Disruptive Tech in Ukraine War, Fundings: Blue Origin, Cyble, Carbon Upcycling
2 August 2023 - A Weekly Publication by New North Ventures
At New North Ventures, our diverse initiatives and projects reflect our commitment to excellence and innovation in the worlds of national defense and dual-use investment. We are committed to unveiling new and improved content as well as exciting events for startups, defense professionals, and more.
Now we’d like to hear from you. In the coming weeks, we will be dropping some podcasts that feature technology in the Ukraine war. If you have speakers who you think would be great to host on this critical issue, please let us know at jeremy@newnorthventures.com
Additionally, we want to highlight the upcoming 2023 Fed Supernova. This incredible event brings together investors, entrepreneurs, government officials, and industry leaders to collaborate on dual-use solutions that put commercial technology in the hands of the DoD. To learn more about it, click here. We hope to see you there!
The First Room-Temperature Ambient-Pressure Superconductor
Researchers have successfully synthesized a room-temperature superconductor, named LK-99, which operates at temperatures above 400 K (127°C) and ambient pressure. This is the first time such a material has been created.
The superconductivity of LK-99 is attributed to a minute structural distortion caused by a slight volume shrinkage resulting from Cu2+ substitution of Pb2+ ions in the insulating network of Pb(2)-phosphate. This distortion creates superconducting quantum wells (SQWs) in the material's interface.
LK-99 exhibits all the key characteristics of superconductivity, including a critical temperature (Tc), zero resistivity, critical current (Ic), critical magnetic field (Hc), and the Meissner effect.
The unique structure of LK-99 allows the minute distorted structure to be maintained in the interfaces, making it possible for the material to maintain and exhibit superconductivity at room temperatures and ambient pressure.
For more detailed information and a comprehensive understanding of the groundbreaking research on the room-temperature superconductor LK-99, please click the link above.
U.S. and China Battle for Influence in Pacific Island Nations
The Biden administration is seeking to strengthen ties with Pacific island nations to counter China's growing influence in the region.
China has made significant inroads in the Pacific, signing defense and policing pacts with some nations, and gaining access for its fishing fleet.
The U.S. is opening embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga, but faces challenges in catching up to China's years-long head start.
The Pacific island nations are valuable strategically due to their UN votes, control of fisheries and seabed minerals, and their location in a region of importance in any conflict involving China.
The Importance of Timing Your Next Raise
Startup founders have the advantage of controlling when their company is priced during fundraising rounds, making timing crucial for securing funding and higher valuations.
Fundraising prices fluctuate with assumed risk, and early-stage investors invest in higher-risk companies at lower prices, while growth-stage investors invest in lower-risk companies at higher prices.
Founders can use the time between rounds to tackle six general categories of startup risk, including team risk, implementation risk, market risk, monetization risk, scale risk, and profitability risk, to grow the company's value.
Planning for the next raise immediately after closing the current round and managing runway effectively are essential to maintain control over fundraising and secure favorable terms and valuations from investors.
Quick Takes:
Founded: 2000
Key People: Co-CEO and President Bob Smith
Elevator Pitch: Space technologies designed to permit people to live and work in space to benefit Earth.
Funding: The company received $35 million of grant funding from NASA Holding on July 31, 2023.
Founded: 2019
Key People: Co-founded by Beenu Arora and Manish Chachada
Elevator Pitch: Cyber intelligence software intended to help with the dark web and cybercrime monitoring.
Funding: The company raised $24 million of Series B venture funding in a deal led by Blackbird Ventures and King River Capital on July 31, 2023. Spider Capital, January Capital, Summit Peak Investments, and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round.
Founded: 2014
Key People: CEO Apoorv Sinha
Elevator Pitch: A waste and carbon utilization company intended to convert carbon dioxide emissions into value-add end material.
Funding: The company raised $26.11 million of series A venture funding led by Climate Investment and the BDC Capital on July 28, 2023. Clean Energy Ventures Group, Amplify Capital, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, CRH Ventures, and Cemex Ventures also participated.
Look for a new episode of Securing the Future Podcasts wherever you listen. In our latest episode, we have guest John Serafini sit down with General Partner Jeremy Hitchcock for an engaging conversation where John discusses the dual-use space and outlines ways to optimize the industry for a more secure future.
