ARPA-E
Grant agencyFind your way into ARPA-E
Investment 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 |
| AMPHIONIC LLCDexter, MI | Phase I | 2023 | $295.9K |
| TYFAST ENERGY CORPSan Diego, CA | 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 59 of 85 portfolio companiesCleantech ×35Hardware ×31Deep Tech ×30Energy ×30New Materials ×26Climate Tech ×21Advanced Manufacturing ×18Semiconductors ×8
HQs:United States×53
Investments · 85 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2023 · 72022 · 62021 · 302020 · 142019 · 32018 · 42017 · 72016 · 42014 · 42012 · 483 dated
Serinus Labs develops semiconductor-based sensing systems that detect and interpret chemical signals for practical applications.
CleantechDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsBerkeley, US
Hossain Fahad(Founder)in
Co-investorsTaiwan Global Angels
Zepsor develops zero-power sensor technology that dramatically reduces battery consumption for IoT and sensing applications.
Deep TechHardwareIoTBoston, US
Matteo Rinaldi(Co-Founder & CEO)inZhenyun Qian(Co-Founder & CTO)in
Co-investorsRaptor GroupSilicon Catalyst
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 VenturesEl Cap EquityMaterial Impact+6 more
ACT is a manufacturing company with over 220 employees and extensive facility operations focused on reducing environmental impact through energy conservation, recycling programs, and community sustainability initiatives.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechHardwareImpact & Social GoodSpace TechLancaster, US
Scott Garner(Co-founder, Vice President of Industrial Products Group)Jon Zuo(President and Chief Technical Officer)
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)inSumin Zhu(Executive Officer, Director)inInwan 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)inMichael F. Noel(Director)John M. Dosier(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsNovo HoldingsCarbonCelesta CapitalCelesta Capital
C-Crete manufactures a cement-free, ultra-low carbon concrete that matches conventional concrete in cost and performance for construction applications.
CleantechClimate TechConstruction TechNew Materials
Celadyne develops thin, durable proton exchange membranes used in fuel cells, electrolyzers, and flow batteries, with hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis as initial applications.
CleantechEnergyNew MaterialsChicago, US
Gary Ong(Founder & CEO)inCorey Staller(CTO)in
Co-investorsShell VenturesSputnik ATXManiv MobilityDynamo Ventures
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 diffusion bonding and brazed plate fin technology for high-temperature and high-pressure industrial applications.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechDeep TechEnergyHardwareLa Crosse, US
Zhijun Jia(CEO and Founder)
Creare is an engineering and research company with advanced laboratory and fabrication facilities for experimental work across scales and temperatures.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareHardwareNew MaterialsSpace TechHanover, US
Dr. Jay Rozzi(Vice President, Principal Engineer)Jeff Breedlove(Senior Staff)Dr. Odile Clavier(Senior Staff)Dr. Patrick Magari(President, Principal Engineer)
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)inElizabeth Muller(Executive Officer, Director)inKent 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)inTrey 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 VenturesSand Hill AngelsCycle 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
HighT-Tech develops advanced battery membranes and components using ultra-high strength (UHS) technology to improve performance, safety, and lifespan in battery applications.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechDeep TechEnergyHardwareNew MaterialsCollege Park, US
Robert Gatte(Executive Officer, Director)Chao Wang(Co-Founder)Yunhui Gong(Director)Liangbing Hu(Co-Founder)in
BoardEdmund Gaffney(Director)
iBeam Materials develops ion-beam crystal alignment technology for manufacturing high-performance gallium nitride (GaN) devices on large-area substrates, enabling low-cost microLED displays and semiconductor applications.
Deep TechHardwareNew MaterialsSemiconductorsSanta Fe, US
Vladimir Matias(Founder & CEO)
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(Founder)inALEXANDER LAU(CEO, President and Chairman)TIMOTHY KREBS(Secretary, Treasurer)
BoardKEVIN TIDWELL(Director)
Co-investorsBaruch Future VenturesCool Climate CollectivePulse FundDangerous Ventures
JetCool designs direct-to-chip liquid cooling modules that use microconvective cooling technology to reduce energy consumption, water usage, and carbon footprints in high-power electronics.
CleantechDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsLittleton, US
Bernard Malouin Jr.(Executive Officer, Director)Jordan Mizerak(Cofounder)inBernie Malouin(Founder & CEO)inAlexandra Manick(Director)inLawrence Fish(Director)
Co-investorsBosch VenturesMassVenturesRobert Bosch Venture CapitalSchooner CapitalIn-Q-TelRaptor Group
Kyma Technologies develops and supplies crystalline semiconductor materials—gallium nitride (GaN), aluminum nitride (AlN), and gallium oxide (Ga2O3)—for use in power electronics, RF devices, and optoelectronic applications.
Deep TechEnergyHardwareNew MaterialsSemiconductorsDurham, US
Heather Splawn(Co-founder)Jacob LeachGregg DodsonJerome CuomoMark Williams
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)inFeng Jiao(Co-founder & Scientific Advisor)in
Co-investorsThe Innovation Space
Littoral Power Systems develops and manufactures products for hydropower and ocean energy projects that reduce construction time, cost, and regulatory complexity.
CleantechEnergyHardware
David Duquette(CEO)
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 Innovations develops fiber optics, nanomaterials, and precision assembly solutions across multiple technical domains.
