The termite’s blessing: ZeaChem finds more support

The termite’s blessing: ZeaChem finds more support

Poor termites. They’ll have no part in the ZeaChem facilities that may someday pump out millions of gallons of cellulosic ethanol, even though it’s the humble bug’s legacy that allowed it all to happen. Lakewood, Colo.-based ZeaChem has raised $34 million more for its process,… Continue Reading

Mining moves from earth to water with Simbol investment

Mining moves from earth to water with Simbol investment

Simbol Mining, a company that says it has a better way to collect the lithium used in today’s most advanced batteries, has taken a first round of funding.

The idea of mining usually conjures up images of sweating, grime-encrusted men and earth-moving machines. What Simbol is… Continue Reading

ZeaChem’s cellulosic ethanol process ready to leave the lab, enter pilot testing

ZeaChem’s cellulosic ethanol process ready to leave the lab, enter pilot testing

In less than a year, cellulosic ethanol startup ZeaChem has raced through preliminary pilot testing in a tiny Silicon Valley pilot plant, and now plans to build a larger facility in Oregon.

Experts consider cellulosic ethanol one of the most promising technologies for helping to reduce… Continue Reading

Plextronics gets $20.6M more for plastic solar cells, organic RFID tags

Plextronics, a Pittsburgh-based start-up developing organic photovoltaic technology for solar power, said it has raised $20.6 million in a second round of financing.

The round was led by the Solvay Group, a Brussels-based chemical-pharma group, and included Firelake Capital Management, Birchmere Ventures, Draper Triangle Ventures and… Continue Reading

Solexant raises $4.3M for new thin film solar cell

Solexant, a secretive solar cell developer in Sunnyvale, Calif, has raised $4.3 million in a first round of capital to develop a prototype of its technology.

The funding came to light in a regulatory filing, and chief executive Damoder Reddy tells VentureBeat he didn’t want to… Continue Reading

Alternative energy companies keep coming: Zeachem, Catilin, Range Fuels, Sopogy

Alternative energy companies keep coming: Zeachem, Catilin, Range Fuels, Sopogy

A host of new alternative energy companies have emerged and raised funding.

Here’s a roundup of the latest action, including news at Zeachem, a cellulosic ethanol company; Catilin, a biodiesel company, Range Fuels, another cellulosic company; Sopogy, a solar thermal company; and finally, a note… Continue Reading

Advent Solar, solar cell maker, to raise $70M in financing

Advent Solar, an Albuquerque, New Mexico solar cell maker is expected to announce a $70 million fourth round of financing, according to VentureWire (sub required).

We last wrote about the company a year and a half ago, when it raised $30 million in its third round…. Continue Reading