John Ciasulli

"Build the event you wish existed" That's what we at Monadical did last week at #NYTW. We wanted an AI Engineers discussion for Engineers. There's always a lot of events out there for VCs to network, or for startups to learn about G2M, but very little on lessons learned from actual engineers in the field. So that's the event we hosted. Big thank yous to our awesome panel, Roy Pereira, Ben Cohen and Corey J. Gallon. Here's the key takeaways and the AI tools we're using. 🚀 All three panelists independently called AI Agents the most transformative LLM application they’ve used. They specifically called out Claude 3.5 Sonnet for its accuracy and reliability. 🪨 We dug into how LLMs are “jagged”, not general. They can be shockingly good at some tasks and completely fail at others. Everyone agreed: good evaluations are critical (and hard.) 🧪 Corey noted how public benchmarks and reality are two different things. Most public evals are saturated or gamed. ♊ Ben emphasized that AI projects are actually two projects: building the tool and building the evaluation process. 🧱 We explored how falling dev costs may impact startup defensibility and labor demand. Roy shared that founders are already shifting strategies in response. ⚒️ In a world of daily AI launches, the panel discussed how they decide what’s worth attention, and what’s just noise. They called out tools like Goose, Aider, Claude Code, and Monadical’s own Cubbi, which helps run agentic workflows safely in dev environments. (links in the comments). CTA: What would you want to hear in an AI Applied Engineering talk you attended?

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Excited to finally share what we’ve been building over the past year. Today we’re announcing the first investment from ARKITEKT EQUITY. Over the past year, we have been closely observing the structural shifts occurring within semiconductor ecosystems. As manufacturing systems become more complex, the infrastructure enabling those systems becomes increasingly strategic. These environments demand operational clarity, coordination, and long-term alignment. ARKITEKT was built around a simple idea: durable value is created where frontier technology meets pragmatic execution. Our investment in BBTech reflects this conviction. This is just the beginning of what we aim to build at ARKITEKT EQUITY. Stay tuned! https://lnkd.in/g_pQiBZY

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🚨California Takes Action with Passage of 3 Bills to Scale CDR Innovation This weekend, California made unprecedented progress in creating compliance mechanisms to help grow Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) by providing pathways for all CDR approaches to gain market traction and grow responsibly in the state: ✅ CDR is included for the first time in the Cap & Invest program via AB1207, which creates a pathway for CDR to be permanently integrated as a compliance offset category ✅ The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund was reauthorized via SB804, and now includes a framework for CDR to be included in future allocations from the fund for climate tech innovation, including as part of an $85M climate tech innovation program ✅ The passage of SB643 creates a Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Program to purchase CDR credits from eligible suppliers With these actions, California has created the framework to responsibly scale CDR, creating both economic and environmental benefits for Californians. These benefits include addressing affordability by generating good paying jobs and lowering CDR technology costs, as well as deploying technologies that tackle critical challenges such as wildfire fuel load reduction (such as the pictured Charm pilot in the Inyo National Forest) and orphaned wells. In addition, this program is technology-inclusive - enabling the state to deploy a wide range of technologies that support meeting CA’s climate goals by tackling legacy and residual emissions. Over the past few years, Charm Industrial has been collaborating with legislators, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and numerous NGO, industry, and academic partners to explore these concepts - what is the right mix of technologies for California? How can CDR help plug the gaps for residual and hard to abate emissions, and what are the benefits for Californians? We are incredibly proud of this progress, and this suite of new mechanisms provides support for R&D, supply, and demand, which together will support the scaling of the CDR industry - coupled with additional resources allocated to CARB for scaling SB905, the Carbon Capture Removal and Storage bill passed in 2022, which provides the framework to support this work. This is also yet another example of California leading the nation by fully integrating responsible CDR into its programs, creating a huge opportunity for the state to lead on scaling a wide range of technologies that will not only create environmental and economic benefits, but are also critical to helping the state stay on track for net zero and reaching California’s climate goals. Thank you to our partners in the legislature and agencies for your vision and commitment to scaling these solutions, and to all of our NGO, industry, and academic partners for all of the painstaking work to come up with the right set of solutions for California. We’re looking forward to working together to implement these important programs! 

