A daily newsletter summarizing recent activity & interesting startups in the energy storage sector globally
RECENT NOTABLE ACTIVITY – BIOENERGY
- The protein design company Arzeda raises $12M in Series A funding from OS Fund, Bioeconomy Capital Sustainable Conversion Ventures, and WRF Capital. Link
- BHSL, a specialist in converting poultry manure into fuel, raises $7.8M and acquires Hydro International. Link
- Edeniq, a cellulosic technology company, raises $5M in growth equity from Flint Hills Resources, Angeleno Group, I2BF Global Ventures, Trinity Capital Investment, and Cyrus Capital. Link
- Bioethanol producer Fulcrum Bioenergy, raises $5M equity funding as per SecD filing. Link
- Waste to renewable fuels firm Sustane Technologies secures $2.6M funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s SD Tech Fund. Link
- Biodiesel blends and chemicals manufacturing technology developer xF Technologies, raises $675k debt funding as per SecD filing. Link
- Pacific BioEnergy, a wood pellet manufacturer, raises an undisclosed amount from Sumitomo Corporation. Link
- DOE awards an undisclosed amount to algae production technology developer Lumen Bioscience. Link
SOME INTERESTING STARTUPS FOUND
Lumen Bioscience (2017, Seattle, Undisclosed) – Technology developer for large-scale production of algae on non-productive land using engineered strains that grow robustly in seawater, resist contamination and predation, and accumulate substantial amounts of energy-rich components.
LEADER BOARD – BIOENERGY
Production – Horizontal
Sapphire Energy (2007, San Diego, $290M) – Produces a renewable source of crude oil from algae biomass and operates algae-to-energy facility. Backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Wellcome Trust, Arrowpoint Partners, Venrock and Department of Energy.
Joule Unlimited (2007, Bedford, $190M) – Technology developer to produce drop-in fuels using waste carbon dioxide (CO2) feedstock and waste brackish water. Backed by Flagship Ventures.
Sundrop Fuels (2008, Longmont, $155M) – Proprietary bio reforming system to transform cellulosic biomass into clean, affordable, renewable gasoline, jet and diesel fuels. Backed by Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Oak Investment Partners.
Production – Biodiesel
Renewable Energy Group (1996, Ames, IPO) – Advanced biodiesel producer and developer of renewable chemicals. Went Public in January 2012.
Amyris (2003, Emeryville, IPO) – Partnered with Total Oil to produce biodiesel. Backed by KPCB, TGP Growth, Khosla Ventures and DAG Ventures. Went Public in September 2010.
Production – Bioalcohol – Bioethanol
Fulcrum Bioenergy (2007, Pleasanton, $302M) – Manufactures bioethanol from MSW. Backed by Rustic Canyon Partners and US Renewables Group.
Enerkem (2000, Montreal, $284M) – Manufactures bioethanol from MSW. Backed by Braemar Energy Ventures, Rho Capital Partners and BDR Capital.
Production – Bioalcohol – Biobutanol
Cobalt Technologies (2005, Mountain View, $89M) – Manufactures drop-in-fuel biobutanol. Backed by Pinnacle Ventures, VantagePoint Capital Partners and Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund.
Production – Biogas
Stormfisher (2006, Toronto, $350M) – Builds, owns and operates biogas plants. Backed by Denham Capital.
Technology Developer – Horizontal
Virent Energy (2002, Madison, $103M, Acq.) – Technology developer and manufacturer for biofuels and biochemicals. Backed by Royal Dutch Shell, Cargill, Stark Investments and Venture Investors. Acquired by Tesoro in September 2016.
Technology Developer – Biodiesel
Aurora Biofuels (2006, Hayward, $102M) – Technology developer for production of biodiesel from algae. Backed by OAK Investment Partners, Gabriel Venture Partners and Noventi Ventures.
Technology Developer – Bioalcohol – Bioethanol
Mascoma (2006, New Hampshire, $138M, Acq.) – Technology provider and licensor for Bioethanol production. Backed by Atlas Venture, Khosla Ventures, KPCB, General Catalyst Partners, Pinnacle Ventures, Flagship Ventures, GM Ventures, VantagePoint Capital Partners etc. Acquired by Lallemand in November 2014.
Technology Developer – Biomass
Renmatix (2007, Kennesaw, $152.5M) – Technology developer and manufacturer for cellulosic sugar. Backed by KPCB, Total Ventures and BASF Venture Capital.
Technology Developer – Catalyst
Rive Technology (2006, Monmouth Junction, $67M) – Catalyst technology developer for petroleum and renewable industry. Backed by Charles River Ventures, Advanced Technology Ventures and Nth Power.
Feedstock – Oilseeds
SG Biofuels (2007, Encinitas, $37M) – Biomass and plant oils manufacturer and supplier. Backed by Flint Hills Resources, McNerney & Partners and Finstere Ventures.
Leaderboard includes all the top funded, IPO and successfully running bootstrapped companies along with their location, founding year and funding amount.
For latest updates visit Bioenergy feed.