• NAWA Technologies

  Led · Series C · Jan 2022

  NAWA Technologies commercializes a patented VACNT platform to deliver high-power, high-energy ultracapacitors (NAWACap), very fast electrodes for lithium batteries, and reinforced carbon-fibre composites. Headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, France, the company positions VACNT as a foundational material across multiple energy-storage applications. NAWA plans to build its first NAWACap factory to manufacture ultracapacitors from 2023 onwards and to ramp series production. The company is also accelerating development work on lithium-ion battery cell technology. Target end markets called out include power tools, sensor-based IoT, and automotive segments (hybrid, BEVs and FCEVs). NAWA's recent financing is intended to keep the company in a leading technological position and support scale-up to industrial production. NAWATechnologies, founded in 2013 and based in Aix‑en‑Provence, develops Ultra‑Fast Carbon ultracapacitor cells and applied nanotechnology that the company says can store 100× more electricity, cost 150× less than classical batteries and reduce battery‑waste environmental impact fivefold. Its ultracapacitors are positioned for high‑power, fast‑charging applications such as power tools and automated guided vehicles in factories, and for sensor‑based IoT devices. The company also targets automotive uses including hybrid cars, BEVs and fuel‑cell vehicles for rapid energy capture from regenerative braking, and future urban mobility like electric buses, trams and autonomous vehicles. NAWA showcased a hybrid ultracapacitor/lithium NAWA Racer concept e‑bike at CES 2020. Using the recent funding, NAWA plans to install next‑generation production line equipment at its Provence facility in 2020. That production line is intended to scale to over 100,000 ultracapacitor cells per month at full capacity.

• Powerhive

  Participated · Series B · Jul 2019

  Powerhive leverages a proprietary technology platform to develop and operate portfolios of renewable microgrids that supply affordable, reliable and productive electricity to off-grid communities in emerging markets. Founded in 2011 and led by CEO Christopher Hornor, the company holds a 25-year license to operate in Kenya as the country’s first private utility and has subsidiaries in Kenya. Powerhive aims to serve 100,000 people across 20,000 households by early 2020 and plans to reach 20,000 connections in Kenya. It closed a US$9.3m Series B to continue that growth. Backers include Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Kouros, To:org and existing investors Tao Capital, James Sandler, Prelude Ventures, Caterpillar Ventures, and Total Energy Ventures. The company says it will leverage Toyota Tsusho’s expertise and footprint in Africa to pursue collaboration opportunities in new African markets and in ancillary products and services such as electrical mobility products and services, reused batteries, and agricultural and industrial materials. Powerhive leverages a proprietary technology platform to develop and operate portfolios of renewable microgrids that supply affordable, reliable electricity to off-grid communities. Led by CEO Christopher Hornor, the company has operated rural microgrids in Kenya since 2012 and maintains offices in Nairobi and Manila. Its systems support productive equipment and vital community services such as health clinics and schools. Powerhive received early backing from First Solar. Financially, the company raised $20M in a Series A and last month received an $11M equity investment for its main Western Kenya project, which will serve approximately 90,000 people. It intends to use the new funds to expand into new markets in Africa and the Asia-Pacific while continuing to grow operations in Kenya.

• Ergosup

  Participated · Equity · Feb 2019

  Ergosup has developed a high-pressure hydrogen generator technology based on water electrolysis and builds compact systems to store and convert electricity into pressurised hydrogen. Its stations target zero-emission mobility (drones, handling equipment, bicycles, cars) and on-site industrial gas production as a truck-supply substitute. The company plans to industrialise production of its compact storage units, invest in marketing, and hire about a dozen employees including salespeople, project managers, and technicians. Founded in 2010 and located in Malataverne and Cherbourg, France, Ergosup currently employs 20 people. It has won multiple innovation awards (Global Innovation Competition prizes in 2014, 2015 and 2017, and a CES 2019 Innovation Award). The company aimed for turnover of €1 million in 2019 and €6 million by 2020.

No current team members are available.