DirectH2, Inc Secures Exclusive License from Rice University and Seed Round Funding from HL Energy Ventures
DALLAS, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DirectH2, Inc., a pioneering hydrogen technology company, has successfully closed its seed round funding from HL Energy Ventures. This investment marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to revolutionize modular hydrogen production.
With this funding, DirectH2 aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of its cutting-edge hydrogen solutions in collaboration with Rice University, addressing critical challenges in the clean energy sector. DirectH2 has exclusively licensed the intellectual property (IP) from Rice University that underpins its innovative technology.
Michael Irwin, co-founder and interim CEO, DirectH2, said:
HL Energy Ventures is an excellent partner in bringing our breakthrough hydrogen technology to market,
“This investment validates our vision and will enable us to further develop efficient PV-based hydrogen solutions that drive the transition to sustainable energy. Rice will continue to be a critical collaborator in the technology development and commercialization journey.”
HL Energy Ventures, the spin-out of Hunt Energy’s technology venture business known for backing transformative energy technologies, sees DirectH2 as a key player in advancing next-generation hydrogen solutions.
Victor Liu, CEO, HL Energy Ventures, said :
DirectH2’s innovation to integrate renewable energy with hydrogen production opens up how green hydrogen can be produced, and we are excited to support their journey,
Aditya Mohite, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rice University. Prof. Mohite is co-founder of DirectH2 and will serve as its Chief Science Officer, said:
I am so excited by the launch of DirectH2, a product of years of perseverance, research and creativity of brilliant graduate students at Rice and dedicated collaborators at the Department of Energy laboratories.
“I am particularly grateful for the support of the DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office. My deepest gratitude to my research team, Materials Physics and Energy Management, and the Office of Technology Transfer and Rice Innovation, and the unwavering support of my family.”
Paul Cherukuri, Chief Innovation Officer, Rice University, said:
As Rice University continues to strengthen its role in driving innovation from the lab to the marketplace, DirectH2 represents exactly the kind of transformative impact we aim to achieve.
“This company is a testament to the power of university breakthroughs in solving global energy challenges, and we are proud to support its journey toward commercializing game-changing hydrogen technology,”
With this funding, DirectH2 is set to expand its team with additional leadership and technical resources, refine its technology, and establish key industry partnerships to bring its innovations to market.
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DirectH2, Inc Secures Exclusive License from Rice University and Seed Round Funding from HL Energy Ventures, source
