Hella Ventures

actnano Inc. is a nanotechnology company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced coatings designed to protect automotive and consumer electronics from water damage and harsh environmental conditions. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, actnano offers a range of transparent nano guard coatings that can be applied to electronic devices, enhancing their water resistance to IPx7 levels. This technology allows clients to effectively safeguard their products while integrating seamlessly into existing manufacturing processes. Additionally, actnano serves diverse sectors, including automotive, consumer electronics, and the Internet of Things, with a global presence that includes offices in Shenzhen, China; Stuttgart, Germany; and Seoul, South Korea.

ZaiNar, Inc. is a technology company based in Menlo Park, California, specializing in location tracking solutions. Founded in 2016, ZaiNar has developed a platform that utilizes radio signals to provide real-time tracking of various assets, including cell phones, vehicles, drones, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The company's technology offers a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional tracking methods, achieving sub-meter accuracy over a range exceeding 200 meters. This capability allows enterprises to monitor the location of their assets without the need for direct line of sight, making it particularly effective in dynamic industrial environments.

AEye, Inc. develops advanced vision hardware, software, and algorithms for autonomous vehicles and driver-assistance systems. Based in Dublin, California, the company offers a range of products including the 4Sight Intelligent Sensing Platform, which integrates solid-state lidar with low-light cameras and artificial intelligence to provide precise and reliable perception of surroundings. AEye's unique software-defined lidar solutions are designed for dynamic applications in vehicle autonomy, smart infrastructure, and logistics, focusing on delivering faster and more accurate information. The company's notable products include the 4Sight A and 4Sight M sensors, as well as the AE100 and AE200 robotic perception systems, which cater to the mobility market. AEye operates globally, with offices in Germany, Korea, and the United States, and primarily generates revenue from customers in the United States, followed by Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Ridecell, Inc. specializes in fleet automation and management software solutions aimed at transforming fleet-driven businesses. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in Europe and Asia, Ridecell offers a range of products including Demand-Response software for automating dispatch and scheduling, and Fixed Route services that provide real-time tracking and notifications for public transit users. The Ridecell platform streamlines the management of ridesharing and car-sharing operations, covering aspects such as rider onboarding, driver-rider matching, dynamic pricing, and payment processing. The company serves a diverse clientele, including public and private transportation providers, universities, and logistics fleets, facilitating significant efficiency improvements and operational control in mobility services. Ridecell is recognized for powering successful fleet operations across North America and Europe.

Oculii develops advanced AI software for radar systems, aiming to enhance resolution, range, and accuracy while reducing costs compared to traditional solutions. Its technology is essential for the advancement of autonomous vehicles, which require reliable and high-performance perception capabilities in all weather conditions. By utilizing Virtual Aperture Imaging, Oculii's software allows existing radar hardware to achieve higher angular resolution without the need for increased physical antenna count. This innovation enables the extraction of detailed 4D positioning information from low-cost, off-the-shelf radar components, paving the way for improved radar imaging. Oculii collaborates with leading companies in autonomous vehicles, robotics, and drones, positioning itself as a key player in the development of affordable and effective perception technologies for the future of autonomy.

Wejo partners with automotive manufacturers to manage and enhance connected vehicle data, offering valuable insights to various sectors. The company processes billions of data points from thousands of sensors worldwide, utilizing its proprietary cloud software and analytics platform, Wejo Neural Edge. This technology allows Wejo to deliver insights to a diverse range of clients, including traffic analysts, parking app developers, smart city planners, and government entities in North America and Europe. By licensing its data, Wejo aims to create economic value, improve driving safety, enhance the livability of cities, and elevate the overall driving experience. Through its services, Wejo seeks to unlock the potential of in-vehicle data for both public and private organizations.

AMP operates as an energy management solutions provider for e-mobility. Its technology underpins offerings from e-mobility pioneers and those on the verge of disrupting the market.

Drishti provides AI-powered video analytics technology that gives visibility and insights for manual assembly line improvement, Its training function uses AI, video and best practices reinforcement to train new employees, cross-train existing employees and identify what it considers “brilliant outliers”: creative line associates who excel in certain roles or develop new ways to improve standardized work.

Apex.AI, Inc. is a software company that focuses on developing solutions for autonomous mobility systems, particularly self-driving vehicles. Founded in 2017 and based in Palo Alto, California, the company offers Apex.OS, a software framework that simplifies the complexity of hardware and software integration through user-friendly APIs. Additionally, Apex.AI provides Apex.Autonomy, which is tailored for safety-critical applications, and MARV.Automotive, a versatile data management platform that facilitates data transfer between vehicles and the cloud. This platform allows for advanced analytics, data introspection, and team collaboration. Apex.AI's software products leverage open-source technologies, enabling developers to create secure and efficient applications for autonomous vehicles.

