• Optimus Technologies

  Participated · Series A · May 2023

  Optimus Technologies develops the Optimus Vector System, an advanced fuel system technology designed to enable diesel engines to run on biodiesel and reduce emissions in the transportation sector. The company is based in East Pittsburgh. It completed a $17.8 million Series A led by Tokyo’s Mitsui & Co., with participation from Chevron Renewable Energy Group and Pittsburgh investors including Idea Foundry, Innovation Works, the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. The funding will allow further development of the Optimus Vector System and immediate scaling of carbon-reduction delivery. New working relationships with Mitsui and Chevron Renewable Energy Group are expected to accelerate deployment in North America and support expansion into international markets. Founder and CEO Colin Huwyler said the strategic investment enables the company to accelerate its mission to decarbonize the transportation sector.

• Kloopify

  Participated · Seed · Feb 2023

  Kloopify provides a self-serve climate action software platform that gives purchasing professionals automated, near-time data on the climate impact of the commodities they buy. The platform enables integration of carbon emissions data into everyday procurement processes so businesses can quickly see where their greatest emissions are coming from. Customers can use those insights to take meaningful action toward emissions reduction. Led by CEO Daniela Osio, Kloopify aims to accelerate revenue growth for businesses making the transition to environmentally sustainable purchasing decisions. The company raised $1.5M in Seed funding and intends to use the proceeds to expand operations and its business reach.

• Honeycomb Credit

  Participated · Seed · Mar 2021

  Honeycomb Credit is a FINRA-regulated funding portal and bank-replacement platform that provides loans to smaller businesses by leveraging the Reg CF securities exemption. The platform allows anyone to invest in those loans and supports underserved communities. Based in Pittsburgh, Honeycomb serves small firms and investors around the U.S. Since 2018 the company says it has helped more than 400 businesses across 38 states raise nearly $30 million. Honeycomb’s team cites consolidation of community banks as a driver for its tech-enabled, scalable relationship-lending model. The company plans to use new funding to boost its mobile experience for in-store investing and to expand its reach to support more small businesses nationwide. Honeycomb Credit operates a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) platform that lets community members lend directly to small businesses by issuing securities under Reg CF. Investors may participate for as little as $100, and the platform positions itself as a bank-replacement marketplace to fill gaps left by declining community banks. Since its founding in 2017 and based in Pittsburgh, Honeycomb has run more than 100 investment crowdfunding campaigns across 18 states and reports that over 80% of businesses that crowdfunded through the platform have reached their funding goals. The platform's average loan is roughly $40,000; more than 57% of businesses in Honeycomb offerings are owned by women or minorities and 55% have been in low-to-moderate income communities. Management says the new funding will allow the company to accelerate partnerships with investment funds and financial institutions. Honeycomb frames its model as creating circular economies that build community wealth by returning loan repayments to neighbors and local supporters.

• nanoGriptech

  Participated · Equity · Mar 2020

  nanoGriptech produces gecko-inspired micro-structured dry adhesives and surfaces for applications including wearable consumer products, semiconductor and glass handling, and automotive upholstery fastening. Its product family includes Setex Gecko Grip, Setex Gecko Tape and Setex Ultra‑Thin Fastener. Earlier in the year the company introduced an anti-slip microstructured nose pad for eyewear made with Setex Gecko Grip, sold exclusively through Amazon. The company is led by founder Metin Sitti and CEO Nicholas Kuhn and was spun out of Carnegie Mellon University in 2012. It occupies 6,000 square feet in a former chocolate factory in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. Prior support includes SBIR/STTR grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense, plus assistance from the PA NanoMaterials Commercialization Center and private investors. The company will use the new funds to scale manufacturing operations and strengthen commercialization activities.

No current team members are available.