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- Industrial Vanguard Newsletter Vol. 6
Industrial Vanguard Newsletter Vol. 6
The official newsletter of the Fountainhead Fund
Industrial Vanguard Newsletter Vol. 6
Week of February 2, 2025
Introduction
This week’s developments underscore a shifting landscape in industrial technology, with major moves in materials, energy, manufacturing, and logistics. The materials sector saw major investments in lithium refining and alternative proteins, while Dow announced a significant restructuring. The energy industry is balancing between new strategic investments and policy shifts that could slow EV adoption. In manufacturing, AI and robotics continue to gain traction, with Figure’s pivot away from OpenAI and Boston Dynamics advancing humanoid capabilities. Meanwhile, supply chains brace for further tariff impacts, and new recycling initiatives reinforce sustainability trends.
Materials
Dow Plans 1,500 Layoffs in $1B Cost-Cutting Initiative: Dow is restructuring to streamline operations and improve margins, signaling pressure on traditional materials industries. Link
Liberation Labs Raises $50.5M Convertible Note: The biotech manufacturing startup secures funding to advance alternative protein production. Link
Mangrove Lithium Secures $35M for North America’s First Electrochemical Lithium Refining Facility: Strategic financing highlights growing demand for domestic lithium processing. Link
Energy
WeaveGrid Secures Strategic Investment from Hyundai and Kia: Strengthening EV charging infrastructure. Link
Trump Administration Revises EV Policies: While rhetoric is shifting, actual policy changes remain limited. Link
California Cities Launch Nation’s First Public Hydrogen Utility: A milestone for hydrogen infrastructure development. Link
CNX Proposes $1.5B Hydrogen Fuels Plant: Federal tax incentives will be critical for execution. Link
Senate Confirms Chris Wright as Energy Secretary: Signaling a push for ‘American Energy Dominance’. Link
X-energy Closes $700M Series C-1 for Advanced Nuclear Tech: Small modular reactors gain investor traction. Link
IONATE Secures $17M to Modernize Power Grids: Next-gen grid tech advances. Link
Manufacturing
Automakers Brace for Tariff Uncertainty: Trade policies remain a key risk factor. Link
CHIPS Act Receives Mild Support from Commerce Secretary Nominee: Semiconductor funding may see less aggressive expansion. Link
Baltimore Manufacturer Sees Tariffs as a Boon: Protectionism sparks mixed reactions across industries. Link
Boston Dynamics, Robotics & AI Institute Advance Humanoid Tech: Reinforcement learning could improve real-world applications. Link
Figure Drops OpenAI in Favor of In-House AI Models: Strategic shift raises questions on AI dependency. Link
Recycling
Other Notable Developments
Texas Stock Exchange Seeks SEC Approval for 2026 Launch: A challenge to existing financial infrastructure. Link
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Proposal Gains Attention: Uncertain implications for industrial investment. Link
Honeywell Splitting into Three Companies: Corporate restructuring trend continues. Link
Hitachi Ventures Raises $400M for Fusion, AI, and Industrial Tech: Further capital flowing into deep tech sectors. Link
House Republicans Move Closer to Budget Deal: Potential policy shifts could impact industrial investment. Link
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.