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So much talk of building new power generation and transmission infra (which yes, we need) but too often the power is already right there, it's just being dumped off because nobody is sure if it's safe for the grid to handle this particular current at that particular node at this particular time. Another problem for AI! Splight is now deployed with a dozen power generators and infra operators to get more (sometimes 100% more) power safely out of the existing stuff we've already built. The Blue Bear Capital team is proud to lead Splight's latest investment round! Thanks to the Splight Team incl Fernando Llaver, Carlos Caldart, Thomas Vadora, our co-investors ZOMA Capital, and our Blue Bear deal team Carolin Funk, Ph.D., Hayley Nystrom (McCurdy), Thomas Ferguson, Georgia Carroll.

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Yes, we need more (and cleaner) energy production -- but we can also do much, much more with what we already have. Stina, CEO, boils it down nicely in the press release (link in comments): "Distributed energy already holds enormous potential, but participation hasn't kept pace with deployment." Derapi's universal API platform is a critical unlock for coordinating existing and new devices (your solar panels, your EV, your home battery, your dishwasher...) into reliable, grid-scale infrastructure. Tuesday Capital is very excited to back this unparalleled team carrying us toward our much needed software-defined grid. Many thanks to Stina and Thomas for their patience in onboarding me to their sector and tech; to Ramsay Siegal of Earthshot Ventures for the original introduction way back when, and to Ben Conte of Susquehanna Sustainable Investments (SSI) for the critical contributions to our diligence. LFG!

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Late to share but was so great to host Elad Walach (Aidoc), Tanay Tandon (Commure), and Keisuke Nakagawa, MD (UC San Diego Health) at the General Catalyst SF HQ for a conversation about the next-gen healthcare stack. Here are my key takeaways: 💵 Know Your Customer's Financials: Understanding hospital P&Ls is crucial -- designing product that that aligns directly with specific line items ensures clear ROI for buyers. 💼 Regulatory Tailwinds: The Cures Act is transforming data access. Recent rulings now prohibit EMRs from blocking data scraping, paving the way for faster, more straightforward integrations. 🐴 AI as a Strategic Entry Point: Giving commodity product away at a low price can serve as a wedge into more lucrative categories (e.g., from scribing to RCM). 👩‍💻 From Point Solutions to Platforms: Hospitals are moving away from fragmented tools to prevent the "swivel chair problem." But most platforms start as point solutions focused on high value problems. Holly Maloney Chris Bischoff Elena Viboch Alexandre Momeni Tania Alvarez #HealthcareInnovation #AIinHealthcare #DigitalHealth #HealthTech #GeneralCatalyst

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I’m lucky to work alongside colleagues like Richard Fruehauf, who constantly push my thinking. His latest piece unpacks why U.S. robotics and drone manufacturing faces uphill economics, and how public policy can help turn the tide. One key takeaway: 232 tariffs on robotics imports could help reset the economics that are holding back U.S. investment and production. It’s a sharp perspective on how policy can shape the future of advanced tech here at home. Well worth a read: https://lnkd.in/edMPTQPQ Richard Fruehauf, Robert J. Szczerba, Michael Lutzky, Edward Ovando, Karl Sanchack, Herman Herman, Jeff Legault, Phil English, Richard Fruehauf, Ryan Aument, Michael Guido, Sheila Fitzgerald Sterrett, David McCormick

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The next era of clean energy isn’t just about generating power—it’s about making distributed systems reliable, investable, and built to scale. That’s why we led Omnidian's $87M funding round. Omnidian provides performance assurance for residential and commercial solar and storage systems, using predictive analytics and expert service to maximize uptime, system life, and returns. As distributed energy becomes a core part of the global grid, long-term performance and trust will define the winners. Omnidian is building the infrastructure to make that possible. Congratulations to Mark Liffmann and the entire team—this is just the beginning.

