MassVentures

MassVentures is a venture capital firm based in Waltham, Massachusetts, established in 1978 as a quasi-public corporation by the Massachusetts Legislature. The firm focuses on providing seed and early-stage funding to high-growth startups, facilitating their transition from concept to commercialization. MassVentures invests primarily in sectors such as information technology, healthcare, cybersecurity, e-commerce, mobile, manufacturing, and robotics. With a governance structure that includes an independent Board of Directors and management by experienced venture capitalists, MassVentures leverages the state's entrepreneurial spirit and innovation centers to support the Massachusetts innovation economy. The firm also offers accelerator programs to further assist emerging companies in their growth journey.

Charles Hipwood

Founder, President and CEO

Vinit Nijhawan

Managing Director

Nicholas A. Pappas

Vice President

Stacy Swider

Vice President, Investments

Priya Yadav

Vice President of Investments

Past deals in Recycling

MacroCycle Technologies

Grant in 2023
MacroCycle Technologies is a company developing a chemical recycling process to convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyester-fiber waste into virgin-grade plastics. Their proprietary technology, based on synthesizing cyclic macromolecules, enables the production of recycled PET with lower energy use than traditional methods. This process offers a sustainable, zero-carbon, and cost-competitive solution for plastic upcycling, contributing to a circular economy.

River Otter Renewables

Grant in 2023
River Otter Renewables is a recycling comany that produced biocrude oil from plant and waste as well as sewage and plastic waste.

Phoenix Tailings

Grant in 2023
Phoenix Tailings specializes in recycling mining tailings, specifically Bauxite Residue ('Red Mud'), to extract strategic materials for industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and biotechnology. Founded in 2019 with a mission to revolutionize the mining industry sustainably and economically.

Atacama Biomaterials

Grant in 2023
AI platform producing compostable and biodegradable plastic alternatives

Infinite Cooling

Grant in 2021
Founded in 2017, Infinite Cooling specializes in wastewater management and recycling. It uses high-voltage electric fields to capture and recycle vast amounts of water that would otherwise be lost at industrial facilities like power plants, data centers, and factories.

Ascend Elements

Series B in 2021
Ascend Elements specializes in manufacturing advanced battery materials using recycled lithium-ion batteries. It employs hydroprocess recycling and direct recycling methods to create new cathode materials from old ones, contributing to a more sustainable electric vehicle industry.

MSW Power

Grant in 2020
MSW Power Corporation specializes in manufacturing innovative waste management solutions. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts, the company offers a range of products designed to convert various types of waste, including paper, wood, plastic, agricultural waste, and food, into usable energy in the form of electricity and heat. Key products include the BWEC GEM, an integrated system for waste conversion, and HydroPactor, which reduces the weight of waste by removing moisture. Additionally, MSW Power features a solid waste destruction system that employs mechanical and thermal processes to eliminate moisture from solid waste. The company is committed to providing environmentally beneficial and economically viable solutions that address energy and environmental challenges.

Ascend Elements

Grant in 2018
Ascend Elements specializes in manufacturing advanced battery materials using recycled lithium-ion batteries. It employs hydroprocess recycling and direct recycling methods to create new cathode materials from old ones, contributing to a more sustainable electric vehicle industry.

ZwitterCo

Grant in 2018
ZwitterCo specializes in advanced membrane solutions for the treatment of highly impaired wastewater, enabling the reuse and recycling of water resources in industrial applications. The company's innovative reverse osmosis and nanofiltration technologies address the challenges of treating historically unfilterable streams by preventing fouling caused by organic molecules. ZwitterCo's membranes are chlorine-tolerant, back-washable, and resistant to irreversible fouling, which enhances their longevity and performance. By transforming wastewater from a liability into a valuable resource, ZwitterCo helps clients manage their water treatment needs more economically and sustainably, reducing chemical demands and improving operational efficiency.

Infinite Cooling

Grant in 2017
Founded in 2017, Infinite Cooling specializes in wastewater management and recycling. It uses high-voltage electric fields to capture and recycle vast amounts of water that would otherwise be lost at industrial facilities like power plants, data centers, and factories.

SES

Grant in 2012
SolidEnergy Systems Corp. develops and manufactures rechargeable lithium metal batteries primarily for applications in drones, wearables, smartphones, and electric vehicles. Founded in 2012 and based in Woburn, Massachusetts, the company focuses on producing high-performance lithium metal batteries and supplying essential materials, such as anodes and electrolytes, to major lithium-ion cell manufacturers. These materials can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes, allowing for scalability without significant infrastructure investments. SolidEnergy's pilot-scale production caters to prototype demonstrations and specialized aerospace markets, while its future growth is aimed at mainstream sectors like consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Additionally, the company is involved in developing AI-powered safety algorithms and recycling solutions, positioning itself as an integrated battery manufacturer with a commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Takachar

Grant in 2012
Takachar is a company focused on transforming agricultural waste into valuable products, particularly eco-friendly cooking fuel. Operating primarily in Kenya, it has developed low-cost technologies that enable the conversion of unmanaged agricultural residues into charcoal, a non-toxic and affordable energy source for low-income households. Over the past three years, Takachar has established or assisted seven locally run waste-to-charcoal enterprises, some of which have achieved operational profitability. The company has successfully created approximately 100 jobs and sold 50 tons of its eco-char product. By utilizing oxygen-lean torrefaction reactors, Takachar helps farmers reduce waste through recycling, allowing them to generate additional income while preventing open burning of agricultural residues. The company aims to demonstrate the financial sustainability of these enterprises as a foundation for expanding its franchise network in the future.
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