Participated · Equity · Jul 2022

VulcanForms has built what it calls the first fully integrated digital metal manufacturing platform in the U.S., unifying metal 3-D printing, precision machining, automation, inspection, and AI-driven software into a single end-to-end workflow. By collapsing traditionally fragmented, multi-step supply chains into one domestic operation, the company reduces cost, waste, and lead time while delivering production-grade parts with consistent quality. Its facilities already support large multi-billion-dollar commercial programs across medical devices, consumer products, aerospace, defense, and other industrial sectors, signaling strong market adoption and a shift of mission-critical manufacturing back onshore. The platform’s ability to provide secure, high-performance domestic production is positioned as a key advantage amid geopolitical and supply-chain disruptions. Newly raised capital will fund capacity expansion, materials portfolio growth, and continued R&D to advance the technology roadmap. While specific revenue figures were not disclosed, VulcanForms emphasizes scaled industrial production and surging customer demand as indicators of its financial momentum.

Led · Seed · May 2022

Optivolt is a San Francisco-based provider of shade-tolerant, full-stack solar technology that enables self-powered IoT devices, 5G infrastructure, military equipment, robotics and electric vehicles. The company has developed a full-stack shade-tolerant solar platform designed to keep machines and critical infrastructure powered through adverse conditions. Optivolt intends to use the financing to expand operations and broaden its business reach. Leadership includes founder & CEO Rohit Kalyanpur, co-founder & CTO Daniel Kofman, and COO Bobby Ram. In May 2022 Optivolt closed an $8.2M seed round, bringing total funding to date to $10.1M. Optivolt Labs has developed a scalable technology stack for solar integration that includes efficient power-transfer systems, solar developer and simulation tools, and cloud-based APIs to enable fleets to self-charge in ambient light. The company positions its tools as retrofit-friendly, able to integrate with existing batteries and device designs without major changes. Optivolt is early-stage and four people strong; founders Rohit Kalyanpur and Paul Couston dropped out of University of Illinois to start the company and entered Techstars Chicago. The team plans near-term field testing with several enterprise fleets that have signed on for pilot programs. Growth priorities include hiring additional engineering talent and validating performance in the field before broader commercialization. Founder Kalyanpur has also received mentorship and connections through a Thiel Fellowship and expects to relocate to the Bay Area soon.

Led · Series A · Feb 2022

Modumetal leverages a patented nanolamination manufacturing process to bring advanced metal coatings to industrial-scale applications. Its initial products include NanoGalv, a zinc-nickel nanolaminate deployed for corrosive service and high-strength applications, and NanoPlex, a nickel-cobalt nanolaminate for corrosion and wear resistance in subsurface applications. Led by CEO Dennis Creech, the company operates a production facility in Houston, Texas. Modumetal raised $14M in a Series A-2 financing to accelerate commercialization of its oil and gas coating solutions and to scale operations. The company intends to expand its customer base into automotive and sustainable energy end markets and grow its production capabilities. It also added two independent board members — Tushar Porwal (BrightDrop/GM) and Robert Workman (PSS Industrial Group) — to support industry expansion. Modumetal produces nanolaminated alloys through an electricity-powered, layered manufacturing process that configures raw materials at scale to achieve enhanced strength, corrosion resistance and wear properties. Its first commercial products are fasteners and connectors for high-pressure systems; it is also developing an alloy to protect pumps and valves from adhesive wear and aggressive corrosion. The company’s metals are already being used by major oil and gas firms including ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, Noble Energy and ADNOC. Modumetal operates a 30,000 square-foot production facility in Maltby, Wash., and the recent financing will be used to scale production there. The company plans to license its manufacturing process with partners globally to meet international demand and to expand into sectors such as construction, infrastructure and transportation. CEO and co-founder Christina Lomasney, a University of Washington-trained physicist who previously worked at Boeing, leads the company after more than a decade of development and testing. Modumetal develops and applies nanolaminated metal alloys—ultra-thin layered metal coatings—that increase corrosion resistance for pipes and industrial equipment. The company's process can "grow" metal over parts in layered rings, producing a metallic plywood‑like structure that can enable higher-temperature operation and improved efficiency in turbines and propulsion systems. Its coatings are being piloted by major oil and gas firms including Chevron, ConocoPhillips and BP, which have also invested in the company. Modumetal acquired related intellectual property from a Midwestern firm that went bankrupt and seized the opportunity to build the technology further. CEO Christina Lomasney, a fourth‑generation physicist, leads the company and has emphasized changing how metallurgy is studied and applied. The company says production costs for the nano-laminated alloys are comparable to existing market alternatives and is positioning the technology for broader commercial deployment. Modumetal develops non-corrosive nanolaminated coatings that the company says are stronger, lighter and more durable than steel. The technology, developed by co-founder Christina Lomasney, originated from her earlier company and is claimed to be 200–300 times better than the next best alternative. Modumetal works with partners in the transportation and energy sectors; Chevron is both an investor and a customer. The 20-person startup is headquartered in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood and is led by UW‑trained physicist Lomasney. The company is currently in a pre-specification phase, scaling up production and hosting trials to meet industry consensus-based standards. Leadership says it plans to compete on pricing, expects a major turning point in the next year to 18 months, and has recently added Concur CEO Steve Singh to its board.