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At Anzu Partners we invest in companies tackling global challenges with breakthrough technology, and XGS Energy is a standout example. We backed XGS in 2022 because their thermal reach enhancement unlocks geothermal resources traditional methods can’t access. The result is affordable, reliable, zero-carbon baseload power for energy-hungry sectors such as data centers, semiconductor fabs, and advanced manufacturing. Since then, the XGS team has picked up impressive momentum that has surpassed our expectations. ⚡ Recent Milestones - Meta signed a landmark agreement for 150 MW of geothermal power to run its New Mexico data centers. - A new bridge round led by institutional climate investors Aligned Climate Capital , ClearSky , WovenEarth Ventures , and ClimateIC is accelerating scale-up. - The commercial-scale pilot has surpassed 1,000 operating hours in a closed-loop system that produces heat without consuming additional water. 🌍 Market Validation - Constellation , the largest U.S. nuclear operator, evaluated the geothermal landscape and chose to invest in a single company: XGS Energy. - Mano Nazar, former President of NextEra's nuclear division, joined the XGS board, adding deep technical credibility. - The Meta agreement, along with several more commercial deals in progress, confirms both product performance and cost competitiveness. We are proud to support XGS as they move from pilot to full-scale deployment and reshape the future of clean baseload power. Exciting times ahead of their Series B! Learn more about the partnership with Meta: https://lnkd.in/eQMmtiu6

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We're excited to lead Clarium's $27M Series A, with participation from General Catalyst, AlleyCorp, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, TMC Ventures, and 1984 Ventures. Healthcare supply chains represent a critical but overlooked component of patient care. In an industry where nearly $30 billion of the $140 billion spent annually on medical supplies is wasted, Clarium is building something revolutionary: Astra OS, the first comprehensive resiliency platform for healthcare supply chains. What makes Clarium special is their holistic approach. While most solutions offer band-aids for specific pain points, Clarium's platform unifies fragmented data across providers, manufacturers, and distributors, applying AI to help health systems anticipate disruptions before they impact patient care. In today's world of climate disasters, global consolidation, and increasing tariffs, supply chain resilience isn't optional—it's essential. When Hurricane Helene recently knocked out a facility producing 70% of America's saline supply, Clarium's platform gave customers critical early warnings and alternative supplier recommendations. Founder Steve Liou brings unique insights from his background in healthcare investment banking, VC, and portfolio management at Point72, Citadel, and Millennium. He's built a team that understands both the complexities of healthcare operations and the power of modern technology. We're proud to back Steve and the entire Clarium team as they build the infrastructure for a smarter, more efficient healthcare future. p.s. If you want a free tariff assessment for your health system, get in touch! CC Northzone Wendy Xiao Nick Boesel

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We’re excited to back Ateios Systems in their $7.25M Series A, led by TitletownTech. Battery demand is scaling fast—but manufacturing remains the bottleneck. Ateios is tackling this directly with a platform that increases electrode production speed on existing lines—no new factories required. The team has already demonstrated this with partners like Eastman Kodak Company. As the industry pushes toward the gigawatt-hour scale, solutions like this will define who can actually deliver. Carat Venture Partners is proud to be part of the journey alongside a strong syndicate. #batterytech #manufacturing #venturecapital

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Super excited to welcome Powerline into the MaC Venture Capital portfolio as we lead their $7M Seed round! Grid-scale battery storage is scaling fast, but operating these assets well is anything but simple. Operators are navigating volatile markets with unique dynamics and real-time tradeoffs. Powerline cuts through that complexity with their AI-powered digital twin that lets teams benchmark outcomes, safely test strategies, and operate with far more confidence and control. We’re thrilled to partner with the exceptional co-founder team Matineh Eybpoosh and Julian Lamy, along with the broader Powerline team, as they build the intelligence layer for modern energy systems.

