Session Investors

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world’s top petrochemical companies with more than 50B$ sales. The company is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers. SABIC’s businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Agro-nutrients and Specialties. SABIC has significant research resources with 17 dedicated Technology & Innovation facilities in Saudi Arabia, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, India, China and South Korea. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with around 40,000 employees worldwide.

“We Get You Funded”

The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) is the startup incubator of the University of Texas at Austin. ATI focuses on helping startups compete successfully in the capital markets. We don’t write checks. But we have strong, long-term, trust-based relationships with investors – the local angel investors community, local and national venture capital firms, and sources of public funding. It works. Some stats:

- 88% of our 2016 graduating class received funding while at ATI
- Members of that class have now collectively raised over $223 million
- Since 2009 ATI companies have raised over $850 million in the capital markets and achieved over $700 million in exit value

We surround founding teams with talent that they couldn’t otherwise afford.

Our program is customized to each company. We don’t have one process that each member must follow. We’re made-to-measure, not off-the-rack. We find that’s the best way to get results.

The Ventures & Business Development organization serves as a catalyst in Dow's transformation efforts, in which both R&D; and commercial capability support a comprehensive approach to opportunity identification, business modeling and business build-out assessment. Patricia's responsibilities include the identification of new science and technology opportunities that are consistent with Dow's strategic interests, and the development of Dow businesses around new, emerging technologies.

Constellation Technology Ventures (CTV) is the venture investing organization within Exelon Corporation, the nation’s leading competitive energy provider. CTV invests in companies representing innovative energy technologies and business models, building a portfolio that represents a broad range of development stages and technology types. CTV catalyzes growth for its portfolio companies by providing equity capital, management expertise, and connectivity to the broad and diverse Exelon commercial enterprise. Scott leads Constellation Technology Ventures (CTV), the venture capital investing arm of Exelon Corp. In this role, Scott oversees the CTV investing strategy, the management of the CTV portfolio and the commercialization of new energy technologies within the Exelon commercial platform.

Evok Innovations is a unique entrepreneur-led cleantech fund that accelerates the development and commercialization of solutions to the most pressing environmental and economic challenges facing the oil and gas sector today. We protect the environment and strengthen the economy by investing in the commercialization of clean technology.

Evok offers mentorship and customer access for early-stage clean technology companies while accelerating the development and commercialization of breakthrough solutions for strategic partners. We offer entrepreneurs access to major customers, subject matter experts, and opportunities to pilot and demonstrate innovative technologies. Evok is uniquely positioned to drive the commercialization of clean technologies and the large-scale adoption of solutions to the most critical economic and environmental challenges of the energy industry.

Cottonwood Technology Funds (CTF) are seed and pre-seed-stage technology commercialization funds with offices in New Mexico, USA and Enschede, The Netherlands. The general partner of the funds has proven itself with top returns in regions rich in innovation but lacking in capital and management — the other critical resources for enabling success. CTF works to provide venture services and capital to tech transfer opportunities with strong commercial potential.

The CTF model was first developed and tested in the Southeastern US. Today, the Southwestern US and Northern Europe are experiencing a similar combination of advantages and challenges. Once again, returns are validating our approach, which identifies and supports the development of category-leadership companies.

We borrowed our name from a tree that is native to the Southwestern US: the Rio Grande Cottonwood. A welcome sight to pioneer desert caravans because it often signaled water, the Cottonwood typically reaches 50 to 60 feet in height

The New York Angels is one of the longest running active angel groups in New York City and has invested over $100 million in entrepreneurial ventures. The group is an independent consortium of over 100 individual accredited angel investors. The New York Angels typically invest $100,000-$1,000,000 in seed/early stage companies, and syndicate deals with angel group partners and VCs up to $2 million. Because of the vast experience of the membership, the group is receptive to a wide variety of industry sectors. The strength of the group is its ability to pool its money to make large investments, to mentor entrepreneurs to help them achieve their goals, and to make introductions that can accelerate growth.

Sara Chamberlain has worked in the energy and environment sector for nearly a decade, with a core focus on helping energy startups develop commercialization strategies. Working at the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship is a personal passion.

She currently leads Energy Foundry’s investment activity and maintains an active role with each of the firm’s portfolio companies. Prior to joining Energy Foundry, Sara co-managed the government advisory practice for clean technology startups at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she successfully led multiple teams through more than two dozen federal and state grant and loan applications, including over $300 million in research grants, loans and guaranteed loan funding. Sara’s previous experience also includes roles with GE Energy, where she developed a solar manufacturing expansion strategy, and with GaiaTech, where she led the environmental due diligence and regulatory compliance process for over industrial and manufacturing transactions across North America.

From working with large Fortune 500 companies to startup businesses, Sara has broad and deep industry knowledge of the energy sector and was recognized by Midwest Energy News “40 under 40.”

She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business and a BA in Environmental Studies from Emory University.

