Breakthrough Energy is an impact investment firm based in Kirkland, Washington, established in 2016. The firm focuses on making minority investments in seed-stage, early-stage, and later-stage companies within the environmental services and cleantech sectors. Guided by scientific and technological expertise, Breakthrough Energy aims to support the development of innovative solutions that provide reliable and affordable power while addressing climate change. The firm is committed to investing patiently in transformative technologies that enhance the way people live, eat, travel, and build, ensuring that these advancements do not contribute to global warming.
Investment Principal and Company Builder, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Jim Cabot
Managing Director, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Priscilla Chan MD
Co-Founder, Breakthrough Energy Coalition
Quinn Cornelius
Senior Director, Strategic Investments
Christian Garcia
Managing Director and Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
William Gates Jr.
Co-Founder, Breakthrough Energy Coalition and Investor
Christina Karapataki
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Sila Kiliccote
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Allegra Kowalewski-Ferreira
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Phil Larochell
Principal
Phil Larochelle Ph.D
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Jack Ma
Founder and Investor
Brian Mayers Ph.D
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Christopher Poirier
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Juilia Reinaud
Senior Director
Cooper Rinzler Ph.D
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Christopher Rivest
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Eric Toone
Executive Managing Director
Libby Wayman
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Stefan Zlatev
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Julia Reinaud Ph.D
Senior Director, Europe
Past deals in Electric Vehicle
Lilac Solutions
Series C in 2024
Lilac Solutions, Inc. is a mining technology company focused on lithium extraction, providing innovative technology and services to lithium producers. The company specializes in ion exchange beads and continuous brine processing systems, which enable the efficient production of high-purity lithium solutions from various brine resources. This technology, grounded in ion-exchange theory, allows lithium producers to enhance project development, improve lithium recovery rates, and optimize operational efficiency while also minimizing costs and environmental impact. Lilac Solutions serves industries such as electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Incorporated in 2015, the company is headquartered in Oakland, California.
Heart Aerospace
Series B in 2024
Heart Aerospace AB, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, with an additional location in Palo Alto, California, focuses on developing an electric regional airliner aimed at enhancing sustainable transportation for regional travel. The company's flagship aircraft, the ES-19, is designed to accommodate nineteen passengers and boasts an operational range of 400 kilometers. Heart Aerospace seeks to significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs compared to traditional aircraft while achieving zero operational emissions. The innovative design allows for a low infrastructural footprint, facilitating the use of small airports located near city centers. Heart's objective is to secure certification for the ES-19 for commercial operations by 2026, aligning with its mission to provide affordable and environmentally friendly travel options across the globe.
KoBold Metals
Series B in 2023
KoBold Metals operates as an AI-powered mineral exploration company focused on discovering materials essential for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors. The company utilizes advanced software that aggregates and structures extensive scientific datasets, including geochemical, geophysical, and geological information. By applying various analytical techniques such as ensemble machine learning and computer vision, KoBold predicts subsurface compositions in a statistically valid manner. This innovative approach enhances the exploration efficiency for mineral resources, particularly cobalt, which is crucial for the electric vehicle industry. By merging ore-deposit science with big data and scientific computing, KoBold Metals aims to identify new sources of cobalt and support the sustainable supply chain for emerging technologies.
Stratus Materials
Series A in 2023
Stratus Materials is a developer and manufacturer of advanced cathode active materials specifically designed for lithium-ion batteries. The company specializes in manganese-rich, cobalt-free materials, which provide a favorable balance of performance, safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. By focusing on these innovative materials, Stratus Materials aims to enhance the performance of electric vehicle batteries and support the growing demand for efficient energy storage solutions.
FleetZero
Venture Round in 2022
Fleetzero, established in 2021 in Auburn, Alabama, is focused on developing a fleet of battery-electric cargo ships aimed at decarbonizing ocean freight. The company designs zero-emission vessels that can be constructed affordably in domestic shipyards, allowing operations in regulated markets where local shipbuilding is required. These electric ships promise lower operational costs and improved reliability compared to traditional fossil-fuel vessels, providing clients with an efficient and sustainable alternative for marine transportation. By facilitating significant reductions in fuel, maintenance, and crew expenses, Fleetzero seeks to transform the freight industry while adhering to environmental standards.
