Department of Energy — 2019 Investments

Acellent develops embedded sensor networks in flexible circuits that can be applied to structures for structural health monitoring and real-time diagnostics in demanding environments.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareIoTCalifornia, US

Irene J. Li(President & CEO)

Advent Diamond develops and manufactures diamond semiconductor components including RF diodes, radiation sensors, and integrated circuits for telecommunications, defense, and quantum applications.

Deep TechDefense TechHardwareQuantum ComputingSemiconductors

Dr. Manpuneet K. Benipal(Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer)Dr. Robert Nemanich(Co-founder & Technical Advisor)

Advent Innovations is a women-owned technology company specializing in advanced technology solutions for farming and agriculture, serving multiple business sectors with products developed from deep expertise in hardware and software engineering.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningHardwareIoTRobotics

Ritubarna Banerjee(CEO)Malichi Flemming(Senior Hardware Engineer)Corey Leydig(Senior Software Engineer)

Akron PolyEnergy (APE) develops and commercializes polymer-based materials and solutions for energy applications such as energy storage, transmission, and emerging energy products.

CleantechEnergyNew Materials

Algenesis Labs develops plant-based, biodegradable polyurethanes and polymers designed to replace petroleum-based materials while retaining durability.

Circular EconomyCleantechNew MaterialsSan Diego, US

DSDr. Stephen Mayfield(Founder)DRDr. Robert Pomeroy(Co-founder)DMDr. Michael Burkart(Co-founder)Nicholas Sandland(Executive Officer, Director)Peter Morgan(Executive Officer, Promoter)Thomas Cooke(Executive Officer, Director)

Co-investorsBABand of AngelsCICirculate CapitalE8E8 AngelsFAFamily Angel Management FundFIFirst Bight VenturesMEMeliorate+1 more

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)inSZSumin Zhu(Executive Officer, Director)inInwan Sohn(Director)Alan Zhan-Sheng Lin(Director)

Applied Engineering Concepts, Incorporated is an engineering services company providing wireless communications and signals processing solutions to the U.S.

Deep TechDefense TechHardware

Jeff Clements(Founder & President)

Arva Intelligence runs agricultural sustainability and carbon programs, paying farmers, their advisors, and member co-ops for regenerative practices that sequester carbon.

AgTechClimate TechImpact & Social Good

Kipp & Zonen manufactures precision pyranometers for measuring solar irradiance in photovoltaic system monitoring, meteorological networks, and climate research.

CleantechClimate TechEnergyHardware

Co-investorsCECentral Texas Angel Network

BladeRunner Energy develops hydrokinetic renewable energy technology, including components and systems for clean electricity generation from water resources.

CleantechClimate TechEnergyHardware

MAMoriel Arango(Co-Founder, CEO and CTO)inMRMatt Ross(Co-Founder and COO)

BREK Electronics designs Silicon Carbide (SiC)-based power electronics using a composite architecture, producing high-efficiency, high-power-density systems such as solar string inverters and bi-directional EV chargers.

CleantechEnergyHardwareBroomfield, US

Suryakala Majeti(Executive Officer, Director)Robert Erickson(Power electronics expert (patented technology creator))Roger Bell(Executive Officer, Director)

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

Cactus Materials develops and manufactures semiconductor materials and devices, with expertise across silicon, SiC, and GaAs as well as photonics and RF power applications.

HardwareNew MaterialsSemiconductorsTempe, US

RIRafi Islam(Founder, Chief Executive Officer)Eric Sherb(Chief Financial Officer (CFO))Mohammed Rafiqul Islam(Executive Officer)

Carbon Rivers develops advanced materials including polymer composites, graphene-based materials, and specialized coatings for automotive, energy, nuclear, and defense applications.

Circular EconomyCleantechConstruction TechDefense TechEnergyNew MaterialsKnoxville, US

Bowie Benson(Founder & Chief Executive Officer)

BJ Johnson(Founder)in

Co-investorsSASand Hill Angels

Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc.

CleantechDeep TechEnergy

Composites Automation, LLC develops advanced composite materials and process technologies, including novel materials and automated composite processing solutions, serving industry and government partners.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechNew Materials

DynamiteLab (formerly PacketTotal, launched 2017) was a public PCAP analysis platform used by network and cybersecurity practitioners.

Cybersecurity

Element One develops chemochromic paints, tapes, and low-cost sensor solutions for hydrogen leak detection in industrial and emerging consumer applications.

CleantechEnergyHardwareIoTNew Materials

FarmAfield operates an online marketplace for buying and selling agricultural commodities, primarily serving farmers and ranchers seeking to connect with new markets and distribution channels.

