- Industrial Vanguard Newsletter
- Posts
- Industrial Vanguard Newsletter Vol. 1
Industrial Vanguard Newsletter Vol. 1
Your Pulse on Industrial Tech from the Fountainhead Fund
Industrial Vanguard Newsletter Vol. 1
Your Pulse on Industrial Tech
Week of: December 30, 2025
Introduction
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2025!
The new year brings exciting developments across the industrial value chain. From breakthroughs in materials and energy to advancements in manufacturing, supply chain, productization, and recycling, the industrial landscape is poised for transformative growth. Here's your curated roundup of the week's most impactful updates.
Materials
LPO and NOVONIX: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced a conditional commitment to support NOVONIX's synthetic graphite manufacturing expansion in Tennessee.
This aligns with NOVONIX’s binding offtake agreement with PowerCo SE, securing their position in the EV battery supply chain.
Phoenix Tailings Gains Backing: BMW and Yamaha Motor have invested in U.S.-based rare earth startup Phoenix Tailings, advancing sustainable sourcing of critical materials.
KoBold Metals Secures $537 Million in Funding: KoBold Metals, a startup backed by Bill Gates, raised $537 million in its latest funding round. The company leverages AI to discover and develop critical minerals essential for batteries and renewable energy systems, addressing the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions.
Energy
Eos Energy and FlexGen Collaboration: A strategic partnership aims to develop fully integrated, American-made stationary storage solutions for long-duration applications.
PG&E Secures $15 Billion Loan: Pacific Gas and Electric received record-breaking federal funding to modernize its grid infrastructure in the last days of the Biden administration.
Global Coal Demand Hits Record High in 2024: According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global coal demand is projected to reach an all-time high in 2024, driven by increased energy consumption in Asia and supply chain disruptions in alternative energy sources. Despite global efforts toward decarbonization, coal remains a significant component of the energy mix.
Manufacturing
Tariff Impacts on Affordable Cars: Proposed tariffs could disproportionately affect the pricing of economy vehicles, sparking debates in the automotive sector.
Mobile Robots Market Downgrade: Economic challenges continue to impact the adoption and growth of mobile robotics.
Supply Chain & Logistics
Autonomous Freight Operations: Volvo and DHL have launched autonomous freight operations in Texas, marking a major milestone in logistics automation.
Kinaxis Supply Chain Solution: Bel Group leverages Kinaxis’ innovative platform to streamline its global supply chain.
Generative AI in Logistics: DHL integrates generative AI to enhance data management, customer support, and proposal accuracy.
Productization
Generative AI Transforms Industry: Generative AI tools, like the "Industrial Copilot," are redefining design, production, and decision-making across industrial value chains.
Recycling
Innovative Packaging Startups: A wave of new startups is reshaping the packaging sector with sustainable solutions.
Samsara Eco Advances Plastics Recycling: This Australian startup, supported by Lululemon, leverages enzymes and AI to infinitely recycle nylon-6 used in fashion.
Stay tuned for more updates next week in Industrial Vanguard as we continue to bring you the latest trends, innovations, and insights shaping the industrial world. Happy 2025!
About the Fountainhead Fund
The Fountainhead Fund is a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in the most promising startups and technologies in the industrial sector. From cutting-edge advancements in materials to transformative energy solutions, we actively seek opportunities to fund and support the innovations that are shaping the future of industry.
www.fountainheadfund.com
By subscribing to Industrial Vanguard, you’ll gain unique insights into the sectors we track, the startups we champion, and the investment strategies driving success in the industrial tech landscape.