Latest news with #EnergizeCapital
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This startup just raised $15 million to create custom maps with AI for monitoring wildfire and flood risks
California startup Felt has raised $15 million to develop its AI-driven geospatial mapping platform. Users can create custom maps and dashboards with AI by instructing it with prompts. Felt's platform has been adopted by insurers, emergency responders, and energy companies. California-based startup Felt has secured $15 million for its platform that lets customers build custom geospatial maps with generative AI. The startup, launched in 2021, has designed a software tool that turns users' location data points into a map visualization tailored to their business or individual needs, such as monitoring assets for maintenance or project planning. "Cities and businesses rely on maps to run their business," Felt cofounder and CEO, Sam Hashemi, told Business Insider. Traditionally, businesses have used geographic information systems, which combine maps and data points — like how many cars use a certain road — to help them make decisions. "We're building a modern version of this business mapping software," said Hashemi. Felt has pivoted to an AI-first platform where users type in a few natural language prompts to generate any application they need, such as maps, charts, and dashboards. The startup has a wide range of use cases and customers, from NGOs to insurers and emergency responders. "There are so many industries, from agriculture to construction to decarbonization, that use our platform," Hashemi said. Over half of its customers are in the energy and climate sector, he added, pointing to the likes of sustainable cement company Brimstone, which is using Felt to help build a more sustainable concrete analysis tool. Felt's dashboards can also track metrics like deforestation, air quality, and flood risk. The startup's tech has been used to monitor and detect wildfires, a crisis that has alarmed insurers and utility companies and encouraged them to adopt more high-tech mitigation solutions. Northern Arizona State University has used Felt to build a fire-prevention tool, which can help foresters monitor tree health and mitigate forest fires. The startup makes money by charging an annual subscription fee, which varies depending on the customer's tier. There is also a free-for-use model for individuals. Smaller teams are charged a team rate, and larger enterprises can access Felt's in-house team and expertise. Despite Felt's close work with climate-adjacent sectors, an industry that's been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration's anti-ESG rhetoric, Hashemi found the fundraising process pretty smooth. The funding round, shared exclusively with BI, was led by climate and energy investment fund Energize Capital, with participation from Bain Capital Ventures and Footwork VC. Previously, the startup raised $15 million in Series A funding, plus a $4.5 million seed when it launched. "If you spent any time with maps, and thinking about how your physical information can be digitized, it's very complex," said Juan Muldoon, partner at Energize Capital. "They make this process much simpler. That's what drew us to them," He added that "in the energy transition, every provider, even if it's a utility, is leveraging geospatial data in their business," making it a viable tool for the industry. With the fresh funding, the Felt team plans to double down on its AI platform and expand its team. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
This startup just raised $15 million to create custom maps with AI for monitoring wildfire and flood risks
California-based startup Felt has secured $15 million for its platform that lets customers build custom geospatial maps with generative AI. The startup, launched in 2021, has designed a software tool that turns users' location data points into a map visualization tailored to their business or individual needs, such as monitoring assets for maintenance or project planning. "Cities and businesses rely on maps to run their business," Felt cofounder and CEO, Sam Hashemi, told Business Insider. Traditionally, businesses have used geographic information systems, which combine maps and data points — like how many cars use a certain road — to help them make decisions. "We're building a modern version of this business mapping software," said Hashemi. Felt has pivoted to an AI-first platform where users type in a few natural language prompts to generate any application they need, such as maps, charts, and dashboards. The startup has a wide range of use cases and customers, from NGOs to insurers and emergency responders. "There are so many industries, from agriculture to construction to decarbonization, that use our platform," Hashemi said. Over half of its customers are in the energy and climate sector, he added, pointing to the likes of sustainable cement company Brimstone, which is using Felt to help build a more sustainable concrete analysis tool. Felt's dashboards can also track metrics like deforestation, air quality, and flood risk. The startup's tech has been used to monitor and detect wildfires, a crisis that has alarmed insurers and utility companies and encouraged them to adopt more high-tech mitigation solutions. Northern Arizona State University has used Felt to build a fire-prevention tool, which can help foresters monitor tree health and mitigate forest fires. The startup makes money by charging an annual subscription fee, which varies depending on the customer's tier. There is also a free-for-use model for individuals. Smaller teams are charged a team rate, and larger enterprises can access Felt's in-house team and expertise. Despite Felt's close work with climate-adjacent sectors, an industry that's been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration's anti-ESG rhetoric, Hashemi found the fundraising process pretty smooth. The funding round, shared exclusively with BI, was led by climate and energy investment fund Energize Capital, with participation from Bain Capital Ventures and Footwork VC. Previously, the startup raised $15 million in Series A funding, plus a $4.5 million seed when it launched. "If you spent any time with maps, and thinking about how your physical information can be digitized, it's very complex," said Juan Muldoon, partner at Energize Capital. "They make this process much simpler. That's what drew us to them," He added that "in the energy transition, every provider, even if it's a utility, is leveraging geospatial data in their business," making it a viable tool for the industry. With the fresh funding, the Felt team plans to double down on its AI platform and expand its team.
