180 Degree Capital
180 Degree Capital is an investment firm located in Montclair, New Jersey, specializing in a range of sectors including technology, nanotechnology, energy, clean technology, healthcare, and electronics. Established in 1981, the firm is recognized as a proactive investor in small technology companies, focusing on those that develop innovative nanoscale-enabled solutions across various applications such as solid state lighting, memory devices, and life sciences. 180 Degree Capital often collaborates with other venture capital firms and strategic investors, positioning itself as a lead investor in many cases. The firm adheres to a traditional early-stage venture capital model, seeking to support technology-based startups through its extensive network, technical expertise, and financial resources. It prioritizes investments in companies that demonstrate strong scientific, technological, and business capabilities, particularly those with proprietary technologies and market-centric strategies aimed at dominating significant product categories. Though primarily focused on the United States, the firm has occasionally explored international investments.
Past deals in Nanotechnology
Enumeral Biomedical Holdings
Post in 2014
Enumeral Biomedical Holdings is a biotechnology company that focuses on developing innovative antibody immunotherapies aimed at enhancing the immune system's ability to combat diseased cells. Utilizing a microengraving process enabled by nanotechnology, the company explores opportunities in immunology, including therapeutic discovery, immune profiling, and personalized medicine. By extensively analyzing the human immune microenvironment, Enumeral enables physicians to identify and characterize new drugs relevant to cancer, infectious diseases, and inflammatory conditions. The company's mission is to address the needs of patients who are underserved in the diagnosis and treatment of these diverse health challenges.
HZO
Series B in 2014
HZO specializes in protective nano and conformal coatings designed to safeguard electronic components in challenging environments. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, the company offers innovative water protection solutions tailored for electronics manufacturers. By utilizing advanced thin-film protective technology, including Parylene coatings, HZO enables manufacturers to create durable products capable of withstanding corrosive and liquid exposure. Its focus on nanotechnology and waterproofing allows for effective protection of electronic circuits and components, ensuring reliability in wet and harsh conditions.
Nantero
Series D in 2012
Nantero, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Woburn, Massachusetts, that specializes in the development of semiconductor products using carbon nanotubes. Founded in 2001, Nantero focuses on creating high-density, high-speed nonvolatile random access memory (NRAM) chips, which are designed for a range of applications including smartphones, tablets, enterprise systems, and automotive and industrial uses. The company's innovative memory technology offers advantages such as ultra-high density and zero power consumption in standby mode, making it a competitive alternative to traditional flash memory. In addition to NRAM, Nantero produces various semiconductor products, including nanoelectromechanical switches and memory and logic semiconductor products, while collaborating with licensees to explore additional applications of its core nanotube-based technology.
Contour Energy
Series C in 2011
Contour Energy is a company of portable power that commercializes customizable battery technologies for a wide range of cross-industry applications. It designs its next-generation battery systems to deliver unprecedented improvements in energy and power density, and are capable of performing in extreme operating conditions at significantly improved costs. Founded through the collaboration of Caltech and CNRS, the French National Center for Scientific Research, It combines expertise in nano-materials science, patented fluorine-based battery chemistries and manufacturing processes to significantly advance the state of portable power. With its headquarters in Azusa in California, a team of battery industry leaders from Caltech, Energizer, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Sanyo and Valence Technologies manages it. Private entrepreneurs hold it.
HZO
Series B in 2011
HZO specializes in protective nano and conformal coatings designed to safeguard electronic components in challenging environments. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, the company offers innovative water protection solutions tailored for electronics manufacturers. By utilizing advanced thin-film protective technology, including Parylene coatings, HZO enables manufacturers to create durable products capable of withstanding corrosive and liquid exposure. Its focus on nanotechnology and waterproofing allows for effective protection of electronic circuits and components, ensuring reliability in wet and harsh conditions.
Nano Terra
Debt Financing in 2011
Nano Terra, Inc. is a surface engineering and nanotechnology co-development company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 2005, it specializes in the development and commercialization of advanced materials, coatings, polymer formulations, and high-resolution printing technologies. The company focuses on creating innovative solutions, including ultra-thin electronic displays, fuel cells, sensors, and solar power devices. It serves a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and electronics, by leveraging its expertise in surface science and advanced materials to help clients bring transformative products to market. Nano Terra also addresses critical challenges in national defense and human health through its work in diagnostics and counterfeit detection.
