Industrial Vanguard Newsletter Vol. 11

Week of March 10, 2025

March 14, 2025

Introduction

Industrial innovation and economic forces continue to shape markets across materials, energy, manufacturing, supply chains, and emerging technologies. This week saw significant investments in specialty chemicals, advanced energy storage, and industrial AI. Meanwhile, policy shifts and geopolitical tensions are disrupting critical material supplies and trade flows. The energy sector is witnessing a resurgence in nuclear commitments and natural gas, while robotics and AI-driven automation continue to reshape manufacturing. Below is a detailed breakdown of the latest developments across key sectors.

Materials

  • ReSource secured $15M to advance bioplastic production, reflecting increased interest in sustainable materials. Read more

  • Scimplify raised $40M to improve access to specialty chemicals for manufacturers. Read more

  • Tariffs threaten Canadian aluminum critical to U.S. energy transition. Read more

  • Trump halts plan for 50% steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada. Read more

  • Cobalt prices spike as Congo's export halt rattles supply chains. Read more

Energy

  • Founder of Our Next Energy returns as CEO following new funding. Read more

  • Glimpse closes $10M Series A financing. Read more

  • dcbel raises $55M to accelerate bidirectional EV charging technology. Read more

  • DG Matrix raises $20M in funding. Read more

  • AI is driving energy pragmatism amid rising data center demand. Read more

  • Major companies pledge support to triple nuclear energy. Read more

  • Natural gas is making a comeback. Read more

  • Fervo moves toward IPO despite U.S. climate policy shifts. Read more

  • Northvolt files for bankruptcy, signaling challenges for battery startups. Read more

  • Power plant giant leverages robotics to tackle maintenance crisis. Read more

Manufacturing

  • Infinite Uptime raised $35M to advance industrial analytics for manufacturing. Read more

  • GE Aerospace to invest nearly $1B in U.S. manufacturing in 2025. Read more

  • EPA launches the biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history, reshaping industrial regulations. Read more

  • U.S. clothing production unlikely to see a major shift despite reshoring trends. Read more

  • Google DeepMind introduces two Gemini-based AI models to expand AI applications in manufacturing. Read more

  • ABB invests $120M to expand U.S. production capacity. Read more

  • Dexterity, an AI robotics firm, raises major funding. Read more

  • Toyota-backed CaPow secures $15M Series A to power robots in motion. Read more

Supply Chain & Logistics

  • Logistics startups are back in demand as companies navigate tariff uncertainty. Read more

  • Walmart faces pressure from China over its response to Trump’s tariffs. Read more

  • Trump’s proposed Ukraine peace deal could reshape automotive logistics across Russia, Europe, and China. Read more

  • Lowe’s EVP of Supply Chain shares five key insights on logistics strategy. Read more

  • Carpool Logistics raises $12M Series A to optimize vehicle transport logistics. Read more

Productization

  • Mistral AI bets on open-source development to overtake DeepSeek. Read more

  • Ceramic.ai launches to accelerate AI model training for enterprises. Read more

  • Investors eye DeepSeek, but its founder resists funding offers. Read more

  • Foxconn unveils FoxBrain, its proprietary AI model. Read more

  • OpenAI introduces tools for businesses to build their own AI agents. Read more

  • Motional shifts to machine learning for autonomous vehicle tech. Read more

Recycling

  • Toyota Tsusho America to acquire Radius Recycling in a $1.34 billion deal, expanding its presence in metal recovery. Read more

 Other

  • Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model predicts a U.S. economic contraction in Q1. Read more

  • Shield AI, a Silicon Valley drone defense startup, lands a $5.3 billion valuation. Read more

  • China launches a $138 billion government-backed venture fund, including quantum startups. Read more

  • A new VC firm, secretly backed by Volkswagen, enters the market. Read more

  • Aligned Climate Capital raises $85 million for clean-energy investments. Read more

  • The New Joule Order: Full report (No link provided—please clarify if you want a summary or an external source linked.)

  • Intel names Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO, marking a leadership shift. Read more

  • Retailers warn that consumers are running out of discretionary spending. Read more

 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.

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.