Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: NanoH2O, Inc. Secures Over $60 Million in Equity and Debt Financing: BASF Venture Capital, Total Energy Ventures and Keytone Ventures Co-Lead $40 Million Equity Funding to Accelerate the Company’s Commercial Operations and Manufacturing Capabilities

Home > Press > NanoH2O, Inc. Secures Over $60 Million in Equity and Debt Financing: BASF Venture Capital, Total Energy Ventures and Keytone Ventures Co-Lead $40 Million Equity Funding to Accelerate the Company’s Commercial Operations and Manufacturing Capabilities

Abstract:
NanoH2O, Inc., manufacturer of the most efficient and cost effective reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for seawater desalination, today announced that it has closed a $40 million equity round and $20.5 million in credit facilities. NanoH2O's patented thin-film nanocomposite membrane technology can purify water from a broad range of sources, yielding higher productivity, better water quality or reduced energy consumption over traditional membranes.

NanoH2O, Inc. Secures Over $60 Million in Equity and Debt Financing: BASF Venture Capital, Total Energy Ventures and Keytone Ventures Co-Lead $40 Million Equity Funding to Accelerate the Company’s Commercial Operations and Manufacturing Capabilities

El Segundo, CA | Posted on April 30th, 2012

BASF Venture Capital GmbH, Total Energy Ventures International and Keytone Ventures co-led the $40 million equity financing that included all of NanoH2O's existing investors including Khosla Ventures, Oak Investment Partners, CalPERS Clean Energy & Technology Fund represented by Capital Dynamics and PCG Clean Energy & Technology Fund. The $20.5 million in growth capital, working capital and equipment financing credit facilities were provided by Comerica Bank and Lighthouse Capital Partners, with the working capital line backed by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. The $40 million investment brings NanoH2O's total equity funding to $75 million, and total debt and equity funding to over $100 million, making the Company one of the most highly funded water technology companies in the industry. Proceeds from the equity offering will enable the Company to accelerate its growth, expand its manufacturing capabilities and broaden its product offerings.

Jeff Green, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NanoH2O stated, "We are delighted to have such highly regarded, international organizations invest in our future and appreciate the continued support of our existing, globally renowned investors. With these funds and new strategic partners, we are well positioned to continue to provide our global customers with new, leading-edge RO membranes that lower the energy, operating and capital costs of desalination and other water treatment applications.

"There is a great demand worldwide for innovative technologies to produce drinking water from seawater," said Dirk Nachtigal, Managing Director, BASF Venture Capital. "NanoH2O has developed special nanostructured polymer-based membranes for seawater desalination which are particularly effective in removing the salt from seawater in a highly energy efficient way," explained Nachtigal.

Véronique Hervouet, Senior Vice President, Investments, Total Energy Ventures added, "The need for innovative technologies to meet the increasing demand for fresh water while lowering its energy and environmental footprint has never been greater. NanoH2O's ability to rapidly develop novel membranes for water treatment applications fits our mission to invest in companies with unique technologies that bring smart and sustainable solutions to the energy industry."

In addition, Joe Zhou, Managing Partner of Keytone Ventures, stated "China is undergoing immense economic and industrial growth. As infrastructure expands, water supply challenges are driving the need for new alternatives in treatment technologies. Keytone is committed to supporting cleantech innovation and furthering advanced solutions in the water sector. China is one of the largest desalination markets in the world and we are eager to partner with NanoH2O to meet the growing demand."

In connection with this financing, representatives from BASF Venture Capital, Total Energy Ventures and Keytone Ventures will join the Company's board of directors.

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About NanoH2O, Inc.
NanoH2O, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and markets reverse osmosis (RO) membranes that lower the cost of desalination. Based on breakthrough nanostructured materials and industry-proven polymer technology, NanoH2O’s QuantumFlux membranes dramatically improve desalination energy efficiency and productivity. QuantumFlux seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membranes, Standard 61 certified by NSF International for the production of drinking water, deliver the highest flux and the highest salt rejection of any SWRO membrane on the market. QuantumFlux membranes are available in standard 8-inch (20 cm) diameter elements that fit easily into new and existing desalination plants, purifying water from a broad range of sources with improved productivity and water quality. NanoH2O is the 2011 Aquatech Innovation Award Winner in the Water Supply category. For more information, visit www.nanoh2o.com.

About BASF Venture Capital

BASF Venture Capital GmbH was established in 2001 as a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF Future Business GmbH, Ludwigshafen, Germany, with the aim of exploring new growth potentials based on investment in startup companies and funds. More information is available at www.basf-vc.de.

About Total Energy Ventures

Total Energy Ventures’ investments support the development of companies with innovative technologies and business models in areas such as energy efficiency, alternative and renewable energies, water, wastes valorisation, greenhouse gas reduction and sustainable mobility. The investments primarily consist of acquiring minority interests in promising innovative companies to help finance their development.

Total is one of the largest major integrated oil and gas companies in the world, with activities in more than 130 countries. The Group is also a first rank player in chemicals. Its 93,000 employees put their expertise to work in every part of the industry – exploration and production of oil and natural gas, refining and marketing, gas and new energies, trading, and chemicals. Total is working to help satisfy the global demand for energy, both today and tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.total.com.

About Keytone Ventures

Keytone Ventures is a China-focused venture capital fund that currently manages $420 million in capital. Founded in 2008, Keytone Ventures targets early-stage and early-growth-stage companies and primarily identifies investment opportunities in technology, clean technology, consumer services, and internet. Keytone is committed to building industry-leading companies and partnering with world-class entrepreneurs.

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Contacts:
NanoH2O, Inc.
Media Contact:
Rachel Hoher
+1-424-218-4037
Marketing Manager

Financial Contact:
John M. Markovich
+1-424-218-4004
Chief Financial Officer

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