Breakthrough Energy

Breakthrough Energy is an impact investment firm founded in 2016 and based in Kirkland, Washington. It is composed of members from the Breakthrough Energy Coalition and focuses on investing in innovative technologies aimed at providing reliable and affordable energy without contributing to climate change. The firm targets companies in the environmental services and cleantech sectors, making minority investments at various stages of development, including seed, early, and later stages. Breakthrough Energy emphasizes the importance of a public-private partnership involving governments, research institutions, and investors to accelerate the development of zero-emission energy solutions. By leveraging scientific and technological expertise, Breakthrough Energy aims to address pressing energy needs, particularly in underserved regions, while fostering the creation of transformative energy technologies that can mitigate climate change impacts.

Bunmi Adekore

Investor

Tara Bansal

Investor

Gaetan Bonhomme Ph.D

Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Jim Cabot

Managing Director

Bhargavi Chevva

Investor

Quinn Cornelius

Investor

David Danielson Ph.D

Managing Director, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Christian Garcia

Managing Director

Thomas Griffin

Investor

Mark Hartney

Principal

Timothy Heidel

Principal

Christina Karapataki

Partner

Sila Kiliccote

Partner

Allegra Kowalewski-Ferreira

Investor

Phil Larochell

Principal

Phil Larochelle

Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Cheua Lovan

Investor

Jack Ma

Founder

Brian Mayers

Investor

Jeff Momplaisir

Senior Associate

Juilia Reinaud

Senior Director

Cooper Rinzler

Investor

Chris Rivest

Investor

David Rubenstein

Investor

Eric Toone

Managing Director

Peter Turner

Investor

Libby Wayman

Investor

Stefan Zlatev

Investor

Julia Reinaud Ph.D

Senior Director, Europe

Past deals in Energy Efficiency

Terabase

Series B in 2022
Terabase Energy, Inc. designs and develops automation and digital deployment solutions for utility-scale solar projects. It offers a cloud-based artificial intelligence project development platform which enables users to collaborate digital models of projects. Additionally, the company offers technical advisory and engineering services. Terabase Energy, Inc. was founded in 2019 and is based in Berkeley, California, with an additional office in Melbourne, Australia.

ReMo Energy

Seed Round in 2022
ReMo Energy is a pioneer in the use of renewable energy in place of fossil fuels to produce industrial goods.

H2SITE

Series A in 2022
H2SITE specializes in the development of renewable technology for the onsite production of hydrogen, primarily targeting small and medium-sized enterprises. The company offers a compact solution for producing, transporting, and storing low-carbon hydrogen, making it a viable option for businesses looking to reduce costs associated with transportation and energy waste. By facilitating onsite hydrogen generation, H2SITE enables companies to access the global hydrogen market more effectively, promoting sustainability and efficiency in energy use.

Turntide

Venture Round in 2022
Turntide Technologies (formerly Software Motor Company) has developed an efficient and intelligent electric motor system. The revolutionary Smart Motor System is based on proven switched reluctance technology, now managed with advanced cloud software and connected to precise controls via IoT. Turntide’s vision is to eliminate the 25% of global electricity consumption that is wasted by legacy motors, thus accelerating the world’s transition from fossil fuels. Turntide is based in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in San Francisco; Arlington, Washington; and Kennesaw, Georgia. Turntide has installed Smart Motor Systems with dozens of customers, reducing their motor electricity consumption by an average of 64%, and is powering the systems of leading OEMs.

Brimstone

Series A in 2022
Brimstone Energy is a hardware cleantech startup that aims to reduce CO2 emissions through innovative technologies.

SparkMeter

Venture Round in 2022
SparkMeter, Inc. specializes in electricity metering systems tailored for rural and urban utilities in developing markets. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya, the company offers a range of products including smart meters designed for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. SparkMeter's solutions facilitate prepaid billing, enhance customer communications, and enable remote monitoring and control, thereby improving grid efficiency and asset performance. By integrating their metering technology with software solutions, SparkMeter enables microgrids and distribution utilities to optimize operations, providing reliable electricity access in underserved areas. This approach not only supports the expansion of electricity distribution but also fosters investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Antora Energy

Series A in 2022
Developer of thermal batteries designed to support the widespread integration of renewable resources on the electricity grid. The company's batteries use solar panels to efficiently convert heat energy to electric energy and also electrify heavy industry with thermal energy storage for zero-carbon heat and power, enabling users to ensure convenient, sustainable and reliable electricity on a global scale while reducing carbon emissions.

