Evergreen fund fueled by philanthropic gifts invests in startups commercializing U of A innovations

Dr. Thomas Gianetti, team lead of a University of Arizona redox flow battery initiative, has secured early-stage funding from the Wildcat Philanthropic Seed Fund (WPSF) to accelerate commercialization of his startup, CarbeniumTec.

Launched by Tech Launch Arizona, the WPSF is an evergreen, donor-supported fund designed to help startups bridge the high-risk early stage of development while bringing university innovations to market. The fund, now nearing 60% of its initial fundraising goal, recently announced its first investments including support for CarbeniumTec.

Founded in 2022, CarbeniumTec is commercializing a breakthrough energy storage technology developed at the University of Arizona. Led by Gianetti, an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, the team is advancing a novel organic redox flow battery designed to store electricity more sustainably and for longer durations than conventional lithium-ion systems.

The innovation addresses a critical gap in renewable energy infrastructure: while lithium-ion batteries typically provide 4–6 hours of storage, CarbeniumTec’s technology aims to deliver 8–12 hours using a metal-free, environmentally friendly approach.

“This funding allows us to take key steps toward scaling and certifying our technology,” said the team. Over the next two years, CarbeniumTec plans to refine its product and move toward commercialization.

The WPSF operates as a philanthropic, reinvesting fund meaning proceeds from successful startups are funneled back into future University of Arizona ventures, sustaining a growing pipeline of innovation.

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