AgTechB2B MarketplacesFintechMarketplaces

Mitch Minarick(Founder)Neil Hines(Chief Operating Officer)

Guidedwave develops ultrasonic guided wave technology for non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring across infrastructure, aviation, power generation, and manufacturing.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareState College, US

Joseph L. Rose(Founder)

Advanced ManufacturingHamilton, US

KTKEVIN TRITZ(Executive Officer, Director)HYHOWARD YUH(Executive Officer, Director)

Princeton, US

YIGUANG JU(Executive Officer, Director)Jin Yi(Director)TAO FU(Executive Officer, Director)

HydroGEOPHYSICS provides geophysical services and develops technologies for subsurface exploration and environmental assessment.

AgTechClimate TechConstruction TechDeep TechEnergyEnterprise Software

Dr. Dale Rucker(Chief Technical Officer)

IBC Materials & Technologies develops surface engineering solutions, including plasma electrolytic and PVD/CVD coating technologies, for industrial, medical, semiconductor, aerospace, and defense applications.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechNew MaterialsLebanon, US

Innerspec develops non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment and inspection services, including ultrasonic, phased array, eddy current, and laser measurement technologies for industrial asset inspection.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareIoTForest, US

Intellisense Systems designs and manufactures defense electronics and environmental monitoring systems, including meteorological/weather stations, avionics displays, and modular power management and distribution solutions.

Defense TechHardwareIoT

Jolt Energy Storage Technologies is a materials research firm developing a new class of electrochemically active organic compounds (branded PyCore) as an alternative to Li-ion and lead-acid chemistries for mobile and grid-scale energy storage.

CleantechEnergyNew MaterialsHolland, US

Thomas Guarr(Dr.)

Co-investorsMIMichigan Rise

L.Garde develops inflatable and deployable structures for terrestrial and space applications, providing research and development services.

Deep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace Tech

LiteBrake Tech develops patent-pending steel-clad aluminum (SCA) brake rotors for passenger cars and heavier vehicles such as pickup trucks and police vehicles, using an aluminum heat sink and slotted steel cladding to reduce weight, improve heat dissipation, and lower brake pad wear.

Advanced ManufacturingHardwareMobility & TransportationHancock, US

Lucendi develops AI-enabled smart measurement platforms using computational microscopy and holographic imaging for micro-object detection and characterization across various industrial and scientific applications.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareLos Angeles, US

Maxim Batalin(Executive Officer, Director)Aydogan Ozcan(Director)

BoardGilbert Hakim(Director)

Jordan Kearns(Founder)

Membrion develops Electro-Ceramic Desalination (ECD) technology that treats complex industrial wastewater by continuously separating dissolved salts and metals, enabling water recovery and reuse without replacing existing infrastructure.

CleantechDeep TechNew MaterialsSeattle, US

GNGreg Newbloom(Founder & Chief Executive Officer)inTMThomas Mitchell(Executive Officer)inWBWayne Byrne(Executive Officer, Director)inJPJohn Plaza(Executive Officer, Director)inPhillip Pickett(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardNPNic Pannekeet(Director)in

Co-investorsE8E8 AngelsFRFREEFLOWLALam CapitalPAPangaea Ventures Us Inc.PUPureTerra VenturesSASafar Partners+3 more

MiTeGen manufactures laboratory equipment and consumables for structural biology and materials research, including tools for crystallography, cryo-EM, and synchrotron beamline work.

BiotechDeep TechHardwareIthaca, US

Robert Thorne(Founder)

NAECO is a supplier of electrical contact materials and precision CNC machining services for aerospace, defense, medical, industrial controls, power distribution, and transportation applications.

Advanced ManufacturingDefense TechHardwareNew MaterialsAtlanta, US

Co-investorsSTStartX

Nikira Labs develops compact, sensitive gas analyzers and scientific instruments used for environmental applications such as air quality measurement, greenhouse gas monitoring, and industrial fence line emissions monitoring.

CleantechClimate TechHardware

Norwich Solar provides integrated renewable energy project development, financing, engineering, procurement, construction, and long-term asset management services.

CleantechConstruction TechEnergyNorwich, US

Joel Stettenheim(President)Jim Merriam(Chief Executive Officer)

NuCrypt develops quantum optical instrumentation and photonic systems for research and development applications.

Deep TechHardwareQuantum ComputingEvanston, US

Prem Kumar(Founder and former CEO)Gregory Kanter(CEO)

Datma provides a federated data collaboration platform connecting health systems and labs with pharmaceutical companies for secure access to real-world clinical and molecular data.

BiotechData & InfrastructureDigital HealthHealthtech

Co-investorsTRTRANSFORMATION CAPITAL

Onboard provides software and AI tools to help building engineers and technicians automate data integration and modeling tasks, improving building system performance and energy efficiency.

