• Pioneer

  Participated · Seed · Nov 2023

  Pioneer provides an AI-powered service that combines large language models (LLMs) with process-execution expertise to help climate tech companies win non-dilutive funding more efficiently. The platform matches a company’s sector focus, business model, and capital needs with potential funding sources and then applies across thousands of grants, contracts, and other incentives. It targets funding opportunities at federal, state, and local levels as well as non-governmental sources. Founded in 2022 and based in San Francisco, Pioneer is led by CEO Mitko Simeonov and COO Kyle Treige. The company plans to use the new capital to accelerate its growth and expand its service offering. No operating metrics were disclosed in the article.

• Impossible Metals

  Participated · Seed · Jun 2022

  Impossible Mining builds responsible seabed mining and refining technology with a focus on deep‑sea robotics and Bio‑Extraction. Based in San Jose and a graduate of Y Combinator's W22 batch, the company is developing a four‑mile‑deep robotic collection system to selectively recover battery metals from the seafloor. It is also developing Bio‑Extraction refining technology intended to process recovered materials in an environmentally responsible way. The team says its approach aims to preserve the seafloor environment compared with dredge‑based methods. Impossible Mining closed an additional $10.1 million in seed funding to fund development and testing of its deep‑sea robotics and to continue advancing its extraction technology. Leadership has emphasized the strategic importance of securing independent access to critical battery metals amid rising lithium‑ion battery demand.

No current team members are available.