Driving Sustainability in the Oil and Gas Industry
AKOS’ advanced, proprietary well intervention and drilling services deliver significantly improved (1.4Mmt of CO2 reduction as of direct result of AKOS' Cybercoil services in 2028 and enable 90Mmt of CO2 reduction in 2028) sustainability, reduced environmental impact, and far superior economics to operating companies in the energy sector. AKOS employs a Technology-as-a-Service (Taas) model with specialized equipment, processes, and software which are protected by a portfolio of proprietary technologies and significant patents.
AKOS received $1.7 million in bridge financing and is currently assembling investors for an upcoming Series B capital raise. The largest part of the $1.7 million in bridge financing came from Trican -- a leading Canadian oil service company, with annual revenues of approximately 1 billion dollars. Trican further confirmed its confidence in AKOS by entering into a two-year, exclusivity agreement to deliver intervention services in the Canadian market.
For further information or to set up some time to speak with the AKOS team, please contact Mitchell Hauser.
Driving Sustainability in the Oil and Gas Industry
Even though oil & gas extraction has increased in recent years, GHG emissions have actually fallen according to a recent analysis highlighted in Canary Media; however, fully transitioning to renewable energy remains an elusive goal. Because we rely on crude oil for fuel, heating, and essentials like plastics and medicines, it is imperative for companies to devise transparent and proactive sustainability strategies, including:
Optimizing Operations. Efficient operations reduce waste and enhance sustainability. Utilizing advanced analytics and technologies like 3D imaging helps identify bottlenecks, minimize waste, and improve safety.
Expanding Used Oil Recycling. Many oil and gas companies are adopting small-scale waste-oil systems to refine used oil into diesel fuel. This not only provides fuel for operations but also offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional disposal methods.
Mitigating Methane Emissions. Addressing equipment issues, using better components, and committing to Net Zero Emissions by 2050 can significantly reduce methane leaks, which are a major contributor to global warming.
Embracing Renewable Energy. Companies are diversifying into renewable energy sources to lower emissions. Exxon Mobil aims to produce 10,000 barrels of biofuel per day by 2025, while BP is making substantial investments in clean energy.
Enhancing Freshwater Management. Water plays a crucial role in oil production, especially in fracking. While hundreds of millions of barrels of freshwater are used daily, companies are striving to recycle up to 95% of it and explore alternatives to reduce usage and increase non-potable water use.
AKOS Energy is making a significant contribution to these efforts. AKOS developed the first independent advanced technology platform for Well Intervention Services that dramatically increases well intervention efficiency and sustainability while significantly reducing environmental impact.
For further reading:
Environmental Sustainability in the Oil and Gas Industry
How the Oil and Gas Industry Is Contributing to Sustainability
Nanocrine is a life sciences technology company applying nanotechnology to biosensing. With technology licensed from the US Naval Research Laboratory, Nanocrine's Plasmonic Chip allows scientists to see and measure, in real time, exactly how cells communicate by releasing and absorbing proteins in the “dark space” between them.
Recent updates include:
A partnership with NCI for co-development of technology to interrogate the tumor microenvironment in a way not previously possible
Submission of a National Science Foundation grant aimed at producing cardiac tissue in a dish that better reflects human biology
Commencement of manufacturing of flagship technology designed for real-time detection of signaling molecules (initial target = exosomes)
Please contact Mitchell Hauser for more information or to arrange a meeting with Patrick Calhoun, Nanocrine's CEO.
The car wash market in China (the world’s largest) is just beginning to take off. Splash continues to ride this enormous wave and they’ve had continued solid growth in the Q1 of 2024:
Number of regular customers reached a new high of over 14,000 in March, with a retention rate of 82%
Recorded the highest-ever monthly ADV (Average Daily Volume) of 31 washes per site, with the highest-ever daily ADV of 54 washes per site during March
Splash is negotiating the license of its patented water reclamation technology (which recycles over 85% of water used)
For further information or to set up time to speak with Splash's CEO,Rob Shesol, please contact Tony Coretto.
YouSolar is a renewable energy company that aims to address the problem of unreliable power supply and high energy costs. They offer innovative solar energy solutions that combine solar panels, battery storage, and an intelligent energy management system into a solar micro-grid by harnessing solar power and efficiently storing excess energy.
YouSolar has sold PowerBlocs to two more spectacular homes along California's Highway 1 and in the Santa Lucia Preserve near Monterey
Roger Pang joined YouSolar as Sales Director; Roger is a highly experienced professional selling over 250 battery systems since 2022
YouSolar’s success on the StartEngine crowdfunding platform continues and they are now one of the 15 most-funded companies on the platform
For further information onYouSolaror to arrange a call with the CEO, Arnold Leitner, please contact Mitchell Hauser.
Jason Hanft, Defender's Founder and CEO, spoke at the Spring 2024 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) from May 14th to May 18th in Orlando, Florida.
Please contact Tony Coretto for more information or to arrange a meeting with Jason Hanft, Defender’s CEO.
Strategic Ventures welcomes Robert Parker as a new Venture Partner.
Rob brings nearly two decades of expertise in ClimateTech, Renewable Energy, and Sustainability, having held roles across investment banking, entrepreneurship, executive leadership, consulting, policy advising, project development, and investing. With a career spanning over 25 years, he has successfully guided a diverse range of entities—including public and private companies, non-profits, and government agencies—through partnership development, capital market navigation, operational structuring for sustainable growth, and product launch initiatives. His comprehensive skill set makes him a valuable addition to Strategic Ventures, where he can apply his insights to identify and foster ventures that align with the firm's strategic objectives in these vital sectors.
SV Managing Partner, Mitchell Hauser, is a mentor at 43North, a sector-agnostic accelerator program that recruits founders to build in Buffalo, NY.Applications are open for 43North’s Year 10 cohort. This year, they’ll make five $1 million investments, each for 5% equity. They look for startups that meet the following criteria:
Post-revenue or compelling non-revenue traction (e.g., usage)
External capital raised (pre-seed or seed round)
Full-time founding team with 3 or more FTEs
A connection to Buffalo (customers, suppliers, talent, etc.) and/or an interest in building in an emerging tech hub
Applications will close on June 7 at 3:00 PM ET. Any founders who are interested can learn more and apply here or reach out to CJ Karrer (cj@43north.org).