Alumni Ventures

ION Storage Systems, LLC specializes in the manufacture of solid-state lithium-ion batteries, targeting industries such as defense, aerospace, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles. Established in 2015 and based in College Park, Maryland, the company focuses on developing batteries that are energy dense and safe for diverse applications. Their innovative solid-state battery technology features a design consisting of two sponges on either side of a thin ceramic separator, utilizing low-cost, non-flammable materials. This approach not only enhances safety but also ensures the batteries are lightweight and compact, making them suitable for various environments and mission-critical needs.

Astro Mechanica is a developer of innovative jet engine technology, specifically the Electric Adaptive Engine. This cutting-edge engine replaces conventional aircraft engines by utilizing electric motors to drive the compressor. This design allows the compressor to operate at variable speeds and adapt to different speeds and combustion cycles. As a result, the Electric Adaptive Engine enables the manufacture of more efficient aircraft with significantly lower fuel consumption, positioning Astro Mechanica as a key player in the evolution of aerospace technology.

ION Storage Systems, LLC specializes in the manufacture of solid-state lithium-ion batteries, targeting industries such as defense, aerospace, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles. Established in 2015 and based in College Park, Maryland, the company focuses on developing batteries that are energy dense and safe for diverse applications. Their innovative solid-state battery technology features a design consisting of two sponges on either side of a thin ceramic separator, utilizing low-cost, non-flammable materials. This approach not only enhances safety but also ensures the batteries are lightweight and compact, making them suitable for various environments and mission-critical needs.

Citrine Informatics, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance materials development. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, with an additional office in Pittsburgh, the company operates a platform that aggregates and analyzes extensive datasets related to materials, chemicals, and devices. This platform aims to streamline research and development, manufacturing, and supply chain processes for organizations involved in producing physical products. By employing data science and machine learning, Citrine Informatics accelerates the discovery of new materials and helps identify defects early in the research process, thereby improving product design and development efficiency across various sectors, including energy, aerospace, and electronics.

Nextiles builds a smart apparel platform that helps people exercise better, more safely, and more efficiently. The company pairs athletic apparel with an analytics system that identifies new insights about a persons movement. The company weaves and threads electrically conductive fibers to develop new types of wearable circuitry, through a repurposed sewing technology. The company has an expertise in electrical engineering and circuit design, giving the unique ability to merge fabrics and hardware to engineer new wearable platforms. Nextiles was founded on 2019 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

ION Storage Systems, LLC specializes in the manufacture of solid-state lithium-ion batteries, targeting industries such as defense, aerospace, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles. Established in 2015 and based in College Park, Maryland, the company focuses on developing batteries that are energy dense and safe for diverse applications. Their innovative solid-state battery technology features a design consisting of two sponges on either side of a thin ceramic separator, utilizing low-cost, non-flammable materials. This approach not only enhances safety but also ensures the batteries are lightweight and compact, making them suitable for various environments and mission-critical needs.

Zendar Inc. specializes in the manufacture of high-resolution radar systems for autonomous vehicles. Founded in 2017 and located in Berkeley, California, the company offers a product that merges the advantages of radar technology, such as long-range capabilities and all-weather functionality, with the resolution typically associated with lidar systems. Zendar's radar solutions are designed to enhance the safety and reliability of self-driving cars, allowing them to operate effectively in adverse weather conditions. Through its innovative technology, Zendar aims to enable true all-weather autonomy for autonomous vehicles, ensuring safer driving experiences in challenging climatic environments.

ARRIS specializes in additive molding technology for creating advanced performance composites tailored for mass-market applications such as aerospace, automotive, and consumer products. The company’s innovative manufacturing process focuses on the precise alignment of continuous carbon fibers, allowing for the integration of electronic components and multifunctional materials into a single, topologically optimized part. This technology enables clients to leverage high-performance composites, enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of their products while meeting the demands of modern manufacturing.

Citrine Informatics, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance materials development. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, with an additional office in Pittsburgh, the company operates a platform that aggregates and analyzes extensive datasets related to materials, chemicals, and devices. This platform aims to streamline research and development, manufacturing, and supply chain processes for organizations involved in producing physical products. By employing data science and machine learning, Citrine Informatics accelerates the discovery of new materials and helps identify defects early in the research process, thereby improving product design and development efficiency across various sectors, including energy, aerospace, and electronics.

Ayar Labs, Inc. specializes in the development of optical interconnect technology, focusing on high-density electronic-photonic chiplets and lasers designed to enhance data transmission capabilities. Its flagship product, TeraPHY, is a monolithic in-package optical I/O solution that enables high bandwidth, low latency, and power-efficient short-reach interconnects, making it suitable for applications in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, cloud computing, telecommunications, and aerospace. The company's innovative approach leverages industry-standard silicon processing techniques to create optical interconnect chiplets that replace traditional electrical-based I/O, addressing performance and efficiency challenges in the semiconductor and computing industries. By optimizing data movement within AI systems, Ayar Labs aims to alleviate compute and bandwidth bottlenecks associated with complex large language models, thereby maximizing computational efficiency while minimizing costs and power consumption. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, Ayar Labs also has an office in Santa Clara, California.

Linear Labs, Inc., based in Fort Worth, Texas, specializes in manufacturing innovative electric motors for various industries, including electric vehicles, micro-mobility, robotics, and HVAC systems. The company's flagship product, the Hunstable Electric Turbine, features a unique design with multiple rotors, allowing it to perform efficiently under diverse conditions. Linear Labs focuses on enhancing energy utilization with its advanced motor systems, which can adapt their physical design in real-time to optimize performance. This technology results in significant improvements in torque, extended operational range, and reduced power consumption. By utilizing these new motor designs, customers can lower costs associated with components, raw materials, and assembly while increasing overall motor efficiency. Founded in 2012, Linear Labs aims to lead the evolution of electric motor technology for a more sustainable future.

