established in 2014 and based in Winnebago, Minnesota, with an additional office in Chicago, the firm focuses on enhancing precision farming practices through innovative technology. Aker Technologies has developed patented computer vision and biometric sensors, alongside software solutions that detect, classify, and measure various agricultural challenges, including pest pressure, airborne pathogens, crop diseases, and fertility issues within crop canopies. The company's services also include a customer service platform tailored for chemical suppliers, agricultural retailers, and consultants, facilitating support for growers throughout the growing season.
NETenergy
Seed Round in 2016
NETenergy is a thermal energy storage company based in Chicago, IL, specializing in innovative technology that aims to reduce energy consumption in buildings. The company's core product, a thermal battery, is designed to store cold energy during off-peak hours. This stored energy can then be used to cool buildings during peak hours when energy costs are elevated. By utilizing this technology, building owners can achieve significant savings on their energy bills while also contributing to lower carbon emissions.
AMPY is a wearable motion charger that captures its users’ energy from daily activities to charge their smartphones. The wearable device has won numerous awards, and the team was named to Forbes 30 under 30 in Energy. Its team is already scaling down the technology inside of AMPY to power wearable devices
AMPY was founded in 2013 by Tejas Shastry, Mike Geier, and Alex Smith. It is based in Chicago, I.L.
NanoGraf
Convertible Note in 2015
NanoGraf Corporation is a materials science company based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on the development and commercialization of advanced materials for the energy storage market. Founded in 2012, the company specializes in silicon-graphene electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. NanoGraf has created a high energy density silicon-based anode material that presents a promising alternative to traditional graphitic-based anodes. This innovative technology has applications across various sectors, from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. The company's materials are designed to enhance battery capacity and reduce charging times, enabling the production of lithium-ion batteries through a cost-effective, chemistry-based manufacturing process.
AllCell
Convertible Note in 2014
AllCell Technologies, established in 2001 and headquartered in Chicago, specializes in designing and manufacturing lithium-ion battery packs for transportation and renewable energy sectors. The company's core product is energy storage systems, catering to automotive applications, electric bikes, scooters, and motorcycles. AllCell's competitive edge lies in its proprietary thermal management technology, which enhances battery safety, extends cycle life, and enables compact, lightweight designs. The company primarily sells its products through manufacturers, distributors, and bike shops.
Agentis Energy
Grant in 2014
Agentis, Inc. is a technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in software solutions for energy providers. Founded in 2009, Agentis develops software-as-a-service (SaaS) tools designed to enhance customer engagement and enable businesses to effectively manage their energy usage. Its offerings include a customer engagement portal, a business energy report builder, an advisor portal, and contractor connect services, all leveraging advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data. By focusing on the unique needs of utility customers facing complex energy challenges, Agentis aims to empower utilities to harness valuable data, improve customer interaction, and drive actionable insights for better energy management. The platform provides features for identifying key customer accounts, analyzing energy consumption, and facilitating engagement, thereby helping energy companies reduce costs and enhance their competitive advantage.
AMPY is a wearable motion charger that captures its users’ energy from daily activities to charge their smartphones. The wearable device has won numerous awards, and the team was named to Forbes 30 under 30 in Energy. Its team is already scaling down the technology inside of AMPY to power wearable devices
AMPY was founded in 2013 by Tejas Shastry, Mike Geier, and Alex Smith. It is based in Chicago, I.L.