ARPA-E
Grant agencyInvestment thesis
The Department of Energy's advanced-research agency, backing transformational energy technology too early for private capital. A small SBIR portfolio with strong signaling value for climate deep tech.
SBIR/STTR awards · non-dilutive funding
Federal grants and contracts to small businesses — no equity taken. Awards on record 2012–2024.
122 Phase I · 143 Phase II · 30 via STTR · most-funded states: CA, MA, NY, NC, MD
| Recent awardees | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexnode IncBethesda, MD | Phase IISTTR | 2024 | $1.9M |
| Flexnode IncBethesda, MD | Phase IISTTR | 2024 | $1.3M |
| Flexnode IncBethesda, MD | Phase ISTTR | 2024 | $306.8K |
| Ampcera Inc.Tuscon, AZ | Phase II | 2023 | $1.8M |
| JETCOOL TECHNOLOGIES INCLittleton, MA | Phase II | 2023 | $970.2K |
| Ampcera Inc.Tuscon, AZ | Phase I | 2023 | $295.5K |
| JETCOOL TECHNOLOGIES INCLittleton, MA | Phase I | 2023 | $295.5K |
| Deep Isolation, Inc.Berkeley, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $286.6K |
| Foundation Alloy Technology Explorations, IncCambridge, MA | Phase II | 2023 | $254.1K |
| Foundation Alloy Technology Explorations, IncCambridge, MA | Phase I | 2023 | $195K |
| TYFAST ENERGY CORPSan Diego, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $2M |
| SOUTH 8 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.San Diego, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $2M |
| Travertine Technologies, Inc.Boulder, CO | Phase II | 2023 | $1.8M |
| Project K Energy, Inc.Pasadena, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $1.4M |
| Phoenix Tailings, Inc.Woburn, MA | Phase II | 2023 | $1M |
| Project K Energy, Inc.Pasadena, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $924.2K |
| SOUTH 8 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.San Diego, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $883.6K |
| TYFAST ENERGY CORPSan Diego, CA | Phase II | 2023 | $554.4K |
| Global Bamboo Technologies, Inc.Ocala, FL | Phase II | 2023 | $480.7K |
| TYFAST ENERGY CORPSan Diego, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $295.9K |
| AMPHIONIC LLCDexter, MI | Phase I | 2023 | $295.9K |
| NK Labs, LLCNewton, MA | Phase I | 2023 | $295.9K |
| Project K Energy, Inc.Pasadena, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $295.5K |
| SOUTH 8 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.San Diego, CA | Phase I | 2023 | $295.5K |
| PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPAnn Arbor, MI | Phase I | 2023 | $295.3K |
| Eva Technology Corp.Boston, MA | Phase I | 2023 | $287.5K |
| Phoenix Tailings, Inc.Woburn, MA | Phase I | 2023 | $275K |
| WH-POWER INCCollege Park, MD | Phase I | 2023 | $269.6K |
| C-CRETE TECHNOLOGIES LLCStafford, VA | Phase I | 2023 | $259.9K |
| Global Bamboo Technologies, Inc.Ocala, FL | Phase I | 2023 | $259.6K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are non-dilutive — the agency takes no equity.
What they invest in
from 56 of 83 portfolio companiesCleantech ×31Energy ×25Hardware ×22New Materials ×22Climate Tech ×20Deep Tech ×20Advanced Manufacturing ×14Semiconductors ×4
HQs:United States×38
Investments · 83 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2023 · 72022 · 62021 · 302020 · 142019 · 32018 · 42017 · 72016 · 42014 · 42012 · 483 dated
Foundational Alloy develops engineering alloys through a solid-state process called MetalsFIRST, in which metal is produced without melting to create microstructures unreachable by conventional metallurgy while controlling oxygen and contaminants.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechNew Materials
Jasper Lienhard(Cofounder)Jake(Co-founder (company strategy, operations, financing, commercialization))
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesAmerica's Frontier FundBasecamp FundCastor Ventures (an Alumni Ventures Fund)El Cap EquityMaterial Impact+4 more
Advanced Cooling Technologies (ACT) develops, engineers, and manufactures thermal management products and provides related services including product development, manufacturing, and post-delivery support such as spare parts, repairs, and field servicing.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Ampcera develops scalable, low-cost solid electrolyte materials and solid-state battery technology for next-generation energy storage, aiming for higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety over lithium-ion systems.