ARRIS specializes in additive molding technology for creating advanced performance composites tailored for mass-market applications such as aerospace, automotive, and consumer products. The company’s innovative manufacturing process focuses on the precise alignment of continuous carbon fibers, allowing for the integration of electronic components and multifunctional materials into a single, topologically optimized part. This technology enables clients to leverage high-performance composites, enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of their products while meeting the demands of modern manufacturing.

ARRIS specializes in additive molding technology for creating advanced performance composites tailored for mass-market applications such as aerospace, automotive, and consumer products. The company’s innovative manufacturing process focuses on the precise alignment of continuous carbon fibers, allowing for the integration of electronic components and multifunctional materials into a single, topologically optimized part. This technology enables clients to leverage high-performance composites, enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of their products while meeting the demands of modern manufacturing.

NuCurrent, Inc. is a developer based in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in high-efficiency antennas and inductive components for wireless power applications. Founded in 2009, the company designs, fabricates, and integrates wireless power antennas and surface-mount inductors for various applications, including power electronics, RF devices, and frequency synthesizers. NuCurrent's products comply with industry standards such as the Alliance for Wireless Power and the Wireless Power Consortium, ensuring broad compatibility. The company collaborates closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and integrators to provide custom-designed, rapid-prototype solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce size, and lower costs. By employing patented designs and advanced manufacturing techniques, NuCurrent aims to improve the durability and performance of wireless power systems, facilitating the evolution of electronic devices.

AVA is a developer of a lightweight health device that monitors and filters pollutants. Its health device uses air quality sensors to filter small particles, which can be charged using a USB port and regulated through an application with the increasing levels of air impurities that enable users to protect themselves from specific pollutant details that can negatively affect their health.

Smart Wires is an electrical and electronics company founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. It specializes in grid optimization solutions, particularly for medium and high voltage electricity transmission grids. The company develops and manufactures modular power flow control technology devices designed to manage and direct power flow within high electric transmission systems. By utilizing advanced power electronics hardware and software, Smart Wires enhances and optimizes grid capacity, addressing challenges such as transmission reliability and congestion management in the evolving energy landscape.

Phase Four LLC is a manufacturer of satellite propulsion systems based in Pasadena, California, founded in 2015. The company specializes in electric propulsion for small satellites, offering innovative products such as the CubeSats ambipolar thruster and the Maxwell plasma propulsion solution. Its core technology, the Radio Frequency Thruster (RFT), distinguishes itself by eliminating the need for a hollow cathode and high voltage electronics, resulting in significant cost savings, reduced size of power electronics, and compatibility with various propellants. Phase Four's propulsion systems are designed to be small and lightweight, featuring a patented magnetic nozzle to optimize thrust, allowing clients to effectively maneuver satellites into various orbits while minimizing operational costs. The company's products are utilized across commercial, civil, and scientific space missions, reflecting its commitment to advancing the capabilities of space exploration.

AVA is a developer of a lightweight health device that monitors and filters pollutants. Its health device uses air quality sensors to filter small particles, which can be charged using a USB port and regulated through an application with the increasing levels of air impurities that enable users to protect themselves from specific pollutant details that can negatively affect their health.

Phase Four LLC is a manufacturer of satellite propulsion systems based in Pasadena, California, founded in 2015. The company specializes in electric propulsion for small satellites, offering innovative products such as the CubeSats ambipolar thruster and the Maxwell plasma propulsion solution. Its core technology, the Radio Frequency Thruster (RFT), distinguishes itself by eliminating the need for a hollow cathode and high voltage electronics, resulting in significant cost savings, reduced size of power electronics, and compatibility with various propellants. Phase Four's propulsion systems are designed to be small and lightweight, featuring a patented magnetic nozzle to optimize thrust, allowing clients to effectively maneuver satellites into various orbits while minimizing operational costs. The company's products are utilized across commercial, civil, and scientific space missions, reflecting its commitment to advancing the capabilities of space exploration.

Clear Ballot Group, Inc., based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializes in developing innovative election software and hardware products. Founded in 2009, the company introduced its first product in 2012, pioneering the nation’s first independent, automated audit system. Clear Ballot offers the ClearVote voting system, which is designed to enhance the speed, accuracy, and transparency of elections. This federally certified system, which operates on modern browser-based software, is utilized by election officials in several states, including Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, Clear Ballot provides modular voting systems and conducts statewide post-election audits in Maryland and Vermont, along with audits in various counties in Florida and New York. The company's solutions cater to the unique budgetary needs of counties and municipalities, ensuring that election processes are efficient and reliable.

Clear Ballot Group, Inc., based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializes in developing innovative election software and hardware products. Founded in 2009, the company introduced its first product in 2012, pioneering the nation’s first independent, automated audit system. Clear Ballot offers the ClearVote voting system, which is designed to enhance the speed, accuracy, and transparency of elections. This federally certified system, which operates on modern browser-based software, is utilized by election officials in several states, including Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, Clear Ballot provides modular voting systems and conducts statewide post-election audits in Maryland and Vermont, along with audits in various counties in Florida and New York. The company's solutions cater to the unique budgetary needs of counties and municipalities, ensuring that election processes are efficient and reliable.