Light Field Lab is a breakthrough technology startup that builds an innovative holographic ecosystem. It re-creates what optical physics calls a real image for off-screen projected objects by generating a massive number of viewing angles that correctly change with the point of view and location just like in the real world. They enable entirely new business opportunities across consumer and enterprise markets. The company was founded in 2017 by Jon Karafin, Brendan Bevensee, and Ed Ibe, with the single mission to enable a holographic future by building upon the founders’ collective expertise of light field technology innovation. Based in San Jose, CA, Light Field Lab is backed by top-tier venture firms including Khosla Ventures.

Excelfore Corporation specializes in developing cloud-based platforms and connectivity applications tailored for the transportation industry. The company's eSync System facilitates over-the-air updates, diagnostics, and telematics through a comprehensive architecture that includes eSync Servers, vehicles equipped with eSync Clients, and various eSync Agents. Excelfore also provides in-vehicle network protocol stacks and software for advanced vehicle-to-cloud communication, enabling effective vehicle management and data analytics. The company is focused on driving innovation in the Internet of Things (IoT) for automotive applications, partnering with top-tier automotive suppliers to enhance lifecycle management and data utilization. With a strong intellectual property portfolio, Excelfore is positioned to support the development of connected and autonomous vehicles. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Fremont, California, the company has additional offices in China, Germany, Japan, and India.

BreezoMeter Ltd. is a company specializing in real-time air quality monitoring and health recommendations for consumers and businesses, operating primarily in the United States and Israel. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Haifa, Israel, with an additional office in the U.S., BreezoMeter provides street-level air quality data and tailored health solutions for various demographics, including children and athletes. Its suite of APIs offers information on air pollution, pollen, and active fires, making it a preferred choice for companies like Siemens and Tata Motors. The company employs a unique multi-data layer approach that integrates data from governmental sensors, satellites, and weather patterns to achieve high accuracy in air quality reporting. With sophisticated modeling and artificial intelligence, BreezoMeter calculates air quality metrics at a resolution of 0.003 miles (5 meters/16 feet) on an hourly basis across more than 90 countries.

CarForce operates an enterprise cloud-based telematics platform designed to enhance customer satisfaction and retention for franchise dealerships. The platform addresses the challenges faced by consumers and dealers related to vehicle maintenance and diagnostics. With 162 million used vehicles lacking embedded telematics, consumers often find themselves uncertain when warning lights appear, while dealers remain unaware of potential service needs. CarForce's solution offers real-time updates on vehicle health, allowing service centers to identify service opportunities promptly. This capability enables dealers to provide timely maintenance services, including remote diagnostics and emergency repairs, thereby improving customer trust and loyalty. Founded by Jessika Lora, who has extensive experience in the automotive and e-commerce sectors, CarForce aims to empower dealerships with actionable insights, enhancing the overall customer experience in vehicle maintenance.

Ario, Inc. is a technology company based in Seattle, Washington, that specializes in the manufacturing of intelligent lighting systems designed to enhance health and well-being. Founded in 2015, Ario's flagship product, the Ario lamp, automatically adjusts its light direction, color, and intensity throughout the day to align with the body's natural hormone production and circadian rhythm. The company is committed to helping individuals lead healthier lives through innovative lighting solutions.

CarForce operates an enterprise cloud-based telematics platform designed to enhance customer satisfaction and retention for franchise dealerships. The platform addresses the challenges faced by consumers and dealers related to vehicle maintenance and diagnostics. With 162 million used vehicles lacking embedded telematics, consumers often find themselves uncertain when warning lights appear, while dealers remain unaware of potential service needs. CarForce's solution offers real-time updates on vehicle health, allowing service centers to identify service opportunities promptly. This capability enables dealers to provide timely maintenance services, including remote diagnostics and emergency repairs, thereby improving customer trust and loyalty. Founded by Jessika Lora, who has extensive experience in the automotive and e-commerce sectors, CarForce aims to empower dealerships with actionable insights, enhancing the overall customer experience in vehicle maintenance.

Brighter AI Technologies GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in artificial intelligence-enabled software solutions that focus on video anonymization and identity protection. The company develops innovative software to recreate daylight images from infrared night images, enhancing capabilities for security professionals in suspect identification while ensuring compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR. Brighter AI's technology effectively anonymizes personally identifiable information, such as faces, allowing organizations to utilize publicly recorded camera data for analytics and AI applications without compromising individual privacy. Recognized as a leading player in the field, the company has garnered accolades for its contributions to privacy-preserving technologies across various sectors, moving beyond its initial focus in the automotive industry.

Halion Displays Inc., founded in 2015 and located in Waterloo, Canada, specializes in the development of low-power, full-color displays designed for portable devices, including smartwatches and e-readers. The company's innovative technology is inspired by traditional printing methods, utilizing advanced cyan, magenta, and yellow materials that can rapidly change colors, thus providing a high refresh rate. Halion Displays aims to establish a new global standard in display technologies, offering daylight-visible displays that combine the best features of print with the capability to display video, enhancing the user experience in next-generation devices.