PRIME Coalition

PRIME Coalition is a not-for-profit venture capital firm established in 2014 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, it focuses on making minority early-stage investments in companies, particularly in the cleantech, business services, and energy services sectors within the United States. The organization aims to support innovative ventures that are positioned to address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices. Through its investments, PRIME Coalition seeks to foster the development of technologies and services that can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Sarah Kearney

Founder and Executive Director

Lara Pierpoint

Managing Director

22 past transactions

Tandem PV

Series A in 2025
Tandem PV is a Palo Alto, California-based developer of perovskite and silicon-based photovoltaic cells. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on mechanically stacked perovskite–silicon tandem solar panels that integrate metal-halide perovskite photovoltaics with existing silicon technology to deliver higher efficiency while reducing installed system costs.

Nitricity

Venture Round in 2025
Nitricity is an energy company focused on renewable nitrogen fertilizer production with zero carbon emissions. It develops electrified, climate-smart fertilizer products and manufactures nitric acid and ammonia, which can be used separately or combined to produce ammonium nitrate fertilizer. The approach aims to bring products closer to farmers, enable timely application, reduce runoff, and maximize nitrogen delivery on a global scale.

Noon Energy

Seed Round in 2021
Noon Energy is a Palo Alto, California-based company founded in 2018 that focuses on developing innovative flow battery technology for economical long-duration energy storage. This technology is designed to convert intermittent renewable electricity, such as solar and wind energy, into on-demand power, allowing for a more reliable energy supply. Noon Energy's rechargeable batteries utilize low-cost storage media that decouples energy and power capacity, providing long-duration storage while eliminating the need for mining precious metals. By enabling customers to scale up the use of renewable electricity, Noon Energy aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, as well as decrease pollution and emissions associated with energy production.

Sublime Systems

Seed Round in 2021
Sublime Systems is a company focused on decarbonizing cement production through innovative technology that simultaneously generates green hydrogen and reduces carbon emissions. Their approach employs an electrochemical method powered by clean, renewable energy, effectively eliminating CO2 emissions while preserving the essential characteristics and chemistry of the cement. This technology allows builders and consumers to actively participate in the transition towards a sustainable and renewable future, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Via Separations

Grant in 2020
Via Separations, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing membrane-based products for the separation of industrial liquids, aimed at enhancing efficiency in challenging industrial environments. Founded in 2016 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company focuses on industrial decarbonization through innovative chemistries that significantly reduce energy consumption in manufacturing processes. Via's technology allows facilities to cut energy usage by 90% during chemical separation, replacing traditional heat-based methods with a highly selective and robust membrane filtration system. This advancement not only helps to minimize the environmental impact of industrial processes, but it also creates additional revenue opportunities for customers. Currently, Via is conducting pilot trials at pulp and paper facilities with the goal of eliminating 100 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2050. The company has successfully scaled its technology and demonstrated working prototypes at a commercial level, having emerged from MIT's Department of Material Science & Engineering.

Clean Crop Technologies

Seed Round in 2020
Clean Crop Technologies develops an innovative cold plasma treatment that uses air and electricity to remove contaminants such as pathogens, toxins, molds, and yeasts from seeds and foods. This energy-efficient process improves crop yields, reduces food waste, enhances food safety, and leaves no harmful residues.

Verdox

Seed Round in 2020
Verdox is dedicated to reversing climate change through the development and deployment of advanced technology. The company’s proprietary electro-swing process, developed at MIT, enables carbon dioxide and other acid gases to be captured with up to 80% less energy and 70% less cost than conventional approaches.

Gradient

Venture Round in 2019
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.

Twelve

Seed Round in 2019
Twelve, formerly known as Opus 12, is a Berkeley, California-based company that specializes in recycling carbon dioxide emissions into valuable chemicals and fuels. Founded in 2015, the company has developed innovative technology that can be integrated with any source of CO₂ emissions. By utilizing only water and electricity as inputs, Twelve transforms captured carbon dioxide into essential products such as methane, ethylene, and ethanol. The firm aims to provide a cost-competitive alternative to petroleum-derived chemicals and fuels, thereby addressing carbon emissions while simultaneously creating economically viable solutions.

Leading Edge Equipment Technologies

Seed Round in 2019
Founded in 2008, this company specializes in manufacturing equipment for solar panel production. Its core technology, the floating silicon method, enhances wafer efficiency, reduces manufacturing costs and emissions.

MicroByre

Seed Round in 2019
MicroByre, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Berkeley, California. It specializes in the genetic engineering of non-model micro-species, particularly bacteria that are challenging to manipulate for industrial applications. MicroByre has developed an innovative platform for bacterial domestication, employing an automated characterization pipeline that identifies underutilized bacteria capable of efficiently converting unrefined biomasses into commodity chemicals. This platform leverages a unique dataset to inform minimally precise genetic modifications, enhancing the bacteria's flexibility, yield, and contamination resistance while reducing the need for nutritional additives. By bridging the gap between promising biological research and practical industrial applications, MicroByre positions itself as a valuable partner for various companies seeking to improve their fermentation processes and compete with traditional petrochemical synthesis.

C-Motive

Venture Round in 2019
C-Motive Technologies Inc. is a cleantech startup based in Madison, Wisconsin, founded in 2012, that specializes in the development and manufacturing of innovative electric motors. The company has created a unique electrostatic motor technology that operates using static electricity, eliminating the need for rare earth materials and significantly reducing copper usage. This advanced motor design delivers high torque density suitable for various applications, including industrial use and e-mobility, while also contributing to lower carbon emissions. C-Motive's motors utilize lightweight metals, plastics, and dielectric materials, offering twice the power at half the weight compared to traditional electric motors. With a focus on efficiency, their technology boasts over 90% efficiency in direct drive and low-speed applications, positioning C-Motive at the forefront of sustainable motor solutions.

Charm Industrial

Seed Round in 2019
Charm Industrial is a pioneering company focused on carbon sequestration through an innovative process that converts agricultural residue into bio-oil. This bio-oil is then injected into deep geological formations for permanent storage, effectively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In addition to its carbon capture efforts, Charm Industrial's technology also enables the reliable and cost-competitive production of hydrogen from biomass. By reforming the bio-oil, the company produces green hydrogen, which serves as a clean fuel and industrial chemical. This dual approach not only facilitates negative emissions but also allows industrial clients to access carbon-neutral energy solutions in a sustainable manner.

Mallinda

Seed Round in 2018
Mallinda develops recyclable and moldable composite materials for high-throughput manufacturing. Based in Aurora, Colorado, the company focuses on Pliashell, a platform of intrinsically recyclable, malleable, self-healing thermoset polymers that enable reversible prepregs and lightweight, strong, remoldable composites. Pliashell materials can be molded at relatively low temperatures and do not require a curing step, which shortens cycle times and supports high-volume production. The technology contributes to the circular economy by offering recyclable composite materials and aims to improve manufacturing dynamics for automotive and aerospace applications by enabling significant weight reductions and cost-competitive production.

Lilac Solutions

Grant in 2018
Lilac Solutions, Inc. is a mining technology company based in Oakland, California, specializing in lithium extraction technology. Founded in 2015, the company develops innovative solutions that utilize ion-exchange theory to absorb lithium from brine deposits. This technology includes ion exchange beads and continuous brine processing systems, which enable lithium producers to enhance project development, increase lithium recovery, and optimize operations. Lilac Solutions aims to support industries such as electric vehicles and renewable energy storage by providing methods that reduce both costs and environmental impact associated with lithium production.

Anfiro

Seed Round in 2017
Anfiro, Inc. is a water technology start-up based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2014. The company specializes in developing advanced reverse osmosis membranes using self-assembling polymers that are both chlorine resistant and exhibit ultra-high permeability. These innovative membranes significantly enhance the efficiency of water purification and desalination processes, allowing for reduced energy requirements and lower operating costs. By addressing the critical issue of global freshwater scarcity, Anfiro aims to provide clean and affordable water solutions, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.

Rebound Technologies

Seed Round in 2017
Rebound Technologies manufactures innovative thermal energy storage systems for commercial freezer environments and off-grid cooling. Its flagship products include IcePoint, a low-temperature refrigeration solution for supermarkets, and SunChill, an off-grid refrigeration system designed to improve agricultural productivity by removing field heat from crops post-harvest. The company's solutions are used by retail stores and farmers in the United States.

ConnectDER

Series A in 2017
ConnectDER is a solar technology company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 2011. It specializes in designing and manufacturing meter collars that facilitate the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging to residential homes and the grid. By transforming the electricity meter socket into an interconnection point, ConnectDER enhances the integration and management of DERs. The company also offers ConnectDER Cloud, a system that allows fleet operators to access metering data, manage operational parameters, and control firmware remotely. This technology improves the efficiency and resilience of home energy systems while benefiting users, the grid, and the environment.

ConnectDER

Seed Round in 2017
ConnectDER is a solar technology company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 2011. It specializes in designing and manufacturing meter collars that facilitate the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging to residential homes and the grid. By transforming the electricity meter socket into an interconnection point, ConnectDER enhances the integration and management of DERs. The company also offers ConnectDER Cloud, a system that allows fleet operators to access metering data, manage operational parameters, and control firmware remotely. This technology improves the efficiency and resilience of home energy systems while benefiting users, the grid, and the environment.

Wright Electric

Seed Round in 2016
Wright Electric Inc. is a manufacturer of commercial electric airplanes, focusing on reducing costs and emissions in the aviation industry. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company utilizes unique propulsion technology to create aircraft that eliminate emissions without relying on offsets. This innovation aims to make zero-emissions flight as economically viable as traditional fossil-fueled aviation, marking a significant step towards the electrification of the aerospace sector and fostering a sustainable future for air travel.

RedWave Energy

Series B in 2016
RedWave Energy, Inc. is a cleantech company based in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in developing innovative technology to capture and convert low-temperature waste heat from power plants into electricity. By utilizing advanced nano-antenna technology licensed from Idaho National Labs and high-speed diode technology from the University of Colorado, RedWave aims to harvest energy from the infrared and near-infrared spectrum. The company’s initial focus is on converting low-quality industrial waste heat into renewable energy, with plans for future phases that include generating electricity from visible light and developing capabilities for terahertz wave detection. RedWave Energy collaborates with MicroContinuum, a technology development firm, to facilitate the fabrication of nano-scale antennas and terahertz electronics essential for its energy capture initiatives.

Quidnet Energy

Grant in 2015
Founded in 2013, Quidnet Energy develops grid-scale energy storage systems using a unique hydroelectric technology. The company stores excess renewable energy by pumping water under pressure into underground geological reservoirs and releases it to drive hydroelectric turbines when needed. This process enables seamless integration with existing electricity-generating facilities at a lower cost than lithium-ion batteries.
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