• eSmart Systems

  Participated · Equity · Nov 2024

  eSmart Systems provides AI-based inspection and maintenance solutions for critical energy infrastructure, serving electric utilities and grid operators. The company offers the Grid Vision® portfolio for inspection management and asset information management, using AI, machine learning, and data analytics. Grid Vision enables a data-driven, condition-based approach to infrastructure inspections. eSmart Systems positions its products and services for global utility customers. The company recently raised €30 million and plans to use the funds to accelerate growth. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Oslo, the business focuses on improving inspection and maintenance workflows for grid operators. eSmart Systems is a Norway-based firm that develops AI-driven inspection and asset-management solutions for utilities. Its core product, Grid Vision, provides inspection management and asset information management with a data-driven, condition-based approach to cut costs, improve safety, improve asset data quality, and extend asset life. The company has more than 20 years in the field and serves global customers, including Naturgy, Xcel Energy, and E.ON. Earlier this year eSmart acquired Stavanger-based Verico, an Enterprise Asset Management company, to strengthen its international presence and expand its platform. The company says the newly raised funds will accelerate commercial development and international growth. Management highlights investor strategic support and the company’s positioning to help grid operators address energy security challenges and increased infrastructure vulnerability from extreme weather. eSmart Systems, based in Halden, Norway, builds AI-powered software for inspections of powerlines, grid maintenance planning, and energy flexibility optimization. The company is led by CEO and founder Knut Johansen and delivers solutions that oversee electricity operations for 48 customers in seven countries, including Norway, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. eSmart intends to use the recent funding to expand internationally across American and European markets. The firm is a Microsoft Partner, and its CTO, Erik Aasberg, has been appointed a Microsoft Regional Director. The product set focuses on asset health monitoring and analytics to support grid operators and utilities. eSmart Systems offers a Microsoft Azure–based scalable software platform that processes, analyzes and visualizes large amounts of data in real time to optimize operation and performance of applications. The platform is aimed at the digital energy industry and smart cities. The company serves customers in Norway, Europe and the United States. It is led by founder and CEO Knut H. H. Johansen. In 2015 the company reported a turnover of NOK 40m. Following the investment by Kongsberg Digital, eSmart entered into a partnership to deliver digital development and services for advanced analytics and machine learning to power-sector customers.

• Ammobia

  Participated · Seed · Apr 2024

  Ammobia is re-engineering the century-old Haber-Bosch method to synthesize ammonia at roughly 150 °C cooler temperatures and one-tenth the pressure of conventional plants, potentially lowering production costs by up to 40%. Its technology leverages a proprietary reactor design, including a sorbent that removes ammonia as it forms, enabling smaller, modular plants and easier load-following with renewable energy. A commercial unit is planned to output 250 tons of ammonia per day, and the company has already run a laboratory-scale system for about a year. Because the process requires less extreme conditions, producers can use cheaper equipment and more readily integrate intermittent green hydrogen sources. Ammobia believes this approach could open new markets for ammonia beyond fertilizer, including industrial and transportation fuels. With fresh seed financing, the startup will build a 10-ton-per-day pilot plant that mirrors its full-scale design. No revenue or user figures have been disclosed, but the company claims its modular approach offers significant CapEx and OpEx advantages for customers.

• NanoGraf Corporation

  Participated · Series B · Feb 2023

  NanoGraf develops patented silicon-anode technology designed to enable long-lasting, high-energy, and high-power lithium-ion batteries. The company works with more than 50 companies across consumer electronics, household appliances, and power tools, and counts over 12 strategic partners in electric mobility. Led by CEO Dr. Francis Wang, NanoGraf is a spinout of Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory and is based in Chicago, IL. It recently secured a $10M contract from the U.S. government to build a large-volume silicon oxide anode manufacturing facility in the Midwest. NanoGraf raised $65M in a Series B to accelerate growth, expand operations, and broaden its business reach. The company plans to use the proceeds to scale manufacturing and commercial partnerships. NanoGraf develops a patented graphene-wrapped silicon anode battery material aimed at improving performance and runtime of lithium-ion cells for applications from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and grid storage. The company’s core product is a silicon-anode material designed to deliver higher energy and power than traditional graphite anodes. NanoGraf has positioned the technology for use across next-generation batteries and is a spinout of Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory. In July 2020 the company announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop silicon anode–based lithium-ion cells compatible with portable batteries. The DoD award underlines NanoGraf’s near-term plan to demonstrate substantial runtime gains and meet military-grade operating requirements. Financially, the company received a $1.65 million SBIR grant to fund this development work. SiNode Systems is a Chicago, IL‑based energy startup led by CEO Samir Mayekar. The company developed an advanced battery material—a silicon and graphene layered structure—originating at Northwestern University. Its technology is designed to increase the amount of energy a battery for cell phones and portable electronics can store and to enable faster charging. SiNode received an investment from Energy Foundry to accelerate development of this technology. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed. No operating metrics or additional financing details were reported in the article.

No current team members are available.