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For the first time in U.S. history, a state has officially certified an AI microgrid. It happened in Mason County, West Virginia. NScale just acquired the Monarch Compute Campus. 2,250 acres, 8GW+ of power capacity, and the only state-certified AI microgrid in the country. Microsoft signed a letter of intent for 1.35GW of compute capacity on the same day. Nvidia and Caterpillar are supplying the hardware and power equipment. Here's my take... West Virginia just did something most states are too slow to do. They built a regulatory framework before the capital showed up. That's why the capital showed up. Most states are still debating moratoriums while West Virginia is certifying microgrids and signing Microsoft. The lesson for anyone in this space: the deals don't go to the best land. They go to the best regulatory environment. *Used AI to create this image*

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🚨 The “Big Beautiful Bill” just passed—and it could be the most consequential climate rollback in U.S. history. ⚡️ Wind and solar tax credits are set to phase out years earlier, threatening over 70% of planned clean energy projects. 🚘 EV and battery incentives are being slashed, stalling adoption and investment. 🛢️ Fossil fuels, LNG, and permitting reforms are prioritized, reversing much of the momentum from the Inflation Reduction Act. 📉 An estimated 330,000 clean energy jobs could be at risk, while U.S. competitiveness in climate tech may falter just as global rivals double down. In this rapidly shifting landscape, evaluating what is ahead of the industry would be very critical. 🔔 Join Us for an Exclusive Webinar | July 8 @ 6:30 PM PST Navigating Clean Energy Funding: Insights from Former DOE Leadership 🔔 Vectors Capital is thrilled to host a 30-minute power session + live Q&A with Victor Scott Kane, Former Deputy Director of Commercialization at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Whether you're a climate founder, corporate innovator, or investor, this is your chance to hear directly from DOE leadership on how to strategically position for upcoming funding opportunities and policy shifts. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: ✅ Insider tips on DOE funding strategy ✅ Navigating grants, cooperative agreements & prize competitions ✅ Practical guidance for successful applications ✅ Implications of the new Senate bill for innovation, investment & industry partnerships 🗓️ Tuesday, July 8 🕡 6:30 PM PST 📍 Virtual | Zoom link upon registration 👉 Register Now: https://shorturl.at/cgBIf Let’s unpack what’s next for the climate innovation ecosystem—together. #climatetech #policy #DOE #energytransition #cleantech #venturecapital #grants #non-dilutivefunding #cleanenergy #webinar #BigBeautifulBill

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We are initiating coverage of Varda Space Industries for the America2030 Portfolio at IPO CLUB, strategically focused on investments in Space and Dual-Use technology innovation. Investment Thesis: Varda operates at the forefront of in-space manufacturing, a paradigm-shifting sector set to unlock new commercial possibilities and optimize the production of high-value materials that cannot be manufactured on Earth. By leveraging microgravity environments, Varda aims to deliver products with superior properties for pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and advanced materials industries, while also catering to the unique requirements of defense and government stakeholders. Key Drivers: • Emerging Markets: Rapidly growing interest in microgravity-enabled products, with increasing demand from both commercial and defense sectors. • First Mover Advantage: Proprietary return-to-Earth capabilities position Varda as an early leader in the commercialization of in-space manufacturing. • Dual-Use Readiness: Technologies developed are inherently dual-use, appealing to both private sector innovators and government agencies seeking strategic materials and manufacturing capacities. Risks & Considerations: The in-space manufacturing industry is still in its formative stages, with considerable technological, regulatory, and market adoption risks. Successful execution of return missions and long-term contract acquisition will be pivotal for Varda’s growth trajectory. We see Varda as a high-potential addition to our America 2030 Portfolio, reflecting our conviction in Space and Dual-Use technologies as next-generation growth engines. Latest Update: Varda - In June 2025, Varda launched its fourth W-series mission, debuting its fully in-house satellite bus, heat shield, and a solution-based pharmaceutical processing module—all developed at its El Segundo HQ. This flight marked the first commercial missions under its new FAA re-entry vehicle operator license (Part 450), granting re-entry permissions through 2029.  In July 2025, Varda secured $187 million in Series C funding, led by Natural Capital andShrug Capitall with participation fromFounders Fundd, Peter Thiel,Khosla Venturess,Lux Capitall,Caffeinated Capitall, andAlso Capitall—bringing total funding to approximately $329 million. This round will accelerate its flight cadence and build out expanded pharmaceutical labs, including a 10,000 sq ft facility in El Segundo staffed with structural biologists and crystallization scientists. More on the deal 👉 www.ipo.club/deals/varda #InvestmentResearch #IPOClub #America2030 #SpaceTech #InSpaceManufacturing #DualUse #Innovation

