Participated · Series E · Sep 2024

6K develops and produces critical engineered materials using its UniMelt microwave plasma technology across battery and additive manufacturing markets. The company operates distinct businesses including 6K Additive, 6K Energy and 6K Next and is industrially operational and producing materials at scale today. 6K’s headquarters and the 6K Energy Battery Center of Excellence are in North Andover, MA; 6K Additive’s production facility is in Burgettstown, PA, and a full‑scale PlusCAM battery material plant is under construction in Jackson, TN. The company plans to scale up production of battery cathode active materials (CAM) and expand production of additive manufacturing metal powders. 6K closed an $82M Series E to support those scale‑up and expansion efforts. Leadership changes accompany the raise: Dr. Aaron Bent transitioned out as CEO and COO Dr. Saurabh Ullal assumes the CEO role, and new board members Beda Bolzenius and Dr. Jeff Chamberlain have been added. 6K produces engineered materials for lithium-ion batteries and additive manufacturing using its UniMelt microwave plasma technology. Its UniMelt system transforms engineered materials across industries including additive manufacturing, renewable energy, aerospace and consumer electronics by replacing a multi-day, high-waste hydro-met chemical co-precipitation process with an ultra-clean, rapid plasma process. The UniMelt process can operate in as little as 2 seconds and is powered by a 6000K microwave plasma. UniMelt systems are already deployed in 24/7 high-volume production at 6K Additive’s ISO9001-certified, 45-acre facility. The company plans to use Series D proceeds to expand production of premium 3D metal powders in its Additive division and to deploy cathode production plants in its Energy division. Led by CEO Aaron Bent, 6K raised $102M as the first tranche of a Series D expected to reach $150M total. 6K develops sustainable advanced materials for energy storage and additive manufacturing, using a proprietary advanced plasma processing system and a continuous UniMelt process. The UniMelt production process allows complete control of materials engineering to produce battery materials, semiconductor materials, 3D printing powders, phosphors, advanced ceramics and electronic materials. Led by CEO Aaron Bent, the company raised $51M in a Series C financing to scale its operations. 6K plans to use the funds to complete a Battery Development Center of Excellence, adding 33,000 sq ft of product development space and doubling its 6K Energy team. The company will also triple production capacity for 3D metal powders at its 6K Additive division, expand its powder product offerings, and grow commercial sales activities globally.

Participated · Seed · Dec 2022

Cyvl equips fleets of sensor-fitted vehicles to act as roaming data centers, generating detailed 3D maps of streets and sidewalks and converting that information into actionable insights through its AI software platform. The system automates inspections, asset management, and repair planning for municipalities and engineering firms, helping clients save millions in maintenance costs and accelerate construction timelines. The company already counts more than 100 local-government partners nationwide, and its data platform now covers roads used by roughly one in every 30 Americans. Cyvl positions itself as the intelligence layer for the nation’s current $1 trillion infrastructure-investment wave, guiding cities on where and how to allocate funds. With fresh capital, management plans to expand the engineering team, speed up product development, and scale deployments in major U.S. metros. Financial metrics such as revenue were not disclosed in the article.

Led · Seed · Aug 2022

Qeepsake, founded in 2015 by Jeff and Stephanie McNeil, is a family journaling app that sends daily questions via text or push to help parents capture memories. Users submit text, photo and video responses that are automatically organized into digital journals and can be turned into custom-printed Qeepsake Books. The app is free to join and offers two paid tiers: Qeepsake Plus ($47.88/year) with unlimited entries and photos, up to two texts per day, previous-question access and social-media sync; and Qeepsake Premium ($95.99/year) which allows additional contributors and includes Qeepsake video. Qeepsake reports more than 700,000 registered users and over 50 million memories saved. With the appointment of Tracy Cho as CEO, the company plans to explore new monetization opportunities, pilot partnerships, personalize prompts to boost engagement, and grow subscription revenues.

Participated · Series B · Jul 2020

Sea Machines develops autonomous control technology, perception systems, and vessel software designed to increase safety, efficiency, and performance for ships, workboats, and commercial vessels. The company sells advanced control and autonomy solutions to the maritime industry and operates globally from its Boston headquarters. Sea Machines has secured multiple significant contracts and partnerships, including with DEEP BV, Metal Shark Boats, and the U.S. Department of Defense Innovation Unit. While its current focus is the commercial vessels market, the company aims to extend similar automation capabilities to the recreational marine market in the future. Sea Machines was founded in 2015 and markets its products to enhance operator safety and vessel performance. The company has strategic industry investors and partners supporting its technology development and market adoption. Sea Machines builds autonomous systems that operate under the command of a human operator to take on long-duration and repetitive control duties, boosting predictability and reducing fatigue-related incidents. The technology also enables new capabilities such as onshore command of remote offshore vessels and expanded remote operations. Led by CEO Michael G. Johnson, the company launched its first family of products in late 2018 and has since deployed systems across multiple sectors. Deployments include large cargo vessels (including a disclosed program with A.P. Moller-Maersk), U.S.-flag ATBs, data-collecting survey boats, oil-spill response craft, search-and-rescue, patrol and crew transfer vessels. Its systems are operating in four of the world’s eight geographical regions and the company reaches customers through a dealer-partner program with established marine electronics integrators. The new financing will support further deployment and commercialization of its self-piloting technologies. Sea Machines Robotics develops autonomous vessel software and advanced perception and navigation-assistance systems for a range of vessel types, including container ships, workboats and commercial vessels. The company released an introductory line of autonomous command and remote-control systems in October aimed at offshore commercial, scientific and government applications. Sea Machines said it will use new funding to grow its engineering and technology team, rapidly develop a new generation of products and features, and expand the global reach of its products. Its primary focus is currently the commercial vessels market, with Brunswick noting research may later be adapted into the recreational marine market. The company is headquartered in Boston, was founded in 2015, and operates globally. The recent financing was described as one of the largest rounds of financing for a marine- and maritime-focused technology company in history.

Participated · Equity · Nov 2019

KnowIt brings together the intellectual property and innovation ecosystems to address the future of intellectual output in a digital world. The company is based in North Wales, PA. It plans to launch events as a core activity, including its first annual flagship event scheduled for May 11–14, 2020 at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The flagship is expected to bring together more than 1,000 members of the intellectual output ecosystem, including lawyers, academics, inventors, brand creators, cybersecurity and privacy professionals, government leaders, startups, tech companies, investors, non-profits, media and analysts. KnowIt closed a $2M funding round and will use the proceeds to launch its events. It was co-founded by CEO Cheryl Slipski, chairman Anil D. Aggarwal and Simran Aggarwal.