Participated · Seed · Apr 2023

Bspkl has developed a new manufacturing process for catalyst coated membranes (CCMs) used in hydrogen electrolysers, a core component of clean hydrogen production. The technology, invented by co-founder and CTO Jérôme Leveneur, reduces the amount of iridium and platinum required by 25 times. Bspkl's approach aims to make CCM production more sustainable and address iridium scarcity and high costs that hinder industry growth. The company plans 18 to 24 months of R&D before moving toward commercialization and will conduct New Zealand testing to support product development. Funds from the recent raise will support product development and a launch to the global electrolyser manufacturing market. Bspkl positions its technology as a solution to accelerate the transition to a green hydrogen economy.

Participated · Series A · Nov 2021

Foundry Lab builds high-powered microwave systems that let users melt cold metal powder or ingots in molds to produce cast parts much faster than metal 3D printing. The company says users can produce parts such as brake shoes in under eight hours using 3D-printed molds. It currently works with zinc and aluminum, has completed stainless steel trials, and plans to expand to copper and brass. Near-term focus is supplying car manufacturing R&D teams with production-identical prototype parts for testing prior to mass production. The company emerged from stealth with an $8M Series A and will use the funds to get production-ready by the end of 2023 and hire additional staff. Foundry Lab is based in New Zealand, led by founder and CEO David Moodie, and is targeting markets in the United States and Europe. Staff headcount has risen from six when fundraising began to 17 full-time employees, with a target of about 35, though hiring has been constrained by pandemic-related border closures.