🚗 Toyota Launches H2HQ in Advanced Gardena
Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.
🔦 Spotlight
Image Source: Toyota
Toyota has transformed its facility in Gardena, CA, into a hydrogen research and development center to capitalize on the expanding market for hydrogen technology in California. With three decades of experience in hydrogen-powered mobility, Toyota is aligning with California's efforts to transition to fuel cells, particularly in the trucking and stationary power sectors. The facility, now named North American Hydrogen Headquarters, will house around 50 engineers and specialists focused on advancing both vehicle and stationary power applications. The revamped office space will serve as a hub for research, development, and commercialization of hydrogen-related products and technologies. Additionally, they have plans to expand the campus with features like a flexible microgrid and sustainable education center for people to learn more about sustainability and hydrogen's role in it. Toyota's President and CEO, Ted Ogawa, emphasizes their commitment to scalable, zero-emission technology and reducing carbon emissions through real-world products like the Mirai fuel-cell car.
Despite challenges such as a shortage of hydrogen refueling stations, Toyota is leveraging its resources to scale up hydrogen technology. The company operates a hydrogen stationary power at its Long Beach port facility, using biomass waste gas to produce clean hydrogen. California's stringent regulations, including requiring newer trucks and buses and eventually banning all internal combustion trucks by 2036, are driving the adoption of clean technologies..
🤝 Venture Deals
LA Companies
- Mother Science, a biotech skincare brand, raised a $3.5M Funding Round led by Greycroft. - learn more
- Rainmaker, a cloud-seeding startup, raised a $6.3M Seed Round from Long Journey Ventures, Day One Ventures, Tamarack Global, 1517 Fund, Starship VC, Champion Hill Ventures, Garry Tan, and Balaji Srinivasan. - learn more
- Elementary, an AI-powered machine vision software developer, raised an undisclosed amount from Rockwell Automation. - learn more
LA Venture Funds
- Joyful Ventures co-led a $2.3M Pre-Seed Round for Maia Farms, a startup that specializes in producing and supplying mycelium-based products primarily targeting the meat alternatives market. - learn more
- Magic Fund participated in a $1.9M Funding Round for Renda, a startup that offers African businesses services such as warehousing, fulfillment, and last-mile delivery. - learn more
- Fika Ventures co-led a $4.1M Seed Round for Volta, a startup that focuses on providing financial institutions with tools and services to manage and optimize their cryptocurrency portfolios. - learn more
- OCV participated in a $50M Series B for Rad AI, a provider of AI-guided tools for radiologists. - learn more
- Unlikely Capital Partners participated in a $14M Series A for Backpack Healthcare, an online provider of pediatric mental health care. - learn more
- B Capital led a $20M Series B for Sift Healthcare, an AI-powered healthcare payment solutions company. - learn more
LA Exits
- Bar Bakers, a nutritional snack maker, was acquired by TruFood Manufacturing. - learn more
Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.