The Venture Codex

Participated · Seed · Jul 2020

Calogy Solutions has developed a patent-pending thermal management solution for Li-ion batteries that can cool or heat cells at lower production cost than many current alternatives. The technology aims to improve safety, extend battery life cycle, and reduce the initial cost of electric vehicles by maintaining optimal cell temperatures. The company was founded at the Université de Sherbrooke in 2017 and is based in Sherbrooke. After a successful pre-seed round of $1.2 million, Calogy is accelerating product development and continuing field trials with an industrial partner. Management plans to bring the product to market in 2021, prioritizing the commercial vehicle market before addressing the electric passenger vehicle segment. The company has five employees (four hired as a result of this round), two part-time interns, and plans to hire three more engineering employees next fall.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2016

Wrnch builds a core computer vision engine aimed at powering augmented‑reality and VR experiences. CEO Paul Kruszewski framed the company’s mission around democratizing computer vision so smaller teams need not piecemeal solutions. The company plans to follow an engine‑plus‑content approach similar to Epic Games, helping create actual production content to draw attention to its engine. Wrnch is working with various computer vision teams on production projects and aims to enable people to create mass‑market, Magic Leap–style experiences across devices. The company announced a $1.8 million Series A led by Mark Cuban’s Radical Ventures, with participation from Aligo Innovation, gr0k, and TandemLaunch Ventures; the funding is intended to help weather commercialization and prove the business model.