Participated · Series C · Nov 2022

Syzygy Plasmonics is a deep-decarbonization company commercializing a universal photocatalytic platform that uses light instead of combustion to electrify chemical manufacturing. Its Rigel™ ammonia e-cracking reactor cells began producing hydrogen late in 2023 and have surpassed initial performance targets. The cells are modular, designed for multiple reactions (including ammonia e-cracking and CO2 reforming), and are now available to order in configurations capable of producing 5 tons of hydrogen per day. The company aims to reach industrial-scale production of 100 tons of hydrogen per day or more by late 2026 and to apply its technology across various chemical processes. Syzygy says the platform, when powered by renewable electricity, is designed to reduce both cost and emissions across chemical reactions and to enable low- and zero-emissions hydrogen and chemical feedstock production. The current commercial focus is accelerating deployment of reactor cells now that they are ready to ship. Syzygy Plasmonics develops all-electric reactors that use light rather than heat to electrify chemical manufacturing, commercializing a universal photocatalytic reactor platform licensed from Rice University. When powered with renewable electricity, the platform is intended to reduce both cost and emissions across multiple chemical reactions. The company is focused on eliminating fossil-based combustion from chemical manufacturing and lowering the carbon intensity of hydrogen, methanol, and fuel. Syzygy intends to use recent funding to accelerate development and delivery of these all-electric reactor systems and to expand its commercial offerings. Led by CEO Trevor Best, the company is headquartered in Houston, TX and employs more than eighty people, with plans to double its workforce over the next year. The business combines novel engineering with licensed academic technology to commercialize its reactor platform. Syzygy Plasmonics develops modular, scalable photocatalytic reactors that use light to replace heat in industrial chemical processes, aiming to reduce emissions and lower costs. Its initial product focus is on zero-emission hydrogen production, with potential to cut the cost of zero-emission hydrogen in half versus alternatives such as electrolysis. The reactors are built from lower-cost materials and operate at far milder temperatures than conventional systems. After market entry with hydrogen, Syzygy plans to expand into other reactions including CO2-to-value, fertilizer, and commodity chemicals. The company employs 26 people and anticipates doubling its workforce over the next 12 months to support product development, hiring, and commercialization. Syzygy's photocatalysts were invented at Rice University and the company aims to deliver full-size commercial-ready chemical reactors in 2022. Syzygy Plasmonics is developing a photocatalytic chemical reactor powered by light from renewable electricity, based on what it describes as the world’s highest performance photocatalyst. The technology traces to two decades of research by Naomi Halas and Peter Nordlander at Rice University, with photocatalysts the company says are orders of magnitude more active, stable, and efficient than prior solutions. The reactor aims to reduce cost and carbon emissions across the industrial gas, chemical, and energy industries for major chemicals such as fuel, fertilizer, and plastics. Syzygy’s first go-to-market focus is hydrogen production for transportation. The company was founded in 2017 and licensed its core technology from Rice University. Earlier this year Syzygy received Department of Energy grants for a reactor to create hydrogen from ammonia and an NSF SBIR award for a reactor that processes carbon dioxide. The company announced a $5.8 million Series A to advance development of the platform. Syzygy Plasmonics is a technology company developing a photocatalytic chemical reactor that uses light instead of heat to drive chemical reactions. Its core product aims to lower costs and emissions across industrial gas, chemical and energy sectors. The technology targets commodity chemicals such as fuel, fertilizer and plastics. The company was one of three winners of Capital Factory’s E‑Capital Summit Cleantech Challenge and received a $100,000 cash investment. In addition to the cash, Syzygy gained admission to Capital Factory’s Accelerator, access to its mentor network, six months of unlimited coworking, and exposure to industry influencers. These resources are intended to accelerate development and commercial adoption of its light‑driven reactor technology.

Led · Series A · Feb 2022

Soelect is a North Carolina battery-technology startup that develops fast charge-capable anode materials and technologies aimed at enabling the next generation of EV batteries. The company closed an $11 million Series A to scale its anode technologies. It intends to use the capital to scale manufacturing and development of its fast charge-capable anodes. The startup's anode tech is positioned as a potential enabler for both lithium-metal and solid-state EV battery anode designs. GM Ventures joined the round as a strategic investor alongside lead investor Lotte Chemical and KTB Network, indicating potential OEM interest and pathways to vehicle or manufacturing integration. The article does not disclose revenue, users, or other operating metrics.