AI & Machine LearningCleantechEnterprise SoftwareIoTPropTech

Optelligent provides design and assembly engineering services for low-volume photonic and semiconductor modules, with capabilities in precision optical alignment and packaging.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSouthern California, US

Dr. Scott(Founder)Mr. Gaudette(Founder)

Optimized Thermal Systems provides heat transfer and system integration expertise for air-conditioning, heat pumping, refrigeration, and energy conversion applications.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDeveloper ToolsEnergyEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Phase Sensitive Innovations develops RF photonic devices, components, and systems for millimeter-wave imaging and wireless communications.

Deep TechDefense TechHardware

Phase3PV provides design, procurement, permitting, and installation services for residential solar systems, serving solar installers and distributors with expertise in product design, supply chain management, regulatory compliance, and factory-scale installation optimization.

CleantechConstruction TechEnergyHardware

Chicago, US

Keith Crandell(Director)Narbeh Derhacobian(Director)Gregory Johnson(Director)Samuel Wickline(Director)Kenneth Bradley(Executive Officer, Director)David Cruikshank(Executive Officer, Director)

Polaron Analytics provides data analytics platforms, machine learning solutions, and engineering services to government agencies including the Air Force, Navy, NASA, and Department of Energy.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityData & InfrastructureDefense TechGovTech

Dr. Rahul Bhowmik(Founder)Doug BrookJames GateauDr. Sushant JhaDr. Lokendra Poudel

Pyran produces 1,5 PDO (pentanediol), a 5-carbon diol made from renewable agricultural feedstocks using a proprietary chemical process, as an alternative to petroleum-derived diols.

Advanced ManufacturingAgTechCleantechNew MaterialsMadison, US

KBKEVIN BARNETT(CTO and Secretary)inMELVIN L LUETKENS JR.(Chief Executive Officer)

BoardPETER CHIDYLLO(Director)ANDREW SHAFER(Director)WILLIAM BANHOLZER(Director)THIERRY CASIEZ(Director)

Co-investorsTUTundra AngelsWIWisconsin Investment Partners

Quality Switch manufactures de-energized tap changers and switches for transformer manufacturers serving utility and industrial markets.

Advanced ManufacturingEnergyHardwareWarren, US

Horace SewellLarry Dix(Executive Director)

TEAMS-Designer is a graphical modeling and testability analysis software that enables test and design engineers to diagram system structures, behaviors, failure modes, and dependencies for complex electro-mechanical systems.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareIoTSaaS

Vista, US

Dennis Duncan Earl(Executive Officer, Director)Stanley Ellis(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)

Qunnect develops room-temperature hardware for building scalable quantum networks over existing telecommunications infrastructure.

Deep TechHardwareQuantum ComputingBrooklyn, US

MFMael Flament(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inMNMehdi Namazi(Executive Officer, Promoter)inEDEN FIGUEROA(CSO & MANAGER)NGNoel Goddard(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardNCNicole Conner(Director)inMark Tolbert(Director)

Co-investorsCICisco InvestmentsMEMEDINA VENTURESQUQuantonationAIAirbus Ventures

R-Display & Lighting develops advanced emitter materials for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel manufacturing, leveraging expertise in materials design, device fabrication, and manufacturing operations.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareNew Materials

Tommie L. Royster(CEO and Founder)Shihua Chen(VP of Material Operations)

Co-investorsE8E8 Angels

Robot Nose develops advanced sensor and detection technology leveraging expertise in photochemistry, physics, and instrumentation.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardware

Jerome Moore(Founder and President)

Sealed Optics designs and manufactures pre-mounted, permanently sealed optical products for scientists and engineers.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareNew Materials

Secmation provides AI-driven cybersecurity and electronic warfare analysis, trusted execution, and digital engineering solutions for U.S.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityDefense TechRaleigh, US

Hal Aldridge(CEO)

Skuld develops advanced manufacturing processes and equipment for metal part production, combining 3D printing with lost foam casting techniques.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareNew Materials

Sarah Jordan(CEO and Co-founder)Mark(Co-founder)

Skysun designs solar pergolas and structures that provide both shade and power for homes, businesses, and farms, using a mounting method that keeps panels off the roof while retaining roughly 90% efficiency.

AgTechCleantechEnergy

Southeastern Biochemicals uses a hybrid chemical-biological process to convert mixed plastic waste into commodity biochemicals such as fatty acids, glycerin, and high-value chemical derivatives, without requiring plastic separation.

