Ember is best known for its temperature-controlled smart mugs and holds over 129 granted patents around temperature control, data, and connectivity. The company says it will use new capital to commercialize technology across that patent portfolio, with particular focus on healthcare and infant feeding. Ember recently raised a $23.5 million Series E that expands its ambitions beyond consumer mugs into the cold chain and medical storage. The round was led by Foxconn subsidiary GOLDTek and included Singapore-based EDBI, and it pushes Ember’s total funding to around $80 million. Ember plans to open an R&D center in Singapore to expand internationally and has flagged cold-chain medicine transport as a key opportunity. The firm increased headcount by 76% this year; ex-Dyson exec Jim Rowan is its consumer CEO and founder Clay Alexander reiterated the company’s precision-temperature-control mission. Ember makes temperature-controlled mugs and sells them direct, on Amazon and through retail partners. The five-year-old, Westlake Village, California startup launched via an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign two years ago that raised nearly $362,000. Its mugs are sold at Starbucks across most of the U.S. and online for $149.95, and Ember says it has sold more than 20,000 units. On Amazon 186 customers have given the product a collective 3.5 stars; common customer feedback cites short battery life and long (up to two hours) charge times. Ember has discussed developing a car charger to address battery concerns. The company plans to expand its product line into a temperature-controlled baby bottle, chilled water bottles and dinner plates that can stay warm. Ember Technologies, founded in 2012 by Clayton Alexander and based in Westlake Village, California, produces a temperature-adjustable mug that maintains precise beverage temperatures. Its patented temperature-control technology combines a phase-change cooling system with an active heating system. The mug is available in select Starbucks stores and online at Starbucks.com/shop and EmberTech.com. The company raised $8.5M in funding, according to the article. Backers named in the article include several celebrity investors.

Total raised

$45M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series E

Latest activity

Dec 2021