E.ON provides and operates energy-related services and solutions to residential customers, businesses of all sizes (commercial and industrial), towns and cities. SCI (Scouting and Co-Investments) is E.ON’s Corporate Venture Capital unit which has been investing in start-ups for over 5 years, and made 20 investments. SCI primarily invests in early/mid-stage companies with demonstrated commercial traction, and developing technologies and business models that have a strategic fit with our operating business. SCI acts as investor, and commercial development partner between the start-up and our operating businesses. Usual ticket size: $1 – 5M, plus follow-ons.

Since early 2010, Calvert Advisors has served as a retained commercial advisor to a major international provider of utility-scale power infrastructure strategies in North America. Calvert actively pursues opportunities in electric transmission, renewable and conventional generation, energy storage, and water, with emphasis on small-scale PV, transmission & distribution. Its expertise ranges from optimum capital structure to business development and negotiations on behalf of its clients.

Calvert's Principal, Jim Corboy, has more than 50 years experience in supporting the growth of privately-owned businesses. Jim is an advocate for entrepreneurs, scientists and technology transfer professionals to achieve commercial value from Intellectual Property in a variety of disciplines. He is a Fellow in the 2016 Energy Fellows Institute; and has served as a Mentor to the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps initiative; and DoE's Energy I-Corps.

Constellation Technology Ventures (CTV) is the venture investing organization within Exelon Corporation, the nation’s leading competitive energy provider. CTV invests in companies representing innovative energy technologies and business models, building a portfolio that represents a broad range of development stages and technology types. CTV catalyzes growth for its portfolio companies by providing equity capital, management expertise, and connectivity to the broad and diverse Exelon commercial enterprise. Scott leads Constellation Technology Ventures (CTV), the venture capital investing arm of Exelon Corp. In this role, Scott oversees the CTV investing strategy, the management of the CTV portfolio and the commercialization of new energy technologies within the Exelon commercial platform.

The Israel - Colorado Innovation Fund invests in Israeli startups in the Water/Energy/Transportation sectors and connects them with the US market through Innosphere.

"XPRIZE is an innovation engine. A facilitator of exponential change. A catalyst for the benefit of humanity.

We believe in the power of competition. That it’s part of our DNA. Of humanity itself. That tapping into that indomitable spirit of competition brings about breakthroughs and solutions that once seemed unimaginable. Impossible.

We believe that you get what you incentivize. And that without a target, you will miss it every time. Rather than throw money at a problem, we incentivize the solution and challenge the world to solve it.

We believe that challenges must be audacious, but achievable, tied to objective, measurable goals. And understandable by all.

We believe that solutions can come from anyone, anywhere and that some of the greatest minds of our time remain untapped, ready to be engaged by a world that is in desperate need of help. Solutions. Change. And radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity.

Aravaipa Ventures focuses on technologies that increase resource efficiency and thereby have a global environment impact. We make impact investments in early stage efficiency technology in Colorado. We offer global environmental impact and Colorado social impact combined with the high potential financial returns of early stage technology investing.

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company, manufactures residential and commercial insulation, commercial roofing, mechanical insulation and materials for other manufacturers' products and applications.

Innosphere is a high-tech incubator supporting entrepreneurs building high-growth companies in the industries of health innovation, life sciences, software & hardware, and energy & advanced materials. Innosphere’s incubation program focuses on ensuring companies are investor ready, connecting them with experienced advisors, and making introductions to corporate and strategic partners.

Innosphere has physical locations in Fort Collins, Denver and Boulder to better serve entrepreneurs. Innosphere is headquartered in Fort Collins where they offer class A office space inside their LEED Platinum innovation center with 30,000 square feet of office, wet lab, and conference room space.

All Client Companies going through the critical stages of validation, startup, and growth receive customized development plans, receive ongoing support to ensure they’re getting the know-how to raise the right kind of capital, and all the resources to grow –– exponentially.

At nex47, we look for opportunities in Electrification, Automation and Digitalization. We believe these areas will be shaped by the technologies within our five innovation fields: Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Machines, Blockchain Applications, Connected e-Mobility and Distributed Electrification. We see these innovation fields as key drivers on the way no next-generation intelligence.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is a non-profit research organization working with utilities producing over 90% of the electricity in the US and in over 30 other countries around the world.

Pangaea’s mission is to deliver returns to our investors by investing in entrepreneurs that use advanced materials to make our world better.

Pangaea aims to make the world a better place by investing in highly innovative entrepreneurs, operating lean, capital-efficient businesses enabled by breakthroughs in advanced materials. We are focused on maximizing the value we deliver to our partners, investors, and portfolio companies, while maintaining the highest standard of integrity.

Willing to do science experiments with great scientists, but prefer startups on their way to revenue in significant markets that they will change.

