Best Practices in Raising Capital as an Energy Storage Startup

Sara Chamberlain, Managing Director • Energy Foundry

 

There are a variety of funding sources out there, but understanding how they fit together is critical. This talk will outline the strategies and considerations for raising capital as an early-stage energy storage startup, and how to put your best foot forward in conversations with investors.  Additionally, it will cover some key trends in where capital is flowing and what investors are excited about.  

​

Sara leads venture investment activity for Energy Foundry, an early-stage venture fund based in Chicago.  She was instrumental in founding the high-profile fund, and she is the backbone of driving forward the firm and its endeavors.  This includes leading investments in many of the fund’s portfolio companies, which have gone on to raise over $100 million in additional capital and contracts.  She sits on the Board of e-Zinc, Tank Utility, NanoGraf, Azumo and Polystyvert. Prior to Energy Foundry, Sara built a government advisory practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and helped energy startups raise $300M in non-dilutive funding.  She has also held roles with GE Energy and environmental consulting firm, GaiaTech.  Sara holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and an undergraduate degree from Emory University. She is on the Advisory Board for Chain Reaction Innovations, an incubator program at Argonne National Laboratory, and is a member of the Investment Committee for accelerator Clean Energy Trust.  In 2015, she was recognized by Midwest Energy News “40 Under 40.”

​

​

​

​

​

​