Hillside Ventures

Founded in 2020, Hillside Ventures is an early-stage venture fund supporting companies founded by UConn alumni or focused on sustainability, insurtech, and edtech. The fund provides real-world investment experience for students under expert mentorship.

Mason Kolean

Managing Director of Sourcing and Diligence

Dhanush Kotumraju

Managing Director of Operations

Claudio Santaniello

Managing Director of Relations

Past deals in Connecticut

Enviro Power

Venture Round in 2023
Enviro Power, LLC is a Connecticut-based company that specializes in developing and marketing innovative heating equipment for both residential and commercial applications. Founded in 2013, the company features its flagship SmartWatt Boiler technology platform, which is designed to generate electricity at near-zero costs while meeting heating demands. This advanced system transforms conventional heating infrastructure into a dual-purpose energy platform, enabling building owners to benefit from reduced utility bills and enhanced grid resiliency. By providing backup power and supporting grid stability, Enviro Power aims to lower carbon footprints and improve energy efficiency for millions of users.

Natrion

Seed Round in 2022
Natrion designs and commercializes electrolyte and separator components for rechargeable batteries, including ion-conductive separator films and ceramic-polymer composite electrolytes that improve thermal stability and enable higher energy density. It markets LISIC, a plug-and-play solid-state electrolyte component that can be rapidly integrated into existing production lines to reduce fire risk and support adoption of advanced chemistries without costly equipment modifications. The company targets battery manufacturers and energy storage applications, delivering scalable, safer solutions that enhance performance while preserving manufacturing compatibility.
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