Led · Series A · Jun 2026

Folio Photonics designs multilayer optical discs that store data as fluorescent signals in a nanophotonic optical medium, producing WORM (write-once, read-many) discs with expected lifetimes of 50–100 years. Its discs can contain up to 32 layers with an estimated storage cost from $3 per terabyte; first-generation discs hold about 1–2 TB each and multiple discs can be housed in a single cartridge. The company has patented its core technology, built an alpha optical drive in 2024 and a second-generation beta last year, and hired an engineering manager three years ago to advance drive development. Folio plans commercial launch in 2027 and aims for integration with existing manufacturing ecosystems to speed adoption. The company positions its product as an archival and “knowledge layer” for AI-era data preservation and cites a forecasted archive market exceeding $12 billion by 2028. Financially, Folio has completed multiple funding events including a 2019 $8M seed round and a recent Series A of $8M, and intends to use new proceeds to scale engineering, operations, partnerships and manufacturing readiness.

Participated · Series A · Jun 2026

Foundation Alloy commercializes a solid-state alloying technique that repeatedly smashes metal powders together to create homogeneous alloys that traditional melting processes cannot achieve. The process reportedly uses around an order of magnitude less energy than conventional melting-based alloying and enables combinations of elements with very different melting points. The company has been selling bespoke metals in small batches and is running pilots with customers in automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, defense, luxury watches, and cutlery. Early commercial products include tooling parts for automakers and parts targeted at drone supply chains within defense. Foundation Alloy says it is currently constrained by production capacity rather than demand and plans to scale to several tons per week by 2027 using proceeds from its Series A. Its technology builds on about 20 years of research led by Tim Rupert and Chris Schuh, and the company is led by CEO and co-founder Jake Guglin.

Participated · Series B · Mar 2026

AgZen develops RealCoverage, a system that measures how much spray reaches leaf surfaces in real time and provides actionable recommendations to improve spray targeting. Its sensors detect droplets as small as 150 microns, capture data every few inches, and operate at sprayer speeds up to 18 miles per hour. Led by CEO Vishnu Jayaprakash, the company has sold out its 2026 production allocation. Following the Series B, AgZen plans to accelerate product development. The company also announced a partnership with Syngenta AG and received a strategic investment from Syngenta Group Ventures. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article.

Participated · Equity · Dec 2025

Ripple Foods develops and sells dairy-free products—primarily plant-based milks, protein shakes, and half-and-half—made from yellow-pea protein that deliver up to 20 g of protein per serving while avoiding common allergens such as nuts, soy, and lactose. The products contain 50 % more calcium than dairy milk, less sugar and fewer calories, and are marketed as pediatrician-recommended and family-friendly. Available nationwide through retailers like Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, and Walmart, Ripple has achieved consistent double-digit top-line growth by capitalizing on the $23 B alternative-protein market. The company is a Certified B-Corporation and emphasizes sustainable production that uses significantly less water than dairy. With a loyal customer base, Ripple plans to launch an organic milk line in Q1 2026, deepen penetration of its core and high-protein kids’ milks, and enter food-service channels. Recently appointed CEO Becky O’Grady, a former General Mills executive and long-time Ripple board member, will lead these initiatives. The firm aims to expand distribution, drive brand visibility, and move toward profitability with the backing of its latest financing.

Participated · Series A · Nov 2025

Amperesand is building an integrated Medium Voltage Solid-State Transformer platform that unifies hardware, software, and intelligent controls into a compact product able to cut electrical footprints by more than 80% while delivering faster, more reliable power to high-density compute environments. The company’s technology targets hyperscale AI data centers, defense installations, and megawatt charging applications, where traditional power infrastructure is facing long lead times and mounting grid-stability challenges. Backed by eight years of SST R&D at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, Amperesand was spun out in 2023 and now operates engineering and manufacturing hubs in San Francisco, Reno, and Singapore. Commercial momentum includes contracts to deliver 30 MW of systems in 2026, beginning with a mission-critical charging pilot for PSA International at the Port of Singapore and multiple additional hyperscaler pilots. The MV SST platform is designed for secure, regionally sourced supply chains and incorporates AI-native software controls and advanced cybersecurity features. The company plans to exceed 100 employees globally by the end of 2025 to support scaled production. Fresh capital is earmarked for expanding engineering capacity and manufacturing lines to meet surging global demand for critical power solutions.