Blackhorn Ventures

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

Thanks to Edison International and Southern California Edison (SCE) for including me and Blackhorn Ventures in a small-group conversation between utilities, startups, corporates, and investors ahead of Cleantech Forum North America in San Diego this week. The recent devastation from the LA wildfires underscores the urgent need for grid modernization solutions as SCE and utilities everywhere invest in resilience. Balancing affordability, reliability, and decarbonization at a time of load growth and workforce turnover is no small feat. California’s AB 1279 law mandating carbon neutrality by 2045 requires new transmission and distribution projects to be added at 4X and 10X historical rates (respectively) - a staggering rate considering the lack of permitting reform. Utilities recognize that incremental improvements to build traditional infrastructure better and faster won’t get us there - we need to completely reimagine systems planning, and fundamentally evolve the distribution grid. How? By standardizing procurement and speeding utility innovation cycles from years to months. Accomplishing systems change requires close partnerships with startups and cross-industry collaboration.  Whether it’s AI-driven grid management (like ThinkLabs AI, Inc.) superconducting power lines (like VEIR) or visual infrastructure analytics (like Buzz Solutions) utilities are on the hunt for durable and scalable solutions that address their most pressing challenges today. We're excited to work with utilities like SCE, Con Edison, Southern Company, TVA and others to build the energy system we deserve.

In light of an unprecedented demand for critical materials, the race is on to secure a sustainable and resilient supply chain here in the US. Will we meet the challenge? 🌍 Steady global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is driving a surge in the need for critical materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. 🔋 A sustainable supply chain is essential, with recycling playing a key role in meeting future material needs. 🌱 Innovations in battery chemistry and new domestic deposits of lithium are helping reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. 🌐 Diversifying sourcing strategies and data-driven exploration will be crucial to securing supply for the energy transition. Check out the below article for further details: https://lnkd.in/g7ExbJHz #ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #CriticalMaterials #SupplyChain #Innovation #GreenEnergy

⚡ Data centers are powering the future—but at what cost? As highlighted by Bloomberg, states are proposing energy guardrails to manage the growing electricity and water consumption of data centers as demand soars. Does China's DeepSeek model offer a different path forward? Regardless of which model wins, expect to see more state measures to balance the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure with sustainability goals, ensuring that model innovation doesn’t come at the expense of finite resources. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/ek4jPDU2 #DataCenters #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #TechInnovation