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You can have groundbreaking science, elegant engineering, and even early customer interest. But without this one thing, you don't have an investable business. After two decades running IP strategy projects and now leading UC Berkeley's Deep Tech Innovation Lab while building the Berkeley Gateway Accelerator, I've watched countless brilliant technologies die in the valley between breakthrough and business. The problem isn't what most technical founders think it is. It's not about having better tech. It's not about getting more funding. It's not even about finding product-market fit. The fatal flaw shows up much earlier—and it's almost always the same mistake. In my latest piece, I answer questions from a Taiwanese entrepreneur about what really separates deep tech ventures that scale from those that stall. Including one provocative suggestion for Asian ecosystems that has nothing to do with technology. Read the full conversation, linked below. #DeepTech #Innovation #Startups #IntellectualProperty #VentureCapital

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Some very welcome news for VC and PE firms, as well as other entities investing in startup and emerging growth companies. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has announced the suspension of the implementation and enforcement of the data collection and reporting regime imposed by the Fair Investment Practices by Venture Capital Companies Law (FIPVCC). This decision comes pending the completion of a rule-making process initiated by the DFPI in response to feedback from stakeholders affected by the regime. As a result, the DFPI will not require covered entities to submit further registrations or file reports by the April 1, 2026 deadline. For more information, visit the DFPI website: https://lnkd.in/eqjJbSFz

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We are thrilled to celebrate Powerline’s $7M Seed round and our partnership with this exceptional team. Led by Matineh Eybpoosh and Julian Lamy, Powerline is solving the most critical bottleneck of the energy transition: the "Intelligence Gap." As global energy demand surges, the grid requires capacity that is both faster to deploy and hyper-efficient to operate. Powerline is proving that the answer lies in software-driven intelligence. Their AI platform — the Battery Co-Pilot™ — radically improves the unit economics of energy storage, converting batteries from passive backup into high-yield financial assets. They are already delivering measurable results across the energy lifecycle: Existing Installations: Retrofitting "brownfield" battery portfolios with an intelligence layer that captures missed revenue and manages market volatility. New Deployments: Providing the digital testbeds needed to scale global fleets with institutional precision, significantly shortening the path to ROI. Legacy Displacement: Delivering a cost-effective alternative to polluting "peaker-plants," which can cost up to $200/MWh more than an optimized Powerline fleet. While solar-plus-storage is now consistently 20-30% cheaper than new-build gas, the real victory is in how that hardware is managed. At J-Impact Fund, we focus on the massive value creation that occurs when technology turns energy scarcity into abundance. By shifting the grid from a model of expensive, finite fuel to one of persistent, harvested power, we unlock superior financial upside. For us, deep decarbonization is the inevitable byproduct of this superior economic model. Congratulations to Matineh, Julian, and the entire team—we are proud to be on this journey with you. #EnergyStorage #AIOptimization #VentureCapital #AssetManagement #SeriesSeed #FinancialAlpha

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