Contour Energy
Series B in 2010
Contour Energy is a company of portable power that commercializes customizable battery technologies for a wide range of cross-industry applications. It designs its next-generation battery systems to deliver unprecedented improvements in energy and power density, and are capable of performing in extreme operating conditions at significantly improved costs. Founded through the collaboration of Caltech and CNRS, the French National Center for Scientific Research, It combines expertise in nano-materials science, patented fluorine-based battery chemistries and manufacturing processes to significantly advance the state of portable power. With its headquarters in Azusa in California, a team of battery industry leaders from Caltech, Energizer, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Sanyo and Valence Technologies manages it. Private entrepreneurs hold it.
Contour Energy
Series A in 2008
Contour Energy is a company of portable power that commercializes customizable battery technologies for a wide range of cross-industry applications. It designs its next-generation battery systems to deliver unprecedented improvements in energy and power density, and are capable of performing in extreme operating conditions at significantly improved costs. Founded through the collaboration of Caltech and CNRS, the French National Center for Scientific Research, It combines expertise in nano-materials science, patented fluorine-based battery chemistries and manufacturing processes to significantly advance the state of portable power. With its headquarters in Azusa in California, a team of battery industry leaders from Caltech, Energizer, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Sanyo and Valence Technologies manages it. Private entrepreneurs hold it.
Xradia
Series D in 2007
Xradia develops technology to help advance innovation in science and industry by providing unique insight through superior X-ray imaging solutions. Our products utilize advanced X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging methodology and optics to nondestructively produce 3D images of objects with exceptional spatial resolution and contrast. Xradia's technology is based on proprietary X-ray optics and detectors. Xradia produces state-of-the-art far-field ambient environment imaging systems capable of 3D imaging with resolution below 50 nm. Xradia's commercial products have 3D resolution from the nanometer level up to several hundred microns.
NeoPhotonics
Series C in 2006
NeoPhotonics is a technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of optical components and subsystems used in high-speed digital communications networks. The company offers a comprehensive range of active and passive optical products tailored for various market segments, including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), data communications, storage area networks, and both metro and long-haul networks. Its product lineup includes transceivers, integrated splitters, multiplexers, and advanced optical modules, all designed to support a wide array of data rates and applications. Notably, NeoPhotonics is recognized for its innovative silica Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) technology, which plays a crucial role in modern optical networks. Additionally, the company produces MEMS-based Variable Optical Attenuators and Dynamic Channel Equalizers, enhancing the performance and efficiency of communication systems.
NanoOpto
Series D in 2006
NanoOpto is a manufacturer specializing in integrated modular nano-optic components for optical systems and networks. The company utilizes proprietary nano-optics and nano-manufacturing technology to develop a range of products, including infrared cut filters, nano-optic isolators, deep ultraviolet polarizers, polarizing beam splitters, optical isolators, microlens arrays, and waveplates. Based on extensive research, NanoOpto's innovations enable rapid prototyping and enhance performance while reducing overall system costs. In addition to its product offerings, the company provides services such as conformal optical coatings through atomic layer deposition, precision coatings via e-beam deposition, precision dicing, and optical design and engineering. NanoOpto operates a high-volume manufacturing facility in Somerset, New Jersey, where it employs subwavelength techniques to improve conventional optical components and develop new classes of integrated components.
NanoGram
Venture Round in 2006
NanoGram Corporation is a nanotechnology company that develops and manufactures products for advanced applications in photovoltaics, electronics, and displays. It offers a customized application-specific nanotechnology platform that provides tailored nanoscale compositions for various industries, including optical, electronic, imaging, biomedical, and energy sectors. The company has successfully incubated and spun out two notable entities, NeoPhotonics and NanoGram Devices. With offices in Tokyo and Seoul, NanoGram enhances its presence in Asia through strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with Nagase & Co., Ltd/Nagase ChemteX Corporation, facilitating development and manufacturing supply relationships in Japan and addressing expanding market opportunities in Korea.