Turntide
Venture Round in 2022
Turntide focuses on advancing sustainable technologies aimed at reducing energy consumption and operational costs across various sectors, including buildings, agriculture, and electric transport. Founded in 2013 and based in Sunnyvale, California, the company has created an innovative electric motor system that utilizes switched reluctance technology, managed through sophisticated cloud software. This system is designed to address the significant energy waste associated with traditional electric motors, which account for a substantial portion of global electricity consumption. By integrating Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, Turntide's solutions enable clients to achieve significant savings in energy costs related to space conditioning, maintenance, and refrigeration, thereby promoting a transition to 100% renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Our Next Energy
Series A in 2022
Our Next Energy is a Michigan-based company founded in 2020 that specializes in developing energy storage technology aimed at enhancing access to sustainable power. The company focuses on safer battery chemistries utilizing sustainable raw materials, while ensuring a reliable, low-cost, and conflict-free supply chain. It aims to improve energy density and safety in battery technology, catering to mobility and grid storage applications. By employing a dual-chemistry design, Our Next Energy provides innovative power solutions that enable original equipment manufacturers to meet market range expectations effectively.
KoBold Metals
Series B in 2022
KoBold Metals operates as an AI-powered mineral exploration company focused on discovering materials essential for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors. The company utilizes advanced software that aggregates and structures extensive scientific datasets, including geochemical, geophysical, and geological information. By applying various analytical techniques such as ensemble machine learning and computer vision, KoBold predicts subsurface compositions in a statistically valid manner. This innovative approach enhances the exploration efficiency for mineral resources, particularly cobalt, which is crucial for the electric vehicle industry. By merging ore-deposit science with big data and scientific computing, KoBold Metals aims to identify new sources of cobalt and support the sustainable supply chain for emerging technologies.
Lilac Solutions
Series B in 2021
Lilac Solutions, Inc. is a mining technology company focused on lithium extraction, providing innovative technology and services to lithium producers. The company specializes in ion exchange beads and continuous brine processing systems, which enable the efficient production of high-purity lithium solutions from various brine resources. This technology, grounded in ion-exchange theory, allows lithium producers to enhance project development, improve lithium recovery rates, and optimize operational efficiency while also minimizing costs and environmental impact. Lilac Solutions serves industries such as electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Incorporated in 2015, the company is headquartered in Oakland, California.
Redwood Materials
Series C in 2021
Redwood Materials, Inc. specializes in the development of innovative recycling processes aimed at creating circular supply chains for lithium-ion batteries and other electronic products. Founded by JB Straubel and based in Carson City, Nevada, the company focuses on recovering valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt, and other metals from end-of-life batteries and electronics. Redwood receives approximately 10 GWh of batteries annually for recycling, which are refined and remanufactured into essential anode and cathode materials. The company is actively working to scale its production capacity to 100 GWh annually by 2025, sufficient to produce over one million electric vehicles each year. By emphasizing sustainable practices, Redwood Materials aims to reduce the environmental impact of battery production and support the growth of the electric vehicle and renewable energy storage markets.
Heart Aerospace
Series A in 2021
Heart Aerospace AB, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, with an additional location in Palo Alto, California, focuses on developing an electric regional airliner aimed at enhancing sustainable transportation for regional travel. The company's flagship aircraft, the ES-19, is designed to accommodate nineteen passengers and boasts an operational range of 400 kilometers. Heart Aerospace seeks to significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs compared to traditional aircraft while achieving zero operational emissions. The innovative design allows for a low infrastructural footprint, facilitating the use of small airports located near city centers. Heart's objective is to secure certification for the ES-19 for commercial operations by 2026, aligning with its mission to provide affordable and environmentally friendly travel options across the globe.
Turntide
Convertible Note in 2021
Turntide focuses on advancing sustainable technologies aimed at reducing energy consumption and operational costs across various sectors, including buildings, agriculture, and electric transport. Founded in 2013 and based in Sunnyvale, California, the company has created an innovative electric motor system that utilizes switched reluctance technology, managed through sophisticated cloud software. This system is designed to address the significant energy waste associated with traditional electric motors, which account for a substantial portion of global electricity consumption. By integrating Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, Turntide's solutions enable clients to achieve significant savings in energy costs related to space conditioning, maintenance, and refrigeration, thereby promoting a transition to 100% renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
WeaveGrid
Series A in 2021
WeaveGrid is a company that focuses on facilitating the integration of electric vehicles (EV) with the electrical grid in collaboration with utilities and EV owners. Its software solution employs machine learning, optimization, and predictive analytics to address various challenges associated with EV-grid integration. By doing so, WeaveGrid enhances the ability of utilities to support the expansion of electric vehicles and the adoption of renewable energy resources. This approach not only promotes rapid decarbonization in the transportation and power sectors but also helps utility customers reduce their bills.
Turntide
Venture Round in 2021
Turntide focuses on advancing sustainable technologies aimed at reducing energy consumption and operational costs across various sectors, including buildings, agriculture, and electric transport. Founded in 2013 and based in Sunnyvale, California, the company has created an innovative electric motor system that utilizes switched reluctance technology, managed through sophisticated cloud software. This system is designed to address the significant energy waste associated with traditional electric motors, which account for a substantial portion of global electricity consumption. By integrating Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, Turntide's solutions enable clients to achieve significant savings in energy costs related to space conditioning, maintenance, and refrigeration, thereby promoting a transition to 100% renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Redwood Materials
Venture Round in 2020
Redwood Materials, Inc. specializes in the development of innovative recycling processes aimed at creating circular supply chains for lithium-ion batteries and other electronic products. Founded by JB Straubel and based in Carson City, Nevada, the company focuses on recovering valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt, and other metals from end-of-life batteries and electronics. Redwood receives approximately 10 GWh of batteries annually for recycling, which are refined and remanufactured into essential anode and cathode materials. The company is actively working to scale its production capacity to 100 GWh annually by 2025, sufficient to produce over one million electric vehicles each year. By emphasizing sustainable practices, Redwood Materials aims to reduce the environmental impact of battery production and support the growth of the electric vehicle and renewable energy storage markets.
Lilac Solutions
Series A in 2020
Lilac Solutions, Inc. is a mining technology company focused on lithium extraction, providing innovative technology and services to lithium producers. The company specializes in ion exchange beads and continuous brine processing systems, which enable the efficient production of high-purity lithium solutions from various brine resources. This technology, grounded in ion-exchange theory, allows lithium producers to enhance project development, improve lithium recovery rates, and optimize operational efficiency while also minimizing costs and environmental impact. Lilac Solutions serves industries such as electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Incorporated in 2015, the company is headquartered in Oakland, California.
MAX
Venture Round in 2019
Max is a company that offers motorcycle taxi and transport services, focusing on addressing last-mile delivery and online retail challenges in Africa. By utilizing mobile and web platforms, Max connects consumers, retail businesses, and independent drivers in real-time, effectively removing traditional logistics and technology barriers that have hindered retail growth in the region. Additionally, Max provides subscription services for electric and low-emission vehicles aimed at commercial drivers, promoting financial freedom and wealth creation through vehicle ownership. This technology-enabled platform ensures that independent drivers have access to safe, reliable, and sustainable mobility solutions.
QuantumScape
Venture Round in 2018
QuantumScape develops solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles and other energy storage applications. The company works to revolutionize the battery industry by producing a solid-state battery that will provide a substantially higher level of battery storage than other batteries currently on the market. It manufactures lithium batteries aimed to accelerate the commercialization of solid-state batteries. The company's innovative approach could significantly impact the future of electric transportation and renewable energy integration. Jagdeep Singh founded the company in San Jose, California in 2010.
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