Bloomberg
03-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Climate Investor Energize Raises $430 Million for New VC Fund
The climate tech investment firm Energize Capital has raised $430 million for a new fund targeting early-stage startups working on projects like new batteries and software for the electric grid. The funding will bring the Chicago-based firm's total assets under management to more than $1.8 billion, Energize announced Tuesday. While much of the venture capital and startup world has recently struggled with funding shortfalls, there's been intense interest in how to build out enough energy — ideally, sustainable energy — to power a new wave of artificial intelligence technology.
Bloomberg
03-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Investing in the Energy Future
Bloomberg Technology TV Shows The energy transition will reward specialized investors, says John Tough, managing partner at Energize Capital. Tough discusses the firm's latest $430 million fundraising round with Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow on 'Bloomberg Technology.' (Source: Bloomberg)
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Energize Capital raises $430 million to capitalize and scale digitally-enabled climate solutions
Backed by leading institutional Limited Partners, Ventures Fund III underscores the need for thematically aligned investors in today's market CHICAGO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ -- Energize Capital, a leading multi-stage investor in climate solutions, today announced the close of its Ventures Fund III ("Ventures III") totaling $430 million in capital commitments to the fund and its related vehicles. The firm's fifth institutional fund and third of its Ventures strategy, Ventures III will deploy into earlier-stage companies focused on scaling energy and industrial transformation through digital and software-enabled solutions. This latest raise brings Energize's total assets under management to over $1.8 billion and will empower the specialist firm to continue leveraging its team's decades of expertise in climate technology to support entrepreneurs through both financial capital and extensive operational and commercialization support. Today's economy is undergoing a profound transformation, placing new demands on capital partners to navigate emerging complexity and create value. Technologies like AI are redefining industrial processes, driving innovation, efficiency, and scalability. At the same time, the reshoring of manufacturing, evolving global supply chains, and the accelerating energy transition are reshaping critical infrastructure. These shifts are creating significant opportunities in areas such as grid interconnection, next-generation manufacturing, and the circular economy—all of which increasingly rely on digital tools to manage complexity and unlock value. With a thesis grounded in digital-first climate solutions and a track record of scaling companies in these evolving sectors, Energize is well-positioned to be a critical partner in this next chapter. "Now on our third ventures fund, the Energize team has been investing in climate technologies and solutions across several cycles, and we've experienced firsthand how this space has evolved in both market size and complexity," said John Tough, managing partner at Energize Capital. "Today more than ever, operators need specialist investors with deep domain expertise and operational know-how to help them scale their solutions and achieve enduring growth. We are excited to back the next generation of entrepreneurs and are honored to be supported by a group of world-class Limited Partners who align with our mission of investing in climate solutions with ambition." Energize's Ventures Fund III is backed by LPs that represent leading institutional, corporate strategic, family office and impact investors. New LPs in the fund include Första AP-Fonden (AP1), Capricorn, Reference Capital, Keeling Capital, Keysight Technologies, WEX Venture Capital, and several other international pensions. Among returning investors are GE Vernova, CDPQ, Builders Vision, UBS, WEC, and others. "As an investor committed to accelerating the energy transition, Builders Vision values Energize's deep industry insights and proven approach to scaling energy transition SaaS businesses," said Scott Gerdes, director of private investments at Builders Vision. "The close of Ventures Fund III is an opportunity for Energize to further enhance its in-depth research, valuable industry connections, and hands-on team, all of which are crucial for driving broader market adoption. By collaborating with forward-thinking companies and leveraging cutting-edge technology, Energize is fueling growth and contributing to the creation of a cleaner, more resilient energy ecosystem." 1 The fund will back asset-light climate solutions, with a particular focus on companies operating in the industrial digitization, next generation infrastructure and energy transition sectors. To date, Energize has deployed capital from Ventures III into several investments, including Tyba, a battery software optimization platform; Archive, a technology solution for brands to launch and scale profitable resale businesses; and Nira, a software platform that supports grid interconnection for energy developers. About Energize Capital Energize Capital is a leading investor in climate solutions. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, Energize seeks to scale sustainable innovation by partnering with the builders and operators shaping the future. To date, Energize has funded 36 companies and deployed more than $920 million through its Venture and Endurance strategies. Founded in partnership with Invenergy, the firm is backed by strategic, institutional, and impact LPs including Första AP-Fonden (AP1), GE Vernova, Capricorn, CDPQ, Builders Vision, UBS, WEC, Reference Capital, Keeling Capital, Keysight Technologies, WEX Venture Capital, and more. For more information on Energize, please visit