Working closely with our customers we deliver products and solutions that create value and competitive advantage while positively impacting the world we live in. Collectively, our efforts have lasting results, creating higher performance for our customers and reshaping the world around us to build a better future for everyone.

We invest in early to growth stage companies that offer products or services that dramatically improve the profitability of producing or consuming energy. Whether fuel or electricity, alternative or traditional, we help create companies that make energy more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective. Since our founding in 1996 we have managed approximately $500 million and we have delivered nearly 30 exits. We are currently investing out of our fourth fund and have offices in Philadelphia, Toronto, Montreal, Menlo Park and Calgary.

Royal DSM is a multibillion global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. Since its inception in 2001, DSM Venturing, the outside-in arm of our open innovation approach, has invested in more than fifty emerging innovative companies in the US, Canada, Europe and Middle East.

Global Entrepreneur Programme grammar (GEP) is the UK Government's vehicle to seek out international, IP-rich, high-growth-potential, investible propositions across the TRL space. It is a strategic initiative within the Department for International Trade and relies on a network of practising entrepreneurs known as 'Dealmakers' to identify and progress investment opportunities through the network of investment houses affiliated to GEP. Alan is the GEP Dealmaker for Cleantech who already enjoys a long-standing relationship with NREL and the Colorado Cleantech scene (via CCIA and University of Colorado, Boulder, for example).

As a member of Omidyar Network’s investment management team, Jill helps to guide the firm’s investment and portfolio management processes and provides support to portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Omidyar Network, Jill served as vice president of finance and director of financial planning for d.light where she was responsible for the company’s corporate fundraising, fiscal budget, corporate cash flow analyses, and preparation of management and board reporting. She was previously a senior investment officer at Calvert Foundation where she invested in and managed a portfolio of global social impact investments with an emphasis on small businesses operating in the agriculture, renewable energy, health, and financial services sectors. Jill began her career working in South Africa, where she was a program coordinator for TechnoServe, managing operations of a country-wide entrepreneurship development program, and as a program director for Amy Biehl Foundation where she directed a turnaround strategy for a recreationally based community

We are a 25+-year old investment bank, a member of FINRA and SIPC, and have Managing Directors in DC, Boston, Houston, SF and St. Louis. Our focus is energytech and cleantech. We have advised on over 100 debt and equity financing and M&A; assignment in the sector, and have participated in the NREL Growth Forum since 2001. Very interested in working with companies that are seeking $5-$50 million of additional capital or seeking an adviser for a M&A; transaction.

GXPI provides investment capital and strategic value to businesses within the energy value chain. As a strategic investor, our goal is to partner with early stage companies as they grow their business and expand their market share. We bring utility experience, contacts and capital to these partnerships in exchange for equity or debt instruments. We are focused on opportunities in the customer energy solutions and energy infrastructure industries, but are open to attractive investments outside of these sectors within the energy value chain. Other areas of focus include environmental remediation, infrastructure security and renewables services. We primarily target growth equity investments in revenue generating businesses that are primed for expansion and that can benefit from a well-capitalized, industry experienced, strategic partner.

South Highland Ventures is a full service private equity firm managing investments for family offices and funds.

Investing in Early Stage Sustainable Technology

Early stage angel investor based in New York City with a focus on cleantech and fintech. Through 2016, managed an ethically oriented fund which invested in public equities; investor base included a number of family office, impact oriented investors. Professional investor for 25 years, including 15 making growth equity and venture investments with Warburg Pincus. Currently also serving as an Innovation Advisor with NYSERDA, looking to bring a commercial lens to NYSERDA’s grant making activity in cleantech. BS in Economics/majors in Finance and Decision Sciences from Wharton.

In the process of setting up an investment vehicle for moonshot energy and climate innovations. The investment strategy follows two core principles:

1) Adopt a tranche milestone-based investment strategy.

2) Startups have to be receptive to adopt a moonshot planning approach: we help startups identify immediate market applications to drive short-term revenue, and develop the host of technologies to achieve their long-term moonshot.

Constellation Technology Ventures (CTV) is the venture investing organization within Exelon Corporation, the nation’s leading competitive energy provider. CTV invests in companies representing innovative energy technologies and business models, building a portfolio that represents a broad range of development stages and technology types. CTV catalyzes growth for its portfolio companies by providing equity capital, management expertise, and connectivity to the broad and diverse Exelon commercial enterprise. Scott leads Constellation Technology Ventures (CTV), the venture capital investing arm of Exelon Corp. In this role, Scott oversees the CTV investing strategy, the management of the CTV portfolio and the commercialization of new energy technologies within the Exelon commercial platform.

IP Group partners with universities and national labs to commercialize early stage science. We are very comfortable with technical risk and will even invest in unproven concepts. We fund research to derisk and demonstrate technologies, then start companies around the technologies. Accordingly, it's often necessary for us to provide our companies support such as hiring a management ream, HR, business support, legal, etc.

Startups built up strong technology fundamentals addressing a high impact problem.