our investment strategy
At DTE Energy Ventures we are looking for technologies that have high potential to succeed in the energy industry. We are also looking for technologies that will fit under the broad DTE Energy umbrella of energy businesses. In general, there are four categories of "fit" that every investment must meet:
Platform
Investments must fit within one or both of our two primary energy technology platforms:
- Distributed Energy Resources
- Distributed Generation (fuel cells, advanced turbines, solar PV, etc.)
- Energy Storage (flywheels, advanced batteries, etc.)
- Power Quality and Reliability
- New Service and Delivery Models
- Clean Energy
- Renewable Electricity Generation (solar PV, wind, biomass, etc.)
- Hydrogen and Related Infrastructure (production, storage and delivery)
- Environmental Controls
- Clean Coal Technologies
- Alternative Fuels
Strategic
Investments must fit strategically with the existing and future business interests of DTE Energy and its business units, which include:
- Detroit Edison (electricity generation and distribution)
- MichCon (natural gas distribution)
- DTE Energy Services (power generation, on-site energy projects, coal-based fuels)
- DTE Biomass Energy (landfill gas to energy projects)
- DTE Coal Services (coal sourcing, procurement, transportation, logistics and PepTec)
- DTE Energy Trading (electricity, gas and emission credits marketing and trading)
- DTE Gas & Oil (a leader in unconventional gas development)
- DTE Gas Resources (gas production, and coal bed methane)
- DTE Gas Storage, Pipelines and Processing (owns and operates 52 Bcf of gas storage)
- DTE Energy Technologies (distributed generation)
Risk Profile
All venture capital investments face market, technology and execution risks. We seek investments with reasonable risk in these areas. We look for risk mitigating factors that include:
- Defined and growing markets with manageable path to sales
- Limited technology risk with uncertainties well understood
- Compelling technology with significant advantages over competition and IP protection
- Strong, proven management team with clear vision toward commercial success
Typically, companies that meet these criteria have previously raised start-up or seed funding, developed their technology concept and begun to fill out their management team.
DTE Energy Ventures focuses investments on early to middle stage companies:
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Typically, companies that meet these criteria have previously raised start-up or seed funding, developed an initial prototype of their technology and begun to fill out their management team.
Investment Structure
DTE Energy Ventures looks to invest equity in the $1 - $5 MM range per investment, staged over multiple rounds as necessary. We strongly favor investing with partners and seek an interest in a company of less than 20%.