Circular EconomyCleantechNew Materials

Interlink Electronics manufactures sensors and printed electronic solutions for force sensing, position control, gas detection, smart textiles, and human-machine interfaces across medical, industrial, automotive, and IoT markets.

Deep TechHardwareIoTMedical DevicesSemiconductors

Co-investorsRORockies Venture Club

STF Technologies provides soft matter innovation services including product development consulting, rapid prototyping, materials testing, and manufacturing scale-up support for companies in polymer and textile industries.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechHardwareNew MaterialsDelaware, US

Dr. Richard D. Dombrowski(Co-founder)Dr. Norman J. Wagner(Co-founder)

Supercool Metals makes lightweight, high-strength, geometrically complex hardware components and subsystems using a patented manufacturing process, offering end-to-end capabilities from material science to finished assemblies.

Advanced ManufacturingHardwareNew Materials

Co-investorsOKOK Computer

SusMer develops next-generation polymers, using a proprietary chemical process to manufacture P4HB, for the medical and surgical device industry.

BiotechMedical DevicesNew Materials

Co-investorsCOColorado BioScience Association

Susteon provides R&D, engineering, and licensing services for chemical processes and materials, with expertise in hydrogen production, CO2 capture and conversion, and custom catalyst and sorbent creation.

CleantechClimate TechDeep TechNew Materials

Revr (SynVitro Bio) designs functional proteins by combining AI models with large-scale biophysical data generated from an automated wet lab platform, using a closed-loop process to speed up protein refinement.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtechSan Leandro, US

ZSZachary Sun(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Nemzek(Executive Officer, Director)Corinna Chen(CEO)

BoardFDFrancisco Dopazo(Director)in

Co-investorsHUHumboldt

Tectonicus is an architecture and design practice presenting a portfolio of projects spanning buildings, cultural centers, residences, and solar energy installations such as solar carports and the Solar River initiative.

CleantechConstruction TechEnergyTucson, US

TEVERRA provides subsurface engineering solutions for the energy industry, focusing on geothermal energy and carbon storage through advanced geomechanical analysis and consulting services.

AI & Machine LearningCleantechClimate TechEnergyAtlanta, US

Hamed Soroush(CEO)Salah Faroughi(Lead Scientist)

TexPower manufactures cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, including cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP), LMFP, and nickel manganese aluminum (NMA) oxide, using licensed IP from UT Austin.

CleantechEnergyNew MaterialsHouston, US

Arumugam Manthiram(Co-founder)Dr. Li(Founder)

Equity is an employee-owned engineering and asset integrity consulting firm serving the refining, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, and process-intensive industries across North America.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechEnergyEnterprise SoftwareSaaSCleveland, US

David Osage(Technical Fellow)

Urban Electric Power manufactures modular, rechargeable zinc-based battery energy storage systems for commercial, industrial, and off-grid applications.

CleantechEnergyHardwarePearl River, US

ACAlexander Couzis(Executive Officer, Director)inSBSanjoy Banerjee(Director)inAnn Marie Scuderi(Executive Officer)

BoardDavid Elliman(Director)Jamshyd Godrej(Director)TBThomas Baruch(Director)in

Co-investorsBABaruch Future VenturesCYCycad Group LLC

Vermont Photonics is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Möller-Wedel Optical's precision optical testing and metrology equipment, serving customers in laboratory and field applications.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsVermont, US

Wasatch Molecular Incorporated develops materials modeling and simulation tools spanning ab initio quantum chemistry to continuum engineering, specializing in molecular and continuum simulations of polymers, energetic materials, electrolytes and ionic liquids, with emphasis on lithium ion and lithium metal batteries.

Deep TechEnergyNew MaterialsSalt Lake City, US

Wingbrace develops a decision intelligence platform with data transformation and content discovery tools designed for government and secure environments, including on-premise and cloud deployments across multiple classification levels.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDefense TechDeveloper ToolsGovTechArlington, US

Peter Schnorr(Founder)KristinKeithLarryFrank

Xage builds zero trust access and security solutions to protect critical infrastructure systems and prevent cyberattacks.

CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareIoTSaaSPalo Alto, US

RARoman Arutyunov(Executive Officer)inSISusanto Irwan(Executive Officer, Director)inSriinDGDuncan Greatwood(Executive Officer, Director)inDorea El-Sayed(Executive Officer)Norman Thorlakson(Executive Officer)

Co-investorsCICity LightMAMarch Capital PartnersMOMomenta VenturesPIPiva CapitalSASaints CapitalTHThe Hive+8 more

Zettar develops data movement hardware and software that transfers massive datasets at high speed and throughput for data-intensive scientific infrastructure and AI workloads.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeep TechEnterprise Software

Dr. Chin Fang(CEO)