Participated · Series A · May 2025

InventWood commercializes Superwood, a processed timber product created by chemically modifying lignin and compressing wood to increase cellulose bonding. The underlying technology was developed by University of Maryland materials scientist Liangbing Hu and licensed to InventWood after Hu reduced production time from more than a week to a few hours. The company says Superwood delivers roughly 50% more tensile strength than steel and a strength-to-weight ratio about ten-times better; it is Class A fire rated and resistant to rot and pests. With polymer impregnation it can be stabilized for outdoor use such as siding, decking, or roofing, and compression concentrates colors to resemble richer tropical hardwoods. InventWood plans to start initial production this summer from a smaller first-of-a-kind commercial plant focused on facade and other skin applications. Ultimately the company aims to produce structural beams from wood chips that could replace concrete and steel in building construction to reduce carbon impact. InventWood has developed a proprietary technology stack that transforms wood into high-performance, climate-resilient superwood building products. The company says its materials are stronger and lighter than steel while offering higher durability and improved aesthetics. InventWood raised $8M in funding from backers including the Grantham Foundation, Builders Vision, Echelon, John Rockwell, and an existing investor. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts ahead of a planned commercial launch in early 2025. Key priorities for the launch are establishing a scaled supply chain and commissioning a pilot production facility capable of profitably producing up to one million square feet of product annually.

Participated · Seed · Feb 2025

Hyperlume builds microLED-based optical interconnects paired with a low-power ASIC to transfer data between chips and racks faster and with less energy than copper connections. The company retrofits inexpensive microLEDs to achieve fiber‑like links at lower cost than silicon photonics or lasers. Founders Mohsen Asad and Hossein Fariborzi launched Hyperlume in 2022, bringing expertise in microLEDs and low-power circuit design. Hyperlume is piloting its technology with a handful of early North American customers and has received inbound interest from hyperscalers, cable manufacturers, and other industries. The startup recently raised capital to hire engineers and continue product development. Its stated future plan is to scale bandwidth and become an AI connectivity solution provider for next‑generation data centers.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2024

AmpUp provides a smart EV charging platform and energy management solutions aimed at simplifying charging and balancing energy usage. The company operates a network of thousands of EV charging stations deployed for customers across North America, including JLL, CBRE, Domino’s Pizza, Goodyear, Under Armour, and Hilton. Led by CEO Tom Sun, AmpUp focuses on technology that supports a cleaner, smarter grid through intelligent charging and energy management. With the completion of its Series A, the company plans to accelerate market expansion and continue innovating within the EV charging sector. The round reinforces AmpUp's position in the commercial charging market and supports its ongoing product and go-to-market initiatives. AmpUp, founded in 2018 and based in Santa Clara, California, provides comprehensive EV charging services in North America. The company operates a platform and services for electric-vehicle charging deployment and management. In December last year Hyundai Motor acquired a minority equity stake in AmpUp, reflecting strategic investor interest. AmpUp previously received an investment from Hyundai's Cradle team in 2020 (amount undisclosed). Beyond those disclosed investments, the article provides no revenue, user, or other operating metrics. No explicit future product plans for AmpUp were detailed in the article. AmpUp is a Santa Clara, CA-based provider of an electric vehicle (EV) charging operating system. Its platform manages a network of Level 2 and DC Fast chargers deployed across North America for customers including JLL, CBRE, Domino’s Pizza, Goodyear, Under Armour, and Hilton. The company reports its network represents over 30% of all networked Level 2 charging stations in Connecticut and over 94% of all private chargers in the state. AmpUp also reports a 96.4% charge session success rate and nearly 100% system uptime across its integrated network. Led by CEO Tom Sun, AmpUp plans to deepen its presence in Connecticut by opening a new office in East Hartford in early 2024. In December 2023 the company received a $1.7M grant from the State of Connecticut’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority to support EV charging demand flexibility. AmpUp offers a proprietary EV charging operating system that centralizes management of multiple charge stations and locations, simplifies charge scheduling, and optimizes energy use. The platform provides increased visibility into key charging metrics and infrastructure control for organizations and drivers. AmpUp's software has been deployed across North America and Europe and serves customers including JLL, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Citizens Bank, Hilton Garden Inn, and Holiday Inn. The company plans to accelerate fleet electrification by making smart charging solutions easier to scale and implement. A strategic investment and collaboration with Holman is intended to integrate AmpUp's charging data with Holman's vehicle operating data to reduce data fragmentation, mitigate fraud, and eliminate visibility blind spots for fleet operators. AmpUp is a Cupertino, CA-based software company and network provider that builds EV charging solutions for drivers, hosts and fleets. Its platform enables businesses and property owners to efficiently manage multiple charge stations and locations from a single interface. AmpUp operates across North America, including all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The company's network and software have been deployed for customers such as JLL, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn. The business is led by CEO and co-founder Thomas Sun and combines network services with charging management software. The article does not disclose revenue, user counts, or other financial metrics.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2024

Cache Energy develops a thermal storage system that stores energy in chemical bonds inside lime-derived pellets (starting from calcium hydroxide that converts to calcium oxide when heated) and releases heat when rehydrated. The pellets are designed to be stored in piles or silos, moved by conveyor belts or rail, and held under simple containment, with the company saying they can retain charge almost indefinitely. The system currently produces heat up to 550°C and Cache is developing a version capable of ~900°C to reach more industrial markets. Cache reports overall system efficiency around 95%, an hourly production rate equivalent to about 500 kilowatt-hours, and pellet costs of roughly $0.20–$0.40 per kilowatt-hour at current production. The company was founded in 2021 by Arpit Dwivedi and currently has one pilot reactor deployed with a customer. Future plans include shipping more reactors to customers and raising a Series A to scale deployments while keeping equipment and material costs low by using off-the-shelf parts.

Participated · Seed · Jun 2024

Aepnus Technology is an advanced chemistry startup creating a modular, chlorine-free electrochemical system that modernises the manufacture of essential industrial chemicals. Its platform enables local, on-site production of caustic soda, sulfuric acid and related inputs while eliminating hazardous chlorine gas by-products and lowering energy use and carbon intensity. The technology targets industries ranging from battery manufacturing and critical mineral processing to paper, textiles and heavy industry, offering both economic and sustainability advantages. Founded by Lukas Hackl and Dr. Bilen Aküzüm, the company is headquartered in the United States and operates additional sites in Canada and Germany. By addressing supply-chain volatility—Turkey alone spends more than $150 million annually on caustic soda imports—the firm positions itself as a strategic alternative to conventional, centralized chlor-alkali plants. Recent funding is earmarked for team expansion, advancement across multiple markets and the deepening of industrial partnerships as the company moves toward global commercialisation.