MILLBRAE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stem, Inc., the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered energy storage, today announced the first close of its Series D financing with an $80 million investment from a group of leading technology investors. In 2017, the company had over 1,100 sites operational or in construction with an average system size of 500 kWh, having commissioned a new energy storage system on average every two days.
The Series D was led by Activate Capital, a growth equity firm exclusively focused on companies providing innovative products and solutions across the sustainable energy and industrial technology markets.
“Activate invests in fast growing companies with exceptional management teams that are transforming industries. Stem is clearly the leader in the energy storage market, offering a powerful AI and technology platform that creates significant value to those inside their network,” said Activate Capital managing director, Anup Jacob.
Activate Capital was joined by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (“Ontario Teachers’”), Canada's largest single-profession pension plan, and Temasek, an investment company headquartered in Singapore. “Ontario Teachers’ and Temasek have combined portfolios in excess of $300B across the global commercial, industrial and real estate landscape. In addition, these firms bring deep relationships, a long history of investment in innovative platforms, and credibility with global financial institutions. These elements will be critical in advancing our next stage