Portfolio company ClearFlame named as one the Next Big Things in Tech

November 17, 2022
, , News

Thanks to its enormous installed base and prolonged driving distances, heavy trucking lags passenger cars in moving to zero-emissions operations. Geneva, Ill.-based ClearFlame Engine Technologies, however, is readying an alternative off-ramp from diesel fuel: a series of engine modifications that allow current-model trucks to run on ethanol sourced from corn at no loss in performance. Based upon that, ClearFlame has been named to Fast Company’s annual list of the Next Big Things in Tech.

Fast Company describes the chosen members of this list as “tech breakthroughs across industries that promise to transform the future.”  These technology breakthroughs were highlighted by Fast Company for their cutting-edge advancements and potential to impact consumers, businesses, and society overall. Clear Flame is recognized in the transportation category by this leading publication dedicated to the intersection of business, innovation, and design.

A follow-on investment in Curb/Elevation Home Energy Solutions

June 3, 2021
, , News, Recent Investment

The SWAN Impact Network is pleased to announce a follow-on investment that furthers the market penetration of the energy-saving technology developed by portfolio company, Curb Energy. That technology enables home owners to reduced electricity consumption by up to 20%.

In 2017, our network made its initial investment in Curb Energy.  Recognizing Curb’s strong revenue growth and high growth potential, our network made a further investment in 2020. Later in 2020, Curb merged with Elevation Home Energy Solutions, a well-established, Arizona-based home solutions provider.

The network has now made an investment in Elevation, and collected significant investment commitments from our angels just four days after sharing the opportunity with them.

A follow-on investment in ClearFlame Engine Technologies

April 19, 2021
, , News, Recent Investment

The SWAN Impact Network made a seed investment in ClearFlame Engine Technologies early in 2020, and is pleased to now announce a follow-on investment one year later.

ClearFlame is taking the diesel fuel out of the diesel engine for heavy-duty industries. Their disruptive, patented engine technology maintains all the rugged performance and practicality of traditional diesel engines that end users expect while completely replacing petroleum-based diesel fuel with decarbonized liquid fuels—nearly eliminating all criteria pollutants and emissions.

ClearFlame offers a rapid pathway to widespread emissions reduction for heavy-duty industries by leveraging existing production capacity and infrastructures. Moreover, our technology lowers costs—for both OEMs and end users—by eliminating the need for complex aftertreatment technologies.

The heavy-duty engine industry is approaching a time when the continued pressure to reduce CO2 and diesel criteria pollutants (NOx and particulates) is leading to the elimination of diesel-fueled engines. It’s why heavy-duty engine manufacturers, fleet owners, end users, and regulators are aggressively seeking viable alternative technologies. ClearFlame is the future of diesel engine technology.

SWAN has invested in Advanced Ionics

April 15, 2021
, , News, Recent Investment

The SWAN Impact Network is pleased to announce an investment in Advanced Ionics. Advanced Ionics   is providing Clean Hydrogen for Heavy Industry, designing a new generation of electrolyzers specifically for industrial users, such as ammonia/fertilizer production, hydrogenation, metal fabrication, glass, methanol, synthetic fuels/chemicals, and power plants, among others. They replace existing  hydrogen manufacturing with a more affordable, cleaner alternative.