CleantechEnergyNew MaterialsMilpitas, US
Hui Du(Co-founder, CEO/CTO)Sumin Zhu(Executive Officer, Director)Inwan Sohn(Director)Alan Zhan-Sheng Lin(Director)
Big Blue Technologies develops an electrified aluminothermic process for producing primary magnesium metal and calcium aluminate with lower energy use and emissions than the incumbent Pidgeon process.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechNew Materials
Biomason uses biotechnology to grow biocement, producing concrete and tile products by using bacteria to bind natural materials as an alternative to Portland cement, aimed at concrete producers and the construction industry.
BiotechClimate TechConstruction TechNew MaterialsResearch Triangle Park, US
Ginger K. Dosier(Executive Officer, Director)Michael F. Noel(Director)John M. Dosier(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsNovo HoldingsCarbonCelesta CapitalCelesta Capital
C-Crete Technologies is a materials science company that makes cement-free, ultra-low or negative carbon concrete using natural rocks and industrial by-products as an alternative to Portland cement.
Climate TechConstruction TechNew Materials
Celadyne develops a domestically manufactured multi-layer proton exchange membrane that reduces hydrogen crossover to improve durability and efficiency in fuel cells and electrolyzers.
CleantechEnergyNew Materials
Co-investorsManiv Mobility
Community Energy is a U.S. renewable energy developer that led early large-scale wind and later solar generation projects.
CleantechClimate TechEnergy
Co-investorsSJF Ventures
CompRex designs and manufactures compact heat exchangers and reactors using a 3D channel design and diffusion bonding, along with high-temperature filters.
Advanced ManufacturingEnergyHardware
Creare is an engineering research and development firm that solves complex technical problems and develops new technologies for industry and government customers.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Dr. Jay Rozzi(Senior Staff)Jeff Breedlove(Senior Staff)Dr. Odile Clavier(Senior Staff)Dr. Patrick Magari(Senior Staff)
Deep Isolation Nuclear, Inc. is a company whose stock trades on the OTCQB under the ticker DBHL.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechEnergyBerkeley, US
Richard Muller(Executive Officer, Director)Elizabeth Muller(Executive Officer, Director)Kent S. Cole(Director)
Co-investorsNucleation Capital
Emrgy develops a redesigned hydropower technology that lets customers generate continuous clean energy from existing water flows, supporting decentralized grid power independence.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyAtlanta, US
Emily Morris(Chief Executive Officer & Founder)inTom Cuthbert(Chief Technology Officer)in
BoardJennifer McFarlane(Director)Anastasia Istratova(Director)inJustin Wright-Eakes(Director)inBob Kelly(Director)
Co-investorsOval Park CapitalFifth WallAtlanta Technology AngelsAvila
Empower Semiconductor designs power management and mixed-signal integrated circuits, including high-power and voltage regulation devices for the semiconductor industry.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareSemiconductors
Tim Phillips(Chief Executive Officer & President, Founder)inGene Sheridan(Founder)Trey Roessig(Chief Technology Officer & SVP Engineering)Kurt Redfield(Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer)
Co-investorsCapitalGRaptor GroupSamsung Catalyst FundSocratic PartnersAtreides ManagementFidelity Investments+7 more
ESS Tech, Inc. builds iron flow battery systems for long-duration energy storage, offering up to 22 hours of storage to provide baseload power for grids, AI data centers, and communities.
