• Fourth Power

  Participated · Series A · Dec 2023

  Fourth Power is a four-year-old startup based in Cambridge, Massachusetts that is building grid-scale thermal batteries designed for eight-plus hours of discharge. The system stores electricity by heating carbon blocks in argon-filled, insulated chambers and later pumps 2,400 °C molten tin through graphite pipes; thermophotovoltaic cells then convert the emitted infrared heat back into electricity. Thanks to an insulation layer made from petroleum coke, the battery loses only about 1 % of its stored energy per day. The company is currently testing smaller prototypes and is designing a 1 MWh demonstration unit. Management projects first commercial systems in 2028 at costs that undercut both lithium-ion batteries and peaking natural-gas plants, ultimately targeting $25 per kilowatt-hour—roughly one-tenth today’s lithium-ion costs. Fourth Power has raised $39 million to date, including a recently closed $20 million Series A Plus round and a $19 million Series A in 2023, to fund technology development and scale-up.

• ByteChek

  Participated · Seed · Dec 2021

  ByteChek provides an all-in-one compliance automation platform that streamlines SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 assessments. The company plans to announce enhancements to its platform and expand automated features across those cybersecurity frameworks. The $3 million seed will fund product development and growth initiatives. ByteChek intends to double its headcount with a focus on engineering leaders and product professionals. Authentic Ventures’ managing partner Lindsay Lee joined ByteChek’s board as part of the round. The company emphasizes simplifying compliance so customers avoid multiple providers and complex processes.

No current team members are available.