Molecular Imprints
Series C in 2005
Molecular Imprints Inc. is a company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in the manufacture of imprint and lithography systems designed for creating nanometer-scale surface relief structures. Founded in 2001 as a spin-off from the University of Texas, the company has developed a robust portfolio of over 100 patents related to imprint tools, materials, and process technologies. Its core technology, Jet and Flash Imprint Lithography, utilizes an advanced Drop Pattern Generation System to enable precise deposition of photoresist on substrates in extremely small quantities, facilitating the consistent nanoimprinting of features down to 10 nanometers. This innovative approach caters to various high-tech industries, including displays, life sciences, and light-emitting diodes, by providing cost-effective solutions for nanopatterning applications.
NeoPhotonics
Venture Round in 2005
NeoPhotonics is a technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of optical components and subsystems used in high-speed digital communications networks. The company offers a comprehensive range of active and passive optical products tailored for various market segments, including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), data communications, storage area networks, and both metro and long-haul networks. Its product lineup includes transceivers, integrated splitters, multiplexers, and advanced optical modules, all designed to support a wide array of data rates and applications. Notably, NeoPhotonics is recognized for its innovative silica Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) technology, which plays a crucial role in modern optical networks. Additionally, the company produces MEMS-based Variable Optical Attenuators and Dynamic Channel Equalizers, enhancing the performance and efficiency of communication systems.
NanoOpto
Series C in 2005
NanoOpto is a manufacturer specializing in integrated modular nano-optic components for optical systems and networks. The company utilizes proprietary nano-optics and nano-manufacturing technology to develop a range of products, including infrared cut filters, nano-optic isolators, deep ultraviolet polarizers, polarizing beam splitters, optical isolators, microlens arrays, and waveplates. Based on extensive research, NanoOpto's innovations enable rapid prototyping and enhance performance while reducing overall system costs. In addition to its product offerings, the company provides services such as conformal optical coatings through atomic layer deposition, precision coatings via e-beam deposition, precision dicing, and optical design and engineering. NanoOpto operates a high-volume manufacturing facility in Somerset, New Jersey, where it employs subwavelength techniques to improve conventional optical components and develop new classes of integrated components.
Nantero
Series C in 2005
Nantero, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Woburn, Massachusetts, that specializes in the development of semiconductor products using carbon nanotubes. Founded in 2001, Nantero focuses on creating high-density, high-speed nonvolatile random access memory (NRAM) chips, which are designed for a range of applications including smartphones, tablets, enterprise systems, and automotive and industrial uses. The company's innovative memory technology offers advantages such as ultra-high density and zero power consumption in standby mode, making it a competitive alternative to traditional flash memory. In addition to NRAM, Nantero produces various semiconductor products, including nanoelectromechanical switches and memory and logic semiconductor products, while collaborating with licensees to explore additional applications of its core nanotube-based technology.
Cambrios Technologies
Series B in 2005
Cambrios Technologies Corporation is a manufacturer of innovative electronic materials specializing in silver nanowire-based electrodes. Founded in 2002 and originally named Semzyme, Inc., the company rebranded in August 2004. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with additional offices in Japan and Taiwan, Cambrios develops products such as ClearOhm, which are transparent conductive coatings that can be applied to various substrates for multiple applications. These include touch screens, liquid crystal displays, e-paper, OLED devices, and lighting, as well as thin film photovoltaics like organic photovoltaics and printed organic solar cells. Cambrios's technology enables simplified manufacturing processes and enhances the performance of next-generation consumer devices.
NanoGram
Series B in 2004
NanoGram Corporation is a nanotechnology company that develops and manufactures products for advanced applications in photovoltaics, electronics, and displays. It offers a customized application-specific nanotechnology platform that provides tailored nanoscale compositions for various industries, including optical, electronic, imaging, biomedical, and energy sectors. The company has successfully incubated and spun out two notable entities, NeoPhotonics and NanoGram Devices. With offices in Tokyo and Seoul, NanoGram enhances its presence in Asia through strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with Nagase & Co., Ltd/Nagase ChemteX Corporation, facilitating development and manufacturing supply relationships in Japan and addressing expanding market opportunities in Korea.
Molecular Imprints
Series B in 2004
Molecular Imprints Inc. is a company based in Austin, Texas, that specializes in the manufacture of imprint and lithography systems designed for creating nanometer-scale surface relief structures. Founded in 2001 as a spin-off from the University of Texas, the company has developed a robust portfolio of over 100 patents related to imprint tools, materials, and process technologies. Its core technology, Jet and Flash Imprint Lithography, utilizes an advanced Drop Pattern Generation System to enable precise deposition of photoresist on substrates in extremely small quantities, facilitating the consistent nanoimprinting of features down to 10 nanometers. This innovative approach caters to various high-tech industries, including displays, life sciences, and light-emitting diodes, by providing cost-effective solutions for nanopatterning applications.
