A new approach
to impact
investing

Investing in fundamental scientific breakthroughs by leading innovators to solve industry’s hardest problems in critical impact sectors

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ENERGY MATERIALS BIOTECH MANUFACTURING SEMICONDUCTORS AGRICULTURE

We invest in companies with massive impact potential

We work with our portfolio founders to chart the path from scientific breakthrough to commercial success: accelerate technology de-risking, verify product market fit, and reduce time/resource to market. Scaled successfully, these companies will enable us to meet critical climate goals, feed a growing world sustainably, and improve human health globally.

OUR FOCUS

We believe the hardest problems of today will be solved with scientific breakthroughs

ENERGY

From generation to storage, increasing access to affordable, reliable and renewable energy

MATERIALS

Advanced materials for building better, more sustainable goods and infrastructure at a global scale

BIOTECH

Enabling sustainable manufacturing for industry and new products for improving human health

MANUFACTURING

Process and technology innovation for sustainable manufacturing

SEMICONDUCTORS

Next-gen semiconductor and quantum computing technology to power a sustainable future

AGRICULTURE

Increasing production while reducing waste and carbon emission to feed a growing world

What We Look For

As an early-stage investor, we seek out leading innovators with game changing technologies, who are on a mission to use entrepreneurship for the greater good. The ideal founding teams are often multi-disciplinary, recognize what they do not know, and exhibit the leadership potential to close the knowledge gap.

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PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

Cost-effective CO2 removal from air at scale

Zero-carbon, low-cost, long-duration, grid-scale energy storage and industrial heat

Carbon-negative Portland cement

Direct discovery of microbial ensembles with advanced microbial interaction screening technology

Enzyme-stabilization technology for truly biodegradable or perfectly recyclable plastic

Reimagining battery manufacturing from the inside out

Bespoken bacteria for biomanufacturing using high throughput functional genomics and machine learning

Advanced resins for industrial additive manufacturing

Advanced materials solution for better Li-metal batteries

Transforming the food system using seaweeds — the most sustainable protein source on the planet

Biocatalysis for engineered enzymes to transform chemical engineering

Next-gen geothermal technology for 24x7 carbon free energy

Planet-friendly heating and cooling using heat pumps

Quantum entanglement solutions for next-gen telecom networks

Wireless charging to power the future of mobility

Localized metal manufacturing for a greener planet

Industrial photosynthesis to transform CO2 into everyday products

OUR TEAM

Alain Harrus

Managing Partner, Co-Founder

Michelle Kiang

Managing Partner, Co-Founder

Robert Ethier

Managing Partner, Co-Founder

Advisors

With deep connections to an expansive network of high-tech focused visionary leaders across academia, corporations and venture ecosystems who are committed to supporting scientific entrepreneurs and innovations, we partner with our advisors to source, diligence, mentor and connect ISV portfolio companies with the resources needed for their future success.

Ilan Gur

CEO & Co-founder

Regis Kelly

Executive Director & Professor

Tsu-Jae King Liu

Dean, College of Engineering

Vinit Nijhawan

MD, Serial entrepreneur

Martin Eberhard

Co-founder

Marc Tarpenning

Co-founder

Dick Swanson

Founder

Annette Finsterbusch

Founder, Applied Ventures CEO

RECENT NEWS

Latest news about our portfolio companies

Fervo Energy Raises $138 Million for 24/7 Carbon-Free Next-Generation Geothermal Energy

August 22, 2022
Microsoft and Alaska Airlines are working with this startup to make clean jet fuel from carbon emissions

August 22, 2022
Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul Announce $70 Million Initial Investment to Decarbonize NYCHA Buildings as Part of Clean Heat for All Challenge

August 2, 2022
4 startups that investors and the auto industry are betting on to help the electric-vehicle-battery industry navigate a massive supply shortage

July 26, 2022
Umaro Foods Launches Bacon in Favorite Restaurants From Coast to Coast

July 18, 2022
Power Players: Meet 30 leaders driving the electric-vehicle revolution at white-hot companies like Rivian, GM, and Lucid

June 19, 2022
Brimstone to Produce the World’s First Carbon-Negative Portland Cement

April 28, 2022
These scientists bonded over toilet tech. Now they’re working on carbon-free cement

April 28, 2022
Umaro is turning ocean-farmed seaweed into imitation bacon

April 27, 2022
Read the 11-slide pitch deck startup Liminal used to scoop up $8 million to help electric car makers avoid costly battery recalls — and get ahead of Tesla

April 5, 2022
Antora Energy Raises More Than $50M to Decarbonize Heavy Industry With Renewable Heat and Power as Cheap as Fossil Fuels

February 16, 2022
Bill Gates and Chris Sacca invest in energy storage start-up Antora to help heavy industry go green

February 16, 2022
Sepion Technologies Closes Oversubscribed $16M Series A to Commercialize Safe, Manufacturable Lithium-Metal Batteries

November 18, 2021

Current JOBS

Join companies with massive impact potential

Making cement carbon-negative without changing the product or price

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Powering the Future of Electric Mobility

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Building a food system that supports a wild and thriving planet

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Electrifying heavy industry with zero-carbon heat and power

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Transforming battery manufacturing from the inside out

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Domestication of bacteria

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Production of advanced materials, turning 3D printing into a production tool

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Reinventing humanity's relationship with microbes

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Andrew Hsieh

CEO and Co-Founder

As an investor, Michelle brings her experience as an entrepreneur but also as someone who has worked in large corporations. She was already a trusted advisor for more than a year before ISV formed and invested in Liminal. ISV, and all of our investors, believe in our mission and product, and they’re proven themselves to be real partners.

Matt Price

CFO and Co-Founder

ISV is committed to supporting early-stage founders and is uniquely positioned to be an invaluable resource to Activate Fellows throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

Andrew Hsieh

CEO and Co-Founder

As an investor, Michelle brings her experience as an entrepreneur but also as someone who has worked in large corporations. She was already a trusted advisor for more than a year before ISV formed and invested in Liminal. ISV, and all of our investors, believe in our mission and product, and they’re proven themselves to be real partners.

Matt Price

CFO and Co-Founder

ISV is committed to supporting early-stage founders and is uniquely positioned to be an invaluable resource to Activate Fellows throughout their entrepreneurial journey.