AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - Jul 21, 2015) - Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global clean energy communications and consulting firm, released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity for the Smart Grid, Battery/Storage and Energy Efficiency sectors for the second quarter of 2015.
Smart Grid
Venture capital (VC) funding (including private equity) for Smart Grid companies was down with $104 million (M) in 18 deals in Q2 2015, compared to $185M in 15 deals in Q1 2015. Smart Grid companies have now raised $289M in the first half of this year compared to $183M raised in the same period in 2014.
Chart: Smart Grid VC Funding Q2 2014-Q2 2015
The Top VC funded company in Q2 2015 was Actility, which raised $25M. Other top deals were Smart Wires, with $17.3M; Bit Stew Systems, with $17.2M; and DataTorrent, which received $15M. Rounding out the Top 5 was Itineris, which raised $10M.
Chart: Smart Grid - Top 5 VC Funded Companies in Q2 2015
Thirty-seven investors participated in smart grid VC funding rounds in Q2 2015, including two accelerators. Within Smart Grid, Data Analytics companies raised the most funding.
There was one IPO this quarter: home automation company Alarm.com, raised $98M.
There were three Smart Grid M&A transactions in Q2 2015 totaling $15M.
Battery / Storage
Companies in the Battery / Storage space received $126M in VC funding in 13 deals, significantly higher compared to $69M in seven deals in Q1 2015. Battery/Storage companies raised $194M in the first half of 2015 compared to $282M raised in the first half of 2014.
Top Battery / Storage deals included the $58.1M raise by VionX Energy, followed by Cnano Technology, with $15M. Stem with $12M, Skeleton Technologies with $10.7M and Advanced MicroGrid Solutions which received $8.8M.
Chart: Battery/Storage - Top 5 VC Funded Companies in Q2 2015
There were 24 investors who participated in VC funding rounds this quarter. Within Battery / Storage, flow battery companies raised the most funding. There were seven debt and public market financing deals in the Battery/Storage category totaling $69M in Q2 2015. There was one M&A transaction in Battery/Storage in Q2 2015.
Efficiency
Energy Efficiency companies received $211M in VC funding in 18 deals in Q2 2015, up compared to the $140M in 15 deals in the first quarter. Efficiency companies have brought in $351M in the first half of 2015 compared to $269M in the same period last year.
Top Energy Efficiency deals included the $70M raise by Transphorm; followed by Aledia, with $31M; and FirstFuel Software, with $23M. eVolution Networks raised $22.5M, and GaN Systems raised $20M. There were 42 investors who participated in VC funding rounds.
Chart: Energy Efficiency - Top 5 VC Funded Companies in Q2 2015
There were five debt and public market financing deals in the Energy Efficiency category for $355M this quarter compared to $183M in three deals in Q1 2015. The largest deal was the $240M raise by Renovate America.
There were 10 M&A transactions in the Energy Efficiency category in Q2 2015.
To get a copy of the report, visit: http://bit.ly/MercomSGQ22015
About Mercom Capital Group
Mercom Capital Group, llc, is a global communications and research firm focused on cleantech. Mercom advises companies on new market entry, custom market intelligence and strategic decision-making. Mercom's communications division helps companies build powerful relationships with media, analysts, local communities, and strategic partners. About Mercom: http://www.mercomcapital.com.