NeoPhotonics
Series B in 2004
NeoPhotonics is a technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of optical components and subsystems used in high-speed digital communications networks. The company offers a comprehensive range of active and passive optical products tailored for various market segments, including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), data communications, storage area networks, and both metro and long-haul networks. Its product lineup includes transceivers, integrated splitters, multiplexers, and advanced optical modules, all designed to support a wide array of data rates and applications. Notably, NeoPhotonics is recognized for its innovative silica Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) technology, which plays a crucial role in modern optical networks. Additionally, the company produces MEMS-based Variable Optical Attenuators and Dynamic Channel Equalizers, enhancing the performance and efficiency of communication systems.
NanoOpto
Series B in 2003
NanoOpto is a manufacturer specializing in integrated modular nano-optic components for optical systems and networks. The company utilizes proprietary nano-optics and nano-manufacturing technology to develop a range of products, including infrared cut filters, nano-optic isolators, deep ultraviolet polarizers, polarizing beam splitters, optical isolators, microlens arrays, and waveplates. Based on extensive research, NanoOpto's innovations enable rapid prototyping and enhance performance while reducing overall system costs. In addition to its product offerings, the company provides services such as conformal optical coatings through atomic layer deposition, precision coatings via e-beam deposition, precision dicing, and optical design and engineering. NanoOpto operates a high-volume manufacturing facility in Somerset, New Jersey, where it employs subwavelength techniques to improve conventional optical components and develop new classes of integrated components.
Nantero
Series B in 2003
Nantero, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Woburn, Massachusetts, that specializes in the development of semiconductor products using carbon nanotubes. Founded in 2001, Nantero focuses on creating high-density, high-speed nonvolatile random access memory (NRAM) chips, which are designed for a range of applications including smartphones, tablets, enterprise systems, and automotive and industrial uses. The company's innovative memory technology offers advantages such as ultra-high density and zero power consumption in standby mode, making it a competitive alternative to traditional flash memory. In addition to NRAM, Nantero produces various semiconductor products, including nanoelectromechanical switches and memory and logic semiconductor products, while collaborating with licensees to explore additional applications of its core nanotube-based technology.
Nanogram Devices
Venture Round in 2003
Nanogram Devices, established in 2002 and headquartered in Milpitas, California, is a nanotechnology company specializing in the development of products that utilize nanomaterials for power sources in medical devices. The company focuses on advancing technology to enhance the functionality and efficiency of medical equipment through innovative power solutions.
Optiva
Series C in 2003
Optiva develops and manufactures nanomaterials for use in optical, electro-optical, and semiconductor applications.
Nantero
Series A in 2001
Nantero, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Woburn, Massachusetts, that specializes in the development of semiconductor products using carbon nanotubes. Founded in 2001, Nantero focuses on creating high-density, high-speed nonvolatile random access memory (NRAM) chips, which are designed for a range of applications including smartphones, tablets, enterprise systems, and automotive and industrial uses. The company's innovative memory technology offers advantages such as ultra-high density and zero power consumption in standby mode, making it a competitive alternative to traditional flash memory. In addition to NRAM, Nantero produces various semiconductor products, including nanoelectromechanical switches and memory and logic semiconductor products, while collaborating with licensees to explore additional applications of its core nanotube-based technology.
Solesence
Series D in 1994
Nanophase Technologies Corporation, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Romeoville, Illinois, specializes in the production of engineered nanomaterials for diverse industrial applications. The company focuses on developing nano-engineered solutions, offering surface-engineered zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for sunscreens and personal care products. It also provides fully formulated cosmetics under the Solésence brand. Additionally, Nanophase produces advanced materials, including architectural and industrial coatings, abrasion-resistant additives, plastics additives, and products for medical diagnostics. Its technologies aim to deliver tailored nanomaterial solutions across various markets, including personal care, energy, and surface finishing applications. Through its integrated approach, Nanophase Technologies plays a significant role in enhancing product performance across multiple sectors.
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