A daily newsletter summarizing recent activity & interesting startups in the energy storage sector globally
RECENT NOTABLE ACTIVITY – BIOENERGY
- Chempolis,a technology developer for papermaking fiber and cellulosic ethanol, raised $11.3M investment from Fortum and Taaleri Kiertotalous. Link
- Biomethane gas producer Prodeval raised an undisclosed investment from SUEZ Ventures. Link
- Cool Planet, a technology developer of engineered biocarbon and renewable, carbon negative fuel from biomass, raised $9M North Bridge Venture Partners and Agustín Coppel. Link
- Renmatix, a technology licensor for the conversion of biomass into cellulosic sugar, secured $14M investment from Bill Gates and Total. Link
- CerradinhoBio, a Brazilian producer of bioethanol and biobased electricity, announced debt financing of $47M from IFC. Link
- Red Trail Energy, a bioethanol producer, awarded 490K grant from North Dakota Industrial Commission’s Renewable Energy Program. Link
SOME INTERESTING STARTUPS FOUND
Hitachi Zosen Inova BioMethane (2015, Zeven) – Uses waste heat from CHP facilities or gas boilers and convert biogas to biomethane.
LEADER BOARD – BIOENERGY
Production – Horizontal
Sapphire Energy (2007, San Diego, $290M) – Produces a renewable source of crude oil from algae biomass and operates an algae-to-energy facility. Backed by ARCH Venture Partners, Wellcome Trust, Arrowpoint Partners, Venrock and Department of Energy.
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.
Solazyme (2003, Francisco, IPO) – Manufactures advanced biodiesel derived from microalgae. Backed by Chevron Technology Ventures, Braemar Energy Ventures, LSVP and VantagePoint Capital Partners. Went Public in May 2011.
Production – Bioalcohol – Bioethanol
Fulcrum Bioenergy (2007, Pleasanton, $272M) – 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
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
Technology Developer – Biodiesel
Aurora Biofuels (2006, Hayward, $102M) – Technology developer for the production of biodiesel from algae. Backed by OAK Investment Partners, Gabriel Venture Partners and Noventi Ventures.
Technology Developer – Bioalcohol – Bioethanol
LanzaTech (2005, Skokie, $189M) – Technology developer for the production of bioethanol from carbon-rich wastes. Backed by Khosla Ventures, Siemens Venture Capital and QiMing Venture Partners.
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.