Aira Funding, Investors & Competitors

First Solar designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic panels, modules, and systems for use in utility-scale development projects. The company's solar modules use cadmium telluride to convert sunlight into electricity. This is commonly called thin-film technology. First Solar is the world’s largest thin-film solar module manufacturer. It has production lines in Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, and India.

SK on is a Seoul-headquartered battery maker producing prismatic and pouch lithium-ion cells for electric vehicles from its Gwangmyeong and Seosan plants. Spun off from SK Innovation in 2021, it supplies packs to Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5. The company advances 46-series cells with NCM cathodes and partners with Solid Power on solid-state tech. SK on targets 200 GWh capacity by 2025.

Nextpower (and its subsidiaries) is a leading provider of intelligent, integrated solar tracker and software solutions used in utility-scale and distributed generation solar projects around the world. Nextpower's products enable solar panels in utility-scale power plants to follow the sun’s movement across the sky and optimize plant performance. Nextpower has operations in the United States, Mexico, Spain and other countries in Europe, India, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, and Brazil.

Northvolt was a Swedish battery manufacturer founded in 2015 to build the world's greenest, sustainably sourced lithium-ion batteries. Powered entirely by renewable energy (wind and hydro), Northvolt aimed to produce batteries with the lowest carbon footprint globally. Backed by heavyweights like Volkswagen and Goldman Sachs, it aimed to supply European automakers. However, facing severe scaling challenges and massive debt, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2024–2025.

Kraken is a London-headquartered customer engagement platform for energy, water, and broadband providers across Europe and North America. Its technology stack includes billing, CRM, self-service portals, and smart metering analytics to streamline operations. Kraken serves utilities like Octopus Energy and OVO, enabling net-zero transitions through demand response and EV charging management. The platform processes millions of customer interactions monthly, supporting regulatory compliance in deregulated markets.

Tongwei is the world's largest polysilicon producer and a leading solar cell and module supplier. The solar business contributed more than 60% of revenue in 2024. In addition, Tongwei runs a feed and food business, which made up 35% of revenue in 2024.

Round-the-Clock is a renewable energy initiative that integrates various power sources for uninterrupted supply.

Redwood Materials is a Sparks-headquartered battery recycling company founded in 2017 that recovers over 95 percent of critical materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt from end-of-life electric vehicle batteries and manufacturing scrap. Operating a closed-loop facility in Nevada, it supplies refined metals to battery producers such as Panasonic and Ford while deploying second-life energy storage systems. The company processes thousands of tons monthly, reducing reliance on virgin mining.

Jinko Solar is the largest Chinese solar module manufacturer by global shipment in 2024. Jinko's products are distributed across nearly 200 countries and regions. The company operates a vertically integrated production process, spanning from solar wafer and cell manufacturing to module production. Jinko's N-type cell capacity is industry-leading in scale.

Indigo is a Boston-headquartered agricultural technology company enhancing crop sustainability and yields through microbial seed treatments. The firm develops products like carbon farming programs and grain contracts for farmers in the US Corn Belt and beyond. Indigo markets microbiome-based inoculants to reduce fertilizer use and improve soil health on millions of acres.

Jetti Resources is a Denver-headquartered mining technology company founded in 2014 that deploys catalytic hydrometallurgy to leach copper from chalcopyrite ores previously deemed uneconomic. Its process boosts recovery rates to 85% at sites like Kennecott and increases output by 30% without new infrastructure. Backed by $60 million from Newmont and Mitsubishi, Jetti treats 100 million tons annually across North and South America.

Pivot Bio is a Berkeley-headquartered ag-biotech company founded in 2010 that engineers microbes for crop nutrition. The firm develops nitrogen-fixing products using its proprietary ON Technology, which deploys naturally occurring microbes to supply nitrogen directly to corn roots. This approach reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers while boosting yields for farmers addressing global food demands.

Solugen is a biomanufacturing company producing specialty chemicals from plant sugars via precision fermentation. Houston-headquartered with a facility in Marshall, Texas, it supplies hydrogen peroxide precursors and surfactants to Procter & Gamble. The process replaces petrochemical routes with engineered enzymes and catalysts for carbon-negative output. Solugen addresses applications in personal care, cleaning products, and water treatment.

Plenty is a South San Francisco-headquartered vertical farming company producing pesticide-free leafy greens. Its indoor farms use 99 percent less land and 95 percent less water than traditional agriculture, supplying retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods across the United States and Japan.

Mountain View-headquartered Zume is a sustainable packaging company producing biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics for foodservice. The firm partners with distributors in over 25 countries, including Packme Ltd in the UK, Rausch Verpackung GmbH in Germany, and Ultra Pac in Chile. Zume's molded fiber products replace foam and plastic containers for global manufacturers.

Radiant is a Seattle-headquartered company that engineers the Kaleidos microreactor, a truck-transportable nuclear fission system generating one megawatt of continuous power for off-grid locations, military bases, and disaster response. Designed to eliminate diesel generator reliance, the reactor achieves full power in under 24 hours and operates for 40 years without refueling. Radiant partners with the U.S. Department of Defense through a $10 million contract and collaborates with the Tennessee Valley Authority on demonstrations. Founded in 2019, the firm advances advanced nuclear technology across North America.

Nexii is a Calgary-headquartered green construction technology company producing carbon-negative building panels for multi-story structures. Its Deterra panels enable up to 90% faster assembly than traditional methods while reducing embodied carbon by 85% through cement-free composition. Deployed in projects like the six-story Nexii Canada House in Edmonton, the technology supports residential, commercial, and hospitality developments in Canada, the United States, and Europe.