Flying cars, microwave plasma technology for battery production and additive manufacturing, and a platform that converts plastic and other municipal waste into value-added products: Recent Deals worth looking at
Agriculture & Food
Soil Capital (2013) is a developer of an integrated environmental and economic management tool for farmers to de-risk implementation of regenerative agriculture practices. Their carbon certificate program rewards farmers that transition to regenerative agricultural practices, simultaneously helping corporates improve the sustainability of their supply chains.
On September 3rd, Soil Capital raised $16.6.M in Series B funding from Trill Impact, Ring Capital, Sandwater, SFPIM, and Santander Alternative Investments.
The funding will support Soil Capital’s product development and international expansion in Europe. In addition, Soil Capital will further develop its platform to include indicators like soil health, water quality, biodiversity and socio-economic aspects of farm operations.
Energy & Power
Wattalps (2018) manufactures lithium power systems. Wattalps’ existing modular lithium-ion batteries are equipped with patented immersion cooling technology.
Wattalps raised $14.5M in Series A funding from new investors SuperNova Invest, Move Energy, Ring Capital, and CASRA Capital on August 28th. Existing investors EIT Innoenergy, Eximium, and European Innovation Capital also participated in the round.
The funding will be used to expand its manufacturing capabilities in Moirans near Grenoble by eightfold in the next five years. The investment will also be used to expand its product range, expand its team, and improve the cost and productivity of its existing products.
Materials & Chemicals
6K (2014) develops microwave plasma technology to produce battery materials and additive manufacturing powders. Their technologies streamline production processes to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and speed up production time.
6K’s September 6th round raised $82M from Anzu Partners, Energy Impact Partners, LaunchCapital, Material Impact, and Volta Energy Technologies. Following the investment, COO Dr. Saurabh Ullal assumed the role of CEO.
The round will be used to scale up production for battery cathode active materials (CAM) and the expansion for additive manufacturing metal powders.
Resources & Environmental Management
Signol (2017) is a developer of personalized feedback and optimal management practices to help companies increase their productivity, make their employees happier, and reduce their carbon footprint.
On September 2nd, Signol raised $3M in Series A funding led by TMV, with the participation of MOL Plus, and existing investor East Innovate.
Through the round, Signol will focus on enhancing its solution and increasing commercial traction in the aviation and shipping industries. It will also implement a proof-of-concept (POC) in the corporate travel sector, using behavior change to reduce avoidable emissions from business travel.
Transportation & Logistics
Skydrive (2018) develops and manufactures flying cars. Currently, SkyDrive is preparing to start deliveries of its aircraft in time for 2026 and holds pre-orders from prospective customers across Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the U.S.
Skydrive’s August 29th growth equity round raised $55M from Inventum Ventures, Osaka Metro, Mizuho Bank, and Energy & Environment Investment. Investor Osaka Metro is currently working with SkyDrive to demonstrate eVTOL aircraft during the Expo 2025 in Osaka.
The investment will be used to improve eVTOL capabilities and flight testing in preparation for mass production. It will also strengthen its various team to prepare for mass production.
Waste and Recycling
Purifire Labs (2019) provides a circular waste platform which converts plastic and other municipal waste into value-added products. Built on the early research into hydrothermal technologies developed by founder Dr. Matthew Pearce at Cranfield University, Purifire aims to scale green hydrogen, biomethanol and sustainable fuel production to compete with fossil fuels.
Purifire Labs raised $3.5M in Seed funding on August 28th from Hico Capital, Bulnes Capital, and R&R investments with the participation of angel investor Abhishek Desai.
The investment will support development of green methanol for shipping and other sustainable fuels.
