Participated · Equity · Sep 2018

Black Bear is a Nederweert, the Netherlands–based cleantech company advancing a “Tire to Carbon Black” carbonization process that transforms end-of-life tires into recovered Carbon Black. The recovered Carbon Black is Cradle-to-Cradle™ certified and is already used by major clients including AkzoNobel. The company operates an industrial-scale prototype plant in partnership with tire recycler Kargro, located in Nederweert, capable of processing more than 1 million tires annually. Led by CEO Martijn Lopes Cardozo, Black Bear intends to use recent funds to scale up its technology, further develop the industrial-scale prototype plant and expand internationally. Financially, the company secured an additional €5m in funding and had previously raised €11m in a growth financing round from ING Sustainable Investments, 5square, Social Impact Ventures and SCG. Black Bear, founded in 2010 in the Netherlands, has developed a proprietary tires-to-Carbon Black carbonisation process to transform used tires into recovered Carbon Black. The company produces Cradle-to-Cradle Certified recovered Carbon Black intended for technical rubber goods, coatings, inks and tires, and says its product can compete with virgin Carbon Black on cost and quality. Black Bear describes its process as energy-generating and energy-efficient and highlights environmental impacts, including claims to reduce annual oil consumption by over 215 million barrels and CO2 savings comparable to thousands of hectares of forest. The latest €11 million growth funding will be used to refine the process and accelerate international rollout of the technology. Investors are presented as strategic partners who will support technology development and market expansion, and the company already counts large customers such as AkzoNobel. Management is led by CEO Martijn Lopes Cardozo and backed by a consortium of impact and industrial investors.

Led · Equity · Sep 2017

Kriya Materials develops, manufactures and sells multifunctional coatings and composites for solar panels, window films, LED/OLED lighting, greenhouses and displays. Its products use proprietary nanoparticles and formulation know‑how to improve energy generation, reduce cooling needs and enhance product durability. The company’s coatings for solar panels offer anti‑reflection, anti‑dust and anti‑heat properties that increase energy output. In automotive and construction applications its coatings block solar heat, lowering energy required for cooling. For LED/OLED lighting the firm’s optical coatings increase light output and reduce energy consumption. Kriya also supplies coatings and composite films for greenhouses that improve light and heat management, boost crop yield and reduce water use for evaporative cooling.

Participated · Equity · Jan 2017

Cristal Therapeutics develops nanomedicines that entrap existing and new drugs in proprietary CriPec® polymer nanoparticles to improve distribution, selective release and tolerability. Its lead candidate, CriPec® docetaxel, has shown enhanced efficacy and safety in preclinical studies and completed a clinical phase Ia trial assessing tolerability and pharmacokinetics. The company is advancing CriPec® docetaxel through a planned clinical phase Ib to confirm recommended phase II dosing and expects to start a larger phase II later in the year. Cristal is also developing CriPec® DUO (dual-drug nanoparticles) and CriPec® oligonucleotide delivery programs to broaden therapeutic applications. The company is privately held and based in Maastricht; a recent €12.8 million financing will support the upcoming clinical trials and intensified platform and preclinical development. Cristal has an existing partnership with iTeos Therapeutics to combine CriPec® nanoparticles with immuno-oncology small-molecule modulators. Cristal Therapeutics develops nanomedicines using its patented CriPec® technology to entrap drugs in polymer nanoparticles (0.0001 mm diameter) to improve distribution and enable more selective drug release. The company’s lead program is CriPec® docetaxel, intended to provide more effective chemotherapy with fewer side effects. Preclinical studies since 2011 have demonstrated safety and efficacy for various CriPec®-based candidates in animal models. Cristal plans to begin the first clinical study of CriPec® docetaxel in early 2015. The company completed a financing round of over €6 million to support that clinical start. Leadership changes accompanied the financing: co‑founder Joost Holthuis was appointed CEO effective 1 December 2014, and founder Cristianne Rijcken moved to Chief Scientific Officer.

Led · Series A · Oct 2016

Fortimedix Surgical develops a single-port surgery solution compatible with a standard 15mm trocar for minimally invasive abdominal laparoscopic procedures. Its lead product, the FMX314, received CE Mark approval and 510(k) clearance last quarter. The company plans a U.S. commercial launch of the FMX314 at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress (Oct 16–20, 2016) and a European commercial launch in 2017. Fortimedix will use the new funding to support the U.S. and European commercial launches. The company is led by CEO Wout Bijker and is based in Nuth, The Netherlands, with a subsidiary in San Diego. No operating metrics were disclosed in the article.