Rondo Energy

Series A in 2022
Provider of renewable energy management products and services intended to make industrial decarbonization possible. The company captures low-cost renewable electricity and delivers continuous high-temperature heat, enabling clients to power their operations with zero-carbon energy.

Verdox

Venture Round in 2022
Verdox is dedicated to reversing climate change through the development and deployment of advanced technology. The company’s proprietary electro-swing process, developed at MIT, enables carbon dioxide and other acid gases to be captured with up to 80% less energy and 70% less cost than conventional approaches.

ESS

Post in 2021
Since their founding in 2011, ESS has been focused on laying the groundwork for a future powered by clean and reliable energy. With a team that boasts decades of experience in distributed power generation and energy storage technologies, ESS has developed an extremely cost-effective energy management system that combines a safe, abundant and non-toxic iron electrolyte with their patented flow cell design. This combination of high performance with low cost means that ESS’s technology is ideally suited for applications that range in size from retail energy management to utility-scale renewables integration.

75F

Series A in 2021
75F is a U.S.-based building intelligence company making smart building automation affordable and easy to deploy. 75F leverages IoT, Cloud Computing and Machine Learning for data-driven, proactive building intelligence and controls for HVAC, lighting and energy optimization. 75F's mission is to improve occupant productivity through enhanced comfort and indoor air quality – while saving energy and the environment. 75F is currently headquartered in Burnsville, Minnesota.

Turntide

Convertible Note in 2021
Turntide Technologies (formerly Software Motor Company) has developed an efficient and intelligent electric motor system. The revolutionary Smart Motor System is based on proven switched reluctance technology, now managed with advanced cloud software and connected to precise controls via IoT. Turntide’s vision is to eliminate the 25% of global electricity consumption that is wasted by legacy motors, thus accelerating the world’s transition from fossil fuels. Turntide is based in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in San Francisco; Arlington, Washington; and Kennesaw, Georgia. Turntide has installed Smart Motor Systems with dozens of customers, reducing their motor electricity consumption by an average of 64%, and is powering the systems of leading OEMs.

CubicPV

Venture Round in 2021
CubicPV is a solar industry that relies on legacy technologies with inherent limitations. Conventional solar modules convert sunlight to electricity using a single light-absorbing material and are nearing an efficiency threshold.

Electric Hydrogen

Series A in 2021
Developer of an advanced PEM technology designed to build low-cost, high-efficiency, fossil-free hydrogen systems. The company's low-cost renewable electricity produces clean hydrogen gas for the decarbonization of pollution from industries and eases the dependency on fossil fuels, providing clients with cost-effectively decarbonized gas and reducing massive industrial waste.

Aeroseal

Series A in 2021
Developer of duct sealing technology designed to reduce carbon emissions from buildings. The company's non-toxic, water-based formula seals all the holes in the building envelope, air ducts, and vents, enabling people to make their homes and workplaces more comfortable, and healthier and contribute to a cleaner environment.

VEIR

Series A in 2021
VEIR is focused on advancing electricity transmission through the development of high-temperature superconductors and innovative cooling solutions. The company has created a passive evaporative cryogenic cooling technology that significantly enhances cooling efficiency, delivering 20 times more cooling power per kilogram of nitrogen flow compared to traditional mechanical subcooling methods. By utilizing commercial superconducting tape, VEIR's technology facilitates power delivery at transmission levels over distribution-scale infrastructure without resistive losses. This approach allows clients to streamline permitting processes and create economically viable electric transmission lines, thereby addressing the challenges associated with cooling high-temperature superconductors.

Turntide

Venture Round in 2021
Turntide Technologies (formerly Software Motor Company) has developed an efficient and intelligent electric motor system. The revolutionary Smart Motor System is based on proven switched reluctance technology, now managed with advanced cloud software and connected to precise controls via IoT. Turntide’s vision is to eliminate the 25% of global electricity consumption that is wasted by legacy motors, thus accelerating the world’s transition from fossil fuels. Turntide is based in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in San Francisco; Arlington, Washington; and Kennesaw, Georgia. Turntide has installed Smart Motor Systems with dozens of customers, reducing their motor electricity consumption by an average of 64%, and is powering the systems of leading OEMs.

Malta

Series B in 2021
Malta Inc. is a company that specializes in industrial-grade, grid-scale energy storage solutions, particularly through its innovative electro-thermal energy storage technology. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Malta's system captures energy from various sources, including renewable (wind and solar) and fossil fuel generators. The process involves converting electrical energy into thermal energy, which is stored in molten salt and later reconverted back into electricity using a heat engine. This technology addresses the challenges of energy curtailment by improving the synchronization of energy generation with demand, thereby facilitating the efficient distribution of electricity to the grid as required. Malta was incubated at the Moonshot Factory and has garnered support from leading venture capital and commercial power industry stakeholders, contributing to its mission of enabling affordable and reliable electricity delivery.