CleantechEnergyHardware
Craig Evans(Founder)in
Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesCycle Capital
Frost Methane Labs installs and remotely operates cover-and-flare systems that capture and destroy methane from livestock manure storage, then sells the resulting carbon credits and shares revenue with farms.
AgTechCleantechClimate TechEnergyJuneau, US
Olga Irzak(Executive Officer, Director)Olya Irzak(Founder)in
BoardEdwin Chiu(Director)
Co-investorsLOWERCARBONLowercarbon CapitalSkyview Ventures
Co-investorsDorm RoomThe E14 Fund
College Park, US
Robert Gatte(Executive Officer, Director)Chao Wang(Director)Yunhui Gong(Director)Liangbing Hu(Director)
BoardEdmund Gaffney(Director)
iBeam Materials develops flexible LED and MicroLED devices built on metal foil, using a proprietary crystal-alignment (IBAD) process that enables roll-to-roll manufacturing.
Deep TechHardwareNew Materials
Co-investorsSamsung Ventures
InventWood produces SUPERWOOD, a wood-based structural material engineered at the nanoscale to be stronger than steel while lighter, offering properties like fire resistance and transparency for use in construction and buildings.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechConstruction TechNew MaterialsFrederick, US
LIANGBING HU(Director)Liangbing Hu(Founder)ALEXANDER LAU(CEO, President and Chairman)TIMOTHY KREBS(Secretary, Treasurer)
BoardKEVIN TIDWELL(Director)
Co-investorsBaruch Future VenturesCool Climate CollectivePulse FundDangerous Ventures
JetCool builds single-phase, direct-to-chip liquid cooling modules using its microconvective cooling technology to manage heat in high-power electronics such as data center servers, high-performance computing systems, and semiconductors.
CleantechHardwareSemiconductorsLittleton, US
Bernard Malouin Jr.(Executive Officer, Director)Jordan Mizerak(Cofounder)Alexandra Manick(Director)Lawrence Fish(Director)
Co-investorsBosch VenturesMassVenturesRobert Bosch Venture CapitalSchooner CapitalIn-Q-TelRaptor Group
Lectrolyst develops patented electrolyzer technology that converts carbon dioxide emissions into multi-carbon chemicals such as acetate and ethylene, partnering with carbon emitters and chemical consumers to produce everyday products including edible protein and plastics.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechFoodTechNew MaterialsWilmington, US
Greg Hutchings(Co-founder & President)Feng Jiao(Co-founder & Scientific Advisor)
Co-investorsThe Innovation Space
Littoral Power Systems develops, manufactures, and installs turbines, structural components, and management software for small hydropower and marine energy projects.
CleantechEnergyHardware
Living Carbon develops precision-bred tree varieties and reforestation techniques to convert marginal land into carbon-sequestering ecosystems.
Advanced ManufacturingAgTechBiotechClimate TechSan Francisco, US
Maddie Hall(Founder)in
Co-investorsCongruent VenturesDarco CapitalFloodgateHomebrewJuniperLOWERCARBON+9 more
Santa Barbara, US
Michael Wyrsta(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardK. Leonard Judson(Director)Zachary Komon(Director)
Co-investorsCycad Group LLC
Luna develops fiber optic sensing, measurement and non-destructive testing systems for physical, mechanical and temperature measurement, along with photonic testing solutions for designing and testing optical components and networks.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardware
Mainstream Engineering researches, engineers, and manufactures advanced technology products—including refrigeration and environmental control units, power converters, engines, thermal management systems, and bioenergy/sensing solutions—for government, military, commercial, and industrial customers.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechRockledge, US
Co-investorsLouisiana Funds
Michigan Aerospace Corporation (MAC) is an engineering and products company that develops sensing systems, intelligent systems, and software for space, air, and earth-bound applications.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Round Rock, US
Kevin Matocha(Executive Officer, Director)Sujit Banerjee(Executive Officer, Director)Kiran Chatty(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardChad Marak(Director)
Mori makes a silk protein-based protective coating that extends the shelf life of fresh and packaged foods.
Co-investorsAcre Venture PartnersBlindspot Ventures Management CoBluestein VenturesCollaborative FundDns CapitalThe Engine Ventures+1 more
Co-investorsBaruch Future Ventures
N5 Sensors builds wireless environmental detection systems combining its proprietary SPH chemical sensor arrays, cloud connectivity, and AI analytics to detect wildfires, air quality events, and chemical threats.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareIoTRockville, US
Abhishek Motayed(Founder (referenced))
Co-investorsMaryland TEDCOTEDCO
Nitricity produces plant-based fertilizer for agricultural use, focused on sustainable soil health for farmers and growers.
AgTechCleantechClimate TechFremont, US
Dr. Nicolas Pinkowski(CEO, Co-Founder)Dr. Joshua McEnaney(President, CTO, Co-Founder)Dr. Jay Schwalbe(CSO, Co-Founder)Nicolas Pinkowski(Founder)inJoshua McEnaney(Executive Officer, Director)Tony Etnyre(Director)
Co-investorsCongruent VenturesEnergy Impact PartnersFine Structures VenturesKhosla VenturesLOWERCARBONLowercarbon Capital+1 more
NoMIS Power designs and develops Silicon Carbide (SiC) power semiconductor devices and packaging architectures for the power electronics market, including applications such as automotive/EVs and solar PV.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductorsAlbany, US
Noon Energy develops ultra-long-duration battery storage using a reversible solid oxide fuel cell and carbon-based storage media to deliver 100+ hours of clean, firm power.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechEnergyPalo Alto, US
Christopher Ronald Graves(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Mary Kalee Whitehouse(Executive Officer, Promoter)Chris Graves(Co-founder)Kalee Whitehouse(Co-founder)Richard M. Swanson(Director)
BoardAmy Duffuor(Director)in
Co-investorsAt One VenturesAzolla VenturesClean Energy VenturesPrime Impact FundTechEnergy VenturesXplorer Capital+1 more
ORPC develops marine energy technology, including the RivGen Power System, which generates electricity from free-flowing river and tidal currents to provide baseload power for communities and industrial users located on waterways.
CleantechClimate TechEnergy
OCOchem develops an electrochemical process that converts CO2 into formic acid (hydrogen formate) using only electricity and water, aiming to undercut the cost of the fossil-fuel-based version.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechNew MaterialsRichland, US
Todd T. Brix(CEO and Co-Founder)Todd Brix(Founder)Arun S. Agarwal(Chief Technology Officer)Todd Thoreau Brix(Executive Officer, Director)Arthur Terry Brix(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJoshua Phitoussi(Director)
Co-investorsTO VC
Otherlab is an independent research and design lab that develops technologies in renewable energy, robotics, and manufacturing, incubating internal projects into spinout companies.
CleantechEnergyRobotics
Saul Griffith(Founder, Chief Scientist)James McBride(Co-founder, CTO)
QuesTek develops alloys and provides materials design and engineering services using its ICMD materials design software and Materials by Design/ICME methodologies.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechNew Materials
Scanalytics embeds thin, flexible pressure-sensor circuitry into commercial flooring underlayment to capture anonymous, high-resolution spatial and occupancy data across buildings.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareIoTPropTechMilwaukee, US
Joseph Scanlin(CEO and Director)David Webber(Chief Technology Officer)Kathy Hust(President)Daniel Neely(Director)Brian Taffora(Director)
BoardJoseph Lampen(Director)
Co-investorsCSA Partners LLCWakestream Ventures
Sequoia Scientific builds instruments and sensors for measuring and characterizing particles in water, including laser diffraction (LISST) instruments, hyperspectral absorption and backscatter sensors, and radiative transfer models used in oceanographic and aquatic research.
CleantechDeep TechHardware
Sila Nanotechnologies engineers next-generation battery materials, particularly silicon anodes, for use in electric vehicles, wearables, and other energy-intensive applications.
Deep TechEnergyHardwareNew MaterialsSan Jose, US
Gleb Yushin(Co-Founder & CTO)Gene Berdichevsky(Executive Officer, Director)inO. Abbey Omokhodion(Executive Officer)Warren DeSouza(Executive Officer)
BoardMichael L. Speiser(Director)inByron Deeter(Director)in
Co-investors8VCBessemer Venture PartnersCoatue ManagementCongruent VenturesFoothill VenturesIn-Q-Tel+5 more
SiTration develops silicon-based electro-extraction (SEE) and nano-filtration (SNF) technologies that recover metals and critical minerals from mining waste, leachate, and recycled material using electricity and no added chemicals.
CleantechDeep TechNew MaterialsCambridge, US
Brendan Smith(Executive Officer, Director)Jeffrey Grossman(Director)
BoardJacob Bro(Director)inMatthew Nordan(Director)in
Co-investorsAzolla VenturesCarbonThe E14 FundWorking Capital FundBHP VenturesExtantia Capital+1 more
Storagenergy develops advanced battery and energy storage technologies, including customized 2Ah-10Ah lithium-ion battery cells, novel electrode materials and architectures, solid oxide fuel cells, and ion-conducting membranes, with a prototype cell production facility.
CleantechEnergyNew Materials
Sylvatex develops battery materials manufacturing technology (SVX) aimed at making lithium-ion battery production more efficient and lower-cost for western supply chains.
CleantechEnergyNew MaterialsSan Francisco Bay Area, US
Co-investorsAmplify CapitalHow Women InvestVoLo Earth VenturesGolden Seeds
Triton is a defense contractor that develops mission-critical solutions and integrates emerging technology for the U.S. government and defense partners.
Deep TechDefense Tech
Twelve transforms CO2 into chemicals, fuels, and materials through carbon transformation technology.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechHealthtechNew MaterialsMoses Lake, US
Nicholas Flanders(Founder & CEO)inEtosha Cave(Founder)inKendra Kuhl(Founder)inAndrew Cleeland(Executive Officer, Director)Hanson Gifford(Executive Officer, Director)Henry A. Plain(Director)
Co-investorsBreakout VenturesDCVC (Data Collective)Dolby Family VenturesFifth WallAdvantage Partners Inc.Aera VC+16 more
Verne builds and operates behind-the-meter power generation to deliver firm, clean power.
CleantechClimate TechEnergy
Co-investorsGutbrain VenturesJuniperTrucks VCCollaborative FundNewLabUnited Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight
Wh-Power develops and commercializes battery technologies focused on energy storage.
CleantechEnergyHardware
Wright Electric develops high-power-density power systems and inverter generators for defense, aerospace, commercial, and industrial applications.
Advanced ManufacturingClimate TechDefense TechEnergyHardwareSpace TechAlbany, US
Jeff Engler(Founder/CEO)inDoug Griswold(Founder)in
Co-investorsEvergreen Climate InnovationsY CombinatorThird Sphere
ZymoChem develops bio-based materials using proprietary Carbon Conserving (C2) microbes that convert renewable feedstocks into high-value materials with increased yields.
BiotechCircular EconomyClimate TechNew MaterialsSan Leandro, US
Harshal Chokhawala(Founder & CEO)
Co-investorsAccelr8Breakout LabsBreakout VenturesCavallo VenturesDudley FundFreshTracks Capital+8 more
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Sila Nanotechnologies · startupfortune.com · Jul 22, 2026
Twelve · startupsunion.com · Jul 2, 2026
JetCool · datacenterdynamics.com · Jun 18, 2026
Empower · robberger.com · Jun 13, 2026
Verne · datacenterdynamics.com · Nov 20, 2025
Lectrolyst · news.delaware.gov · Nov 13, 2025















