Participated · Equity · Mar 2022

Talage builds digital distribution software for commercial insurance that automates traditionally manual processes such as applications and submissions. The platform recently added the ability to quote additional lines of coverage, including professional liability and cyber insurance. It has also delivered tools to simplify renewals, book rolls, and cross-sell opportunities. The company closed a $9 million funding round led by Merus Capital. Carrier partners include Acuity, Coterie Insurance, Hiscox, Liberty Mutual, and Travelers, indicating distribution traction. Founded in 2015, Talage’s team and technology are positioned to support further digitization of the insurance industry. Talage offers a SaaS platform that lets agents sell essential commercial insurance to small businesses through digital channels. The platform is live nationwide and has sold over $1 million in coverage to businesses in more than 40 states. It integrates with 12 carrier partners so agents can instantly sell coverage under their own licenses and appointments. Talage was founded in 2015 by Adam Kiefer, Matt Donovan and Zachary Draper and is based in Reno, Nev. The company plans to use new funding to scale its engineering and business development teams. Current operating traction includes the stated $1M+ in policies sold and presence across 40+ states.

Participated · Equity · Oct 2021

Empower Semiconductor is a San Jose-based power-management company focused on reducing the energy footprint of AI and other high-performance processors. Its proprietary FinFast architecture integrates voltage regulators directly with the processor package, delivering on-demand scalable power with high speed, precision, and signal integrity. By shrinking solution footprint, height, and component count, the technology enables vertical power delivery with superior power density and efficiency, lowering total cost of ownership for data-center operators. Led by founder and CEO Tim Phillips, the company positions itself as a critical enabler of the accelerating AI revolution. The newly secured Series D financing strengthens its balance sheet and supports expanded operations and R&D. Though revenue and user metrics were not disclosed, the backing of prominent growth investors underscores market confidence in its solution. Future plans include broadening development efforts and scaling deployment across next-generation AI infrastructure.

Participated · Series B · Oct 2018

Filld operates a last-mile mobile fueling platform that delivers fuel directly to consumers’ and fleets’ vehicles. The company offers consumer service in the Bay Area and Washington, D.C., and commercial/fleet service in the Bay Area, Seattle, Portland and Vancouver, Canada. Filld’s commercial drivers use safety-compliant trucks and have delivered millions of gallons without a single major safety incident. The platform and equipment are designed to transition to alternative fuels and electric vehicles as market demand shifts. The company plans to use new capital to expand into new markets, extend services in existing markets, enhance its tech platform and connected architecture, and ramp hiring across North America. Filld operates a mobile fueling service that lets customers request gas delivery via a mobile app, share a vehicle’s location, and schedule a time for a licensed driver to fill the tank. Professionally trained, licensed drivers arrive in certified, specially‑modified small trucks so customers do not need to be present. The company serves individual, commercial and enterprise customers and already works with partners including Bentley Motors, Volvo, Daimler car2go and Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car. Led by CEO Michael Buhr and based in Mountain View, CA, Filld intends to use the new funding to scale current operations for expansion and to continue accelerating and signing new strategic partnerships. Financially, Filld raised $9.65M in this Series A and has raised more than $16M in total funding to date. Filld raised $3.25M in seed funding to expand its operations. The company provides scheduled and on-demand refueling services delivered directly to vehicles through its smartphone application. Users download the app, register, and order fuel to be brought to their car. Filld fulfills orders using a fleet of certified delivery vehicles. The funds will be used to grow the fleet, improve the mobile app, and expand into new territories. Filld was founded in January 2015 by Christopher Aubuchon and came out of stealth in late April; it is based in Mountain View, CA.