Led · Seed · Jul 2026

Estes Energy Solutions develops large-format magnesium thixomolding processes and monocast thermo-structural magnesium battery modules that integrate structure, coolant channels, and a high-voltage enclosure. The company has proprietary alloy and coating work intended to mitigate magnesium flammability and corrosion. Estes plans to build a U.S. giga-thixo machine capable of roughly 30 kg per shot and one part per minute, targeting first-half 2027 operation. It is securing U.S. and allied feedstock and domestic manufacturing to ensure supply security. Estes targets mass-constrained, high-duty-cycle markets including rail, marine, aviation, and Class 8 trucks. The company was founded in 2024 by engineers from Tesla, Sila, and Cummins and raised an $11M seed round co-led by BMW i Ventures and Fortescue.

Led · Seed · Mar 2026

Voltify develops in-motion charging technology for rail systems, positioning itself as the "Tesla of rail." The company targets the $11 billion diesel market by enabling electrified charging for trains and other rail vehicles while in operation. Voltify plans to deploy its charging systems across rail networks to reduce diesel use and upgrade energy infrastructure. The article notes the company is Israeli but does not provide a founding year. Financially, the company announced a $30 million Seed round to support technology advancement and operational expansion. No revenue, user metrics, or prior funding details were disclosed in the article.

Participated · Seed · Jul 2025

Still Bright develops a vanadium-based electrochemical extraction system that soaks copper-containing ores in a regenerable vanadium solution to recover copper without the high-pollution pyrometallurgical steps. Inspired by vanadium flow batteries, the process electrically regenerates the spent solution and can recover nearly all copper from typical ores and from tailings. Its modular equipment is much smaller than traditional refiners because processing happens in minutes to an hour, enabling installations across a range of mine sizes. The company says its equipment costs 70–90% less than typical pyrometallurgical gear and currently runs at similar operating costs to a typical refinery, with expectations to become cheaper. Still Bright operates a pilot that produces about two tons of copper per year and plans a demonstration unit in 2027–2028 capable of producing 500 tons per year, targeting a commercial system of 10,000 tons annually. Founded in 2022 and based in New Jersey, Still Bright aims to scale to become one of the lowest-cost copper producers by enabling recovery from existing ores and waste streams.

Led · Series B · Aug 2024

HanCheng Technology is focused on R&D, production and sales of fluorinated materials for hydrogen applications, enhanced nano-microporous membranes, and related ion-exchange products. The company also participates in development of fuel cell membrane-electrode assemblies and mass-production technologies, as well as high-pressure water electrolysis stacks and system technologies. It has completed a B-round financing exceeding RMB 100 million. The round was led jointly by international energy and resources company Fortescue and GL Ventures. Proceeds will fund strategic expansion including deployment of a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) resin production line with 1,000 tonnes/year capacity and establishment of an anion exchange resin (AEM) production line. HanCheng will also continue to expand based on its existing 1.8 million square meters of ion-exchange membrane capacity.

Participated · Equity · Apr 2024

Tree Energy Solutions (TES) develops e-NG, a hydrogen-based renewable molecule chemically identical to natural gas created by combining green hydrogen with biogenic or recycled CO2. TES produces green hydrogen using solar and wind in low-cost regions, then synthesises e-NG that can be transported and stored using existing infrastructure. The company is building a green energy hub and import terminal in the port of Wilhelmshaven, Germany, to facilitate imports of natural gas and e-NG, export CO2, and produce green hydrogen and power. TES has formed strategic partnerships with major energy companies including TotalEnergies, Osaka Gas, Toho Gas, Tokyo Gas, Fortescue, and ADNOC to assemble a pipeline of large-scale projects across North America, the Middle East, Australia, and Europe. The company recently closed a third fundraising round of €140M from financial institutions and energy investors to advance its upstream and downstream e-NG projects internationally. Management says the newly raised capital will be used to develop its global portfolio of large-scale e-NG production projects and the Wilhelmshaven import terminal. Tree Energy Solutions develops green hydrogen solutions that use CO2 as a carrier to import hydrogen in the form of renewable natural gas and return captured CO2 to the supply location in a closed-loop system. TES focuses on industrial-scale green hydrogen production and import terminals, with first deliveries to its Wilhelmshaven terminal expected by 2026. In an initial phase TES and Fortescue plan to supply 300,000 tons of green H2, and the projects are expected to produce sufficient renewable energy to meet the needs of 1.5 million households. The company plans global deployment with an initial focus on Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. TES positions itself as a bankable, scalable hydrogen player aimed at accelerating the energy transition. Tree Energy Solutions develops infrastructure to import and move large volumes of hydrogen into Europe, aiming to transfer solar energy from regions with abundant sun to European markets. The company is planning a "green energy hub" at the German North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven that will initially receive LNG and later switch to green hydrogen and synthetic methane (with possible inclusion of blue hydrogen). CEO Marco Alverà, the former head of Italian gas network Snam, has articulated plans to source renewable energy from places such as Chile, Australia and Texas and deliver it to Germany and other parts of Europe. The Financial Times reports the company has attracted significant investor interest, with investors contributing €65 million and placing the company's valuation at around €700 million. Management has publicly urged the EU to avoid past subsidy mistakes that enabled China to dominate solar manufacturing, arguing for mindful policy as imports scale.