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.
Continuum Ag
Seed Round in 2021
Continuum Ag, Inc. is a company focused on enhancing soil health and promoting regenerative agricultural practices through its innovative soil health data platform, the TopSoil Tool. Incorporated in 2016 and based in Washington, Iowa, Continuum Ag provides farmers with access to independent soil data and tailored agronomic recommendations. The company's offerings include web-based data mapping, unbiased soil fertility assessments, harvest analytics, scouting tools, imagery integration, and crop planning resources. Additionally, Continuum Ag supports a nationwide network of soil health-focused agronomists to expand its soil database and enhance software usability. By providing comprehensive agricultural consulting services, Continuum Ag empowers farmers to improve soil health and optimize crop yields.
Continuum Ag
Pre Seed Round in 2021
Continuum Ag, Inc. is a company focused on enhancing soil health and promoting regenerative agricultural practices through its innovative soil health data platform, the TopSoil Tool. Incorporated in 2016 and based in Washington, Iowa, Continuum Ag provides farmers with access to independent soil data and tailored agronomic recommendations. The company's offerings include web-based data mapping, unbiased soil fertility assessments, harvest analytics, scouting tools, imagery integration, and crop planning resources. Additionally, Continuum Ag supports a nationwide network of soil health-focused agronomists to expand its soil database and enhance software usability. By providing comprehensive agricultural consulting services, Continuum Ag empowers farmers to improve soil health and optimize crop yields.
MITO Material Solutions
Seed Round in 2020
MITO Material Solutions is a specialty chemical company that develops and manufactures graphene-based hybrid polymer modifiers and nano-additives to improve the durability and performance of composite materials. Its product lines include hybridized graphene oxide and epoxide-based modifiers that strengthen fiber-reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic resins, and the E-GO material used in carbon fiber components. The company also markets the T-Series nano-additives, which toughen epoxy and resin systems to increase toughness and reduce material usage. These additives are used in resins and thermoplastics such as PA66 and find applications across aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and transportation sectors, including RVs and boats. MITO was founded in 2016 and is based in Indianapolis, with an additional office in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
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.
Founded in 2012, 75F specializes in IoT-based building automation systems for commercial spaces. Its products include smart sensors, thermostats, and a central control unit, enabling real-time data collection and dynamic adjustments to HVAC performance based on occupancy and environmental changes. This results in improved indoor comfort, energy savings, and reduced operational costs.
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.
GlucanBio
Convertible Note in 2015
GlucanBio is a biotechnology company specializing in the conversion of biomass into valuable chemical products. Originating from research at the University of Wisconsin and Iowa State's Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, GlucanBio aims to produce furan derivatives such as furfural, HMF, DMF, THF, and FDCA more efficiently and cost-effectively than traditional methods. The company leverages its team's expertise in catalysis, intellectual property management, engineering scale-up, and early-stage commercialization, led by renowned catalytic chemist Jim Dumesic and industry veteran Brent Shanks. GlucanBio's innovative technology fractionates biomass under mild conditions to generate solvents directly from the feedstock, facilitating a sustainable approach for clients seeking eco-friendly alternatives.
Go Electric
Seed Round in 2015
Founded in 2011, Go Electric develops customer-side energy solutions that integrate renewable energy sources, advanced batteries, and generators. Its AutoLYNC technology synchronizes and optimizes multiple power sources to reduce costs, assure security, and enhance grid stability. Serving government, utility, and industrial applications, primarily in the New York City area.
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.
GreenLancer
Series B in 2015
Founded in 2013, GreenLancer operates an online marketplace connecting solar installers with reliable outsourcing partners for on-demand solar design and engineering services. Its platform facilitates the creation, ordering, management, and download of solar installation projects, offering clients speedy and cost-effective alternatives to traditional brick-and-mortar design firms.
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.
Igor Inc. is a developer of a power-over-Ethernet lighting platform that provides intelligent control over LED lighting systems for various environments. The platform allows users to connect Igor-enabled LED fixtures, motion sensors, and daylight sensors through a standard Ethernet network, facilitating the management of these devices via an application interface. Users can create virtual spaces to organize and control different sets of devices, such as lights, switches, and sensors, according to specific requirements. This functionality enhances operational efficiency, simplifies configuration, and supports future-proof building designs. Established in 2013 and based in Johnston, Iowa, Igor Inc. collaborates with a network of sales partners, including distributors, installers, contractors, and resellers, to deliver its innovative lighting solutions.
MeterGenius
Convertible Note in 2014
MeterGenius, Inc. is a St. Louis-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in providing insights, analytics, and tools to help homeowners manage their electricity consumption effectively. By offering a web-based platform, MeterGenius enables consumers to track their electricity usage on an hourly basis and provides actionable tips for reducing energy costs. The company also develops custom-branded customer portals for utility clients, equipping them with energy management tools, smart appliance connectivity, and incentive programs that reward users based on their electricity usage patterns. This approach not only fosters energy-conscious behavior among customers but also enhances loyalty and value for electricity providers. MeterGenius aims to create smarter energy consumers while supporting utilities in achieving their operational goals.
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.