Dandelion Energy

Series B in 2021
Dandelion Energy, Inc., founded in 2017 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, specializes in affordable geothermal heating and cooling solutions for residential properties. The company's innovative home geothermal system replaces traditional air conditioning and heating equipment with a heat pump and underground pipes that efficiently transfer thermal energy between the earth and the home. This proprietary installation process allows homeowners to transition from conventional heating fuels to renewable geothermal energy, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative for temperature regulation and hot water production.

Form Energy

Series C in 2020
Form Energy, Inc. specializes in developing long-duration energy storage systems aimed at facilitating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The company focuses on creating low-cost battery solutions capable of storing electricity generated from wind and solar power for extended periods, thereby enhancing the reliability of the electric grid. Its core technology, which includes an innovative iron-air battery, allows for energy dispatch over multiple days, significantly improving the viability of renewable energy as a consistent power source. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, Form Energy also offers Formware, a software tool designed for capacity expansion with advanced optimization capabilities. The company's mission revolves around enabling deep decarbonization of the electric system, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable energy future. Form Energy has garnered support from various investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and MIT’s The Engine.

SparkMeter

Series A in 2020
SparkMeter, Inc. specializes in electricity metering systems tailored for rural and urban utilities in developing markets. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya, the company offers a range of products including smart meters designed for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. SparkMeter's solutions facilitate prepaid billing, enhance customer communications, and enable remote monitoring and control, thereby improving grid efficiency and asset performance. By integrating their metering technology with software solutions, SparkMeter enables microgrids and distribution utilities to optimize operations, providing reliable electricity access in underserved areas. This approach not only supports the expansion of electricity distribution but also fosters investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

enVerid

Series B in 2020
enVerid has developed a patented air treatment and energy saving system for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems that brings technology originally used for maintaining air quality in submarines and space stations to commercial buildings. enVerid’s differentiated energy saving technology enables businesses to save substantially on heating/cooling energy costs annually, bringing a return on investment to customers quickly.

ESS

Series C in 2019
Since their founding in 2011, ESS has been focused on laying the groundwork for a future powered by clean and reliable energy. With a team that boasts decades of experience in distributed power generation and energy storage technologies, ESS has developed an extremely cost-effective energy management system that combines a safe, abundant and non-toxic iron electrolyte with their patented flow cell design. This combination of high performance with low cost means that ESS’s technology is ideally suited for applications that range in size from retail energy management to utility-scale renewables integration.

75F

Series A in 2019
75F is a U.S.-based building intelligence company making smart building automation affordable and easy to deploy. 75F leverages IoT, Cloud Computing and Machine Learning for data-driven, proactive building intelligence and controls for HVAC, lighting and energy optimization. 75F's mission is to improve occupant productivity through enhanced comfort and indoor air quality – while saving energy and the environment. 75F is currently headquartered in Burnsville, Minnesota.

Form Energy

Series B in 2019
Form Energy, Inc. specializes in developing long-duration energy storage systems aimed at facilitating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The company focuses on creating low-cost battery solutions capable of storing electricity generated from wind and solar power for extended periods, thereby enhancing the reliability of the electric grid. Its core technology, which includes an innovative iron-air battery, allows for energy dispatch over multiple days, significantly improving the viability of renewable energy as a consistent power source. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, Form Energy also offers Formware, a software tool designed for capacity expansion with advanced optimization capabilities. The company's mission revolves around enabling deep decarbonization of the electric system, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable energy future. Form Energy has garnered support from various investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and MIT’s The Engine.

Malta

Series A in 2018
Malta Inc. is a company that specializes in industrial-grade, grid-scale energy storage solutions, particularly through its innovative electro-thermal energy storage technology. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Malta's system captures energy from various sources, including renewable (wind and solar) and fossil fuel generators. The process involves converting electrical energy into thermal energy, which is stored in molten salt and later reconverted back into electricity using a heat engine. This technology addresses the challenges of energy curtailment by improving the synchronization of energy generation with demand, thereby facilitating the efficient distribution of electricity to the grid as required. Malta was incubated at the Moonshot Factory and has garnered support from leading venture capital and commercial power industry stakeholders, contributing to its mission of enabling affordable and reliable electricity delivery.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.