Advanced ManufacturingData & InfrastructureDeep TechHardwareNew Materials
Kevin Ilcisin(President and Chief Executive Officer)Will Denman(Senior Vice President, General Manager, Optical Communications Testing Business Unit)
Mainstream Engineering develops and manufactures thermal management, power systems, refrigerated containers, and specialty products for government, military, commercial, and industrial applications.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechEnergyHardwareRockledge, 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+2 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))in
Co-investorsMaryland TEDCOTEDCO
Nitricity produces plant-based fertilizer for agricultural use, focused on sustainable soil health for farmers and growers.
AgTechCleantechClimate TechFremont, US
Dr. Joshua McEnaney(President, CTO, Co-Founder)inDr. Jay Schwalbe(CSO, Co-Founder)Nicolas Pinkowski(Founder)in
BoardShayle Kann(Director)inRajesh Swaminathan(Director)inTony Etnyre(Director)
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesCongruent VenturesEnergy Impact PartnersFine Structures VenturesKhosla VenturesLOWERCARBON+2 more
NoMIS Power develops Silicon Carbide power semiconductor devices and packaging for high-performance applications including AI data centers, EV fast charging, industrial motors, and defense systems.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechEnergyHardwareSemiconductorsAlbany, US
Dr. Adam J Morgan(Co-founder, CEO, & Technical Lead for Packaging Design)Dr. Woongje Sung(Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer)Gehan Wanduragala(Co-founder, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer)Dr. Anant Agarwal(Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer)Dr. Shahedipour-Sandvik(Co-Founder)
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
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 renewable energy technology and is collaborating on microgrid solutions with industry partners like Schneider Electric.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyHardware
Christopher R. Sauer(Co-founder, CEO and Board Chairman (retired 2020))John R. Cooper(Co-founder)Paul H. Wells(Co-founder)
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)Arun S. Agarwal(Chief Technology Officer)Arthur Terry Brix(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJoshua Phitoussi(Director)inA.T. "Terry" Brix(Chairman & Chief Strategy Advisor)
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)
Precision Combustion develops advanced catalytic reactors and combustion systems for fuel processing, power generation, emission control, and air purification across aerospace, energy, and industrial applications.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechDeep TechDefense TechEnergyHardwareNorth Haven, US
QuesTek provides Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) solutions to accelerate the design, development, and certification of novel materials.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechNew MaterialsChicago, US
Greg OlsonCharlie KuehmannRay GenellieCharlie West
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)inKathy Hust(President)Daniel Neely(Director)Brian Taffora(Director)
BoardJoseph Lampen(Director)in
Co-investorsCSA Partners LLCWakestream Ventures
Sequoia Scientific develops optical sensing instruments and platforms for oceanographic research, environmental monitoring, and climate science applications.
AgTechCleantechClimate TechData & InfrastructureDeep TechHardwareImpact & Social GoodBellevue, US
Yogesh C. Agrawal(Founder and President (Emeritus))Yogi AgrawalChuck Pottsmith(VP, Operations)
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)inGene Berdichevsky(Executive Officer, Director)inO. Abbey Omokhodion(Executive Officer)inWarren DeSouza(Executive Officer)in
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)inJeffrey Grossman(Director)
BoardJacob Bro(Director)inMatthew Nordan(Director)in
Co-investorsAzolla VenturesCarbonThe E14 FundWorking Capital FundBHP VenturesExtantia Capital+1 more
Storagenergy develops advanced materials and electrochemical devices for energy storage applications.
CleantechDeep TechEnergyNew 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)in
BoardMarc-Henri Galletti(Director)Nimesh Shah(Director)
Co-investorsBreakout VenturesDCVC (Data Collective)Dolby Family VenturesFifth WallAdvantage Partners Inc.Aera VC+25 more
Verne develops cryo-compressed hydrogen storage and densification equipment for low-cost hydrogen distribution to industrial users, heavy-duty vehicles, and off-road equipment.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyHardwareSan Francisco, US
Co-investorsCollaborative FundNewLabUnited Airlines Ventures Sustainable FlightGutbrain VenturesJuniperTrucks VC
Wh-Power develops advanced battery technology with enhanced energy density and improved performance across temperature ranges, using interhalogen-based innovations licensed from university research.
CleantechDeep TechEnergyHardwareNew MaterialsCollege Park, US
Chunsheng Wang(Co-Founder, Advisor)Liangbing Hu(Co-Founder, Advisor)Robert Briber(Co-Founder, Advisor)
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-investorsAAF Management Ltd.Evergreen 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)in
Co-investorsAccelr8Breakout LabsBreakout VenturesCavallo VenturesDudley FundFreshTracks Capital+8 more
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Mori · theglobeandmail.com · Aug 5, 2026

Sila Nanotechnologies · startupfortune.com · Jul 22, 2026
Twelve · startupsunion.com · Jul 2, 2026
JetCool · datacenterdynamics.com · Jun 18, 2026
Verne · datacenterdynamics.com · Nov 20, 2025
Lectrolyst · news.delaware.gov · Nov 13, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has ARPA-E made?
- ARPA-E has 85 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited.































































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