LG Technology Ventures

We’re excited to share a milestone from one of our portfolio companies, Element Energy! Element Energy has launched the world’s largest grid storage project utilizing second-life electric vehicle batteries—a 53-megawatt-hour installation at a Nextera Energy wind farm in Texas. Their proprietary technology optimizes individual battery cells to enhance safety, extend battery life, and offer a cost-effective alternative to new batteries for renewable energy storage. With strong strategic partnerships and recent investments, including a collaboration with LG Energy Solution Vertech, Element is poised to accelerate energy storage adoption and contribute to building a more resilient, renewable-powered grid. #LGTechnologyVentures #Portfolio #ElementEnergy

We're thrilled to announce our investment in Cresta's $125M Series D funding round! ?? Cresta is redefining the contact center industry with innovative, human-centric AI solutions that empower teams to deliver outstanding customer experiences. This milestone funding round represents a significant leap forward in advancing AI that enhances, rather than replaces, human interactions. We’re proud to support Cresta’s mission and look forward to witnessing the remarkable impact they’ll continue to make in transforming customer engagement and driving operational excellence. ?? Congratulations to Ping Wu and the entire Cresta team on this well-earned achievement! To learn more: https://lnkd.in/eshr-MSg #LGTechnologyVentures #Portfolio #Cresta #AI

We’re thrilled to announce that South 8 Technologies, one of our portfolio companies, has been recognized by TIME Magazine as one of 2024’s 200 world-changing innovations for its breakthrough LiGas technology, enhancing the performance, safety, and cost-efficiency of lithium-ion batteries. LiGas addresses key safety and performance concerns of traditional lithium-ion batteries, reducing fire risks and supporting a more sustainable energy future. #LGTechnologyVentures #Portfolio #South8Technologies

We’re thrilled to announce that Brelyon, one of our portfolio companies, has been selected as one of TIME Magazine’s 200 Best Inventions of 2024! Brelyon’s Ultra Reality desktop monitor delivers an immersive, 122-inch, 4K display with a 110-degree field of view, achieving an “IMAX-like” experience without VR goggles, and has seen over $2 million in sales, primarily in the defense and automotive industries. #LGTechnologyVentures #Portfolio #Brelyon

Sharing an exciting update from one of our portfolio companies, MakinaRocks! Hankook & MakinaRocks to Develop AI-Driven Tire Design Hankook & Company, the parent firm of Hankook Tire & Technology, has partnered with Korea-based AI startup MakinaRocks to develop advanced AI technology for tire design. This collaboration focuses on creating an AI model that automatically generates tire tread patterns, optimizing both performance and aesthetics. Hankook is also building a standardized pattern database to support R&D, design, and marketing efforts, further advancing product development through AI innovation. #LGTechnologyVentures #Portfolio #MakinaRocks

GM partners with startup Forge Nano to improve EV battery life, performance, and safety General Motors (GM) has invested $10 million in Forge Nano, a materials science startup, to enhance electric vehicle (EV) battery performance and lifespan through a technology called Atomic Armor. This ultra-thin coating improves battery safety, extends the life of cathode-active materials, and could lead to faster charging, increased energy density, and longer-lasting batteries. The partnership aligns with GM's evolving multi-supplier battery strategy, as it aims to improve its EV offerings amid slower-than-expected sales growth. #LGTechnologyVentures #Portfolio #ForgeNano

SES AI Collaborates with NVIDIA, Crusoe, and Supermicro on AI for Science Initiative to Accelerate Material Discovery in Electric Transportation SES AI Corporation has launched an initiative to accelerate the discovery of new materials for electric transportation through advanced AI-driven research. By leveraging a supercomputer and AI cloud platform powered by NVIDIA and Supermicro, SES AI aims to map the molecular universe of small molecules, enhancing lithium-metal battery chemistry and advancing energy-efficient technology. This project aligns cutting-edge AI with sustainable computing, enabling faster innovation in battery technology for electric vehicles and other applications. #LGTechnologyVentures #Portfolio #SESAI

Who needs GPT-4o Advanced Voice Mode? Hume’s EVI 2 is here with emotionally inflected voice AI and API. Hume, an AI startup founded by former Google DeepMinder Alan Cowen, recently launched its updated voice AI model, Empathic Voice Interface 2 (EVI 2), designed to enhance naturalness, emotional responsiveness, and customizability for businesses and developers. EVI 2, which offers 40% lower latency and 30% reduced costs, allows seamless integration within applications, enabling a more personalized user experience without directing users to external support systems. This launch positions Hume ahead of competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic in delivering an advanced, emotionally-inflected voice AI assistant for businesses. #LGTechnologyVentures #Portfolio #Hume

ZK Rollups: A Foundational Technology, Not Just a Passing Trend, According to QuickNode's VP ZK Rollups, a technology that improves transaction throughput and data confidentiality, is establishing itself as a foundational technology for enhancing blockchain performance and user experience. Neuroth emphasized that ZK Rollups will play a critical role in addressing Bitcoin's scalability and privacy issues, enabling Bitcoin to compete with other blockchain networks. He also mentioned the need for developer-friendly solutions to bridge the gap between DeFi and traditional finance (TradFi), noting that QuickNode's Rollup as a Service (RaaS) platform provides developers with the tools necessary to tackle these technical challenges. QuickNode's RaaS platform focuses on simplifying the deployment and scaling of blockchain rollups, offering essential tools and infrastructure that developers need. This platform ensures high performance and reliability for large-scale applications, supporting both enterprise clients and smaller development teams in swiftly deploying and managing blockchain solutions. As a result, developers can shift their focus from complex infrastructure management to innovation, thereby accelerating the growth of the blockchain ecosystem. #LGTechnologyVentures #QuickNode #Portfolio

LSU Becomes the First University Sports Program to Use Eko AI-Based Stethoscopes LSU's athletic department has become the first university sports program to use Eko Health’s AI-based digital stethoscopes, thanks to an innovative collaboration with Eko Health and Our Lady of the Lake Health. Through this partnership, LSU's athletic department can use the FDA-approved CORE 500 digital stethoscope and AI algorithms to detect heart diseases in student-athletes early. Eko Health's technology helps healthcare providers at Our Lady of the Lake Health perform more precise heart examinations during routine check-ups for LSU student-athletes. This AI-based stethoscope will play a significant role in the early identification of heart issues such as atrial fibrillation and heart murmurs, contributing to the overall health and performance of student-athletes. LSU’s athletic department aims to ensure the safety of its student-athletes and help them perform at their best by utilizing the latest technology. #LGTechnologyVentures #EkoHealth #Portfolio