Blackhorn Ventures

?? PORTFOLIO COMPANY FUNDING NEWS ?? Blackhorn Ventures’ portfolio company, Amperon, led by CEO and Co-Founder Sean Kelly, has secured an investment from National Grid Partners, marking the first commitment from their new $100 million AI investment initiative. Why it matters: Amperon's cutting-edge AI-driven energy forecasting and analytics are pivotal in enhancing grid reliability, managing financial risks, and optimizing renewable energy integration. This investment underscores the critical role of advanced technologies in navigating the complexities of modern energy markets. What's next: With this support, Amperon plans to accelerate its expansion across North America and Europe, further solidifying its position as a leader in AI-powered energy solutions. Their commitment to innovation aligns seamlessly with the global push towards a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure. Congratulations to the Amperon team on this milestone! ?? #EnergyInnovation #AI #GridReliability #RenewableEnergy #BlackhornVentures

At Blackhorn Ventures, we invest in companies transforming industrial sectors for a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable future. Measuring and communicating impact is a key part of that mission—both for our LPs and for the companies we back. As we continue scaling our approach to impact measurement, we wanted a solution that not only simplifies reporting but also helps us track real-world outcomes in a way that aligns with our investment strategy. With Kara's AI-powered platform, we’ve been able to: ? Streamline data collection & impact reporting, freeing up time for our team and founders. ? Strengthen our portfolio support, helping companies measure and communicate their sustainability progress. ? Deliver meaningful insights to our LPs, reinforcing our commitment to investing in companies that create tangible, measurable impact. Partnering with Kara has helped us turn impact tracking into a strategic advantage, deepening our ability to scale industrial innovation for a better future. Huge thanks to Jack Broadbent, Miriam Roure, and the Kara team for their collaboration! ?? Read more about our journey here: https://lnkd.in/eNWbgZAU

Colorado’s first Climate Week is here, and we’re wrapping up Day 2 with a special networking event! Connect with fellow climate leaders over drinks and appetizers as we continue the conversations that are shaping the future of sustainability. ?? Date: Tuesday, March 25th? ?? Location: INDUSTRY RiNo Station ? Time: 5-8pm Proudly co-hosted by Colorado Cleantech, Mile High Climate Club, and Zero Homes, with support from Blackhorn Ventures, Cooley LLP , Silicon Valley Bank, and JLL. Let’s celebrate the momentum of Colorado’s climate community! Register here: https://lu.ma/3ct2rohs #ColoradoClimateWeek #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CleanTech #Networking

MONTHLY JOBS SPOTLIGHT: Blackhorn Ventures portfolio company Buzz Solutions safeguards the world’s energy infrastructure by enhancing the safety and efficiency of the electric grid through innovative data analytics and machine learning. Their mission focuses on empowering utility companies to monitor and manage infrastructure better, ultimately leading to improved reliability and reduced outages. Buzz is hiring for several open roles: --Senior Computer Vision & Machine Learning Engineer --Machine Learning Operations Engineer --Customer Support Specialist For a full description, and to check out other companies that are hiring across Blackhorn Ventures' portfolio, check out our careers board here: https://lnkd.in/gnHsz5aA Join the Blackhorn Ventures Talent Network today: create a profile, describe your ideal job, and if there's a mutual fit, we'll make a warm intro for you!?Link here: https://lnkd.in/gYHBTXNv #hiring #jobs #vc

We're happy to welcome former Colorado Governor and Blackhorn Ventures Operating Partner Bill Ritter as the keynote speaker for Venture West 2025! Learn more and register today: https://lnkd.in/gfEpceDF As always, a big thanks to our sponsors ConstructivIQ, Xpanner., UFP Ventures, Siiv, PROJEXION, Krane, and CONCERT for their generosity and support!

?? Lithium-ion battery prices hit a record low?? For the first time since 2017, lithium prices dropped by 20% year-over-year, reaching just $115 per kWh. What does this mean for the future of energy storage? Check out the latest survey from BloombergNEF below. #CleanEnergy #BatteryTech #EVs #Sustainability #Innovation #EnergyTransition

Melissa Cheong, Managing Partner at Blackhorn Ventures, recently?attended the BloombergNEF Summit. She joined Jim Adler (Toyota Ventures), Nick Albanese (The Westly Group), Emily Kirsch (Powerhouse Ventures), and Mark Daly (BloombergNEF) at the event to explored how AI and automation can transform the battery storage and mobility markets. During the panel, Melissa discussed opportunities emerging from labor shortages, the need for grid optimization, and the increasing demand for energy capacity. Despite today’s headlines, we all agreed: the real potential in this space is massive, and this is a long game we’re committed to playing together. #BNEF #Bloomberg #EnergyStorage #AI

??? The Reliability Myth: Why Your EV Network Is Only as Good as Your Worst Charger ??? Join Electric Era, a Blackhorn portfolio company, for a free webinar exploring the direct connection between EV charging reliability and business success. ?? Date: Tomorrow, February 11th ?? Register here:?https://lnkd.in/e__eFMu5 Don’t miss out on expert insights into how charging reliability impacts revenue, customer trust, and scalability. #EVCharging #SustainableTech #FutureOfMobility

Congrats to Specifx Data, a Blackhorn portfolio company, on their acquisition by XOi !

Meet Jack Fuchs, Blackhorn Operating Partner, and Director of Principled Entrepreneurship and Adjunct at Stanford University. For more than two decades Jack has worked closely with founders; he believes deeply in the importance of establishing clear principles and values. These foundational elements not only guide a company through challenging moments but also help align with investors who share similar ideals. On #TheUnstoppables podcast with Hurratul Maleka Taj, Jack opens up about a deeply personal experience—his son’s journey through bullying and the profound impact it has had on his family. Jack reflects on the lessons he's learned about resilience, empathy, and the importance of living with one's values and principles, even in the toughest moments. His willingness to share such a personal story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from authenticity and the value of building communities rooted in compassion and understanding. Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dzSWthdk Original post by Hurratul Maleka Taj: https://lnkd.in/dQQ5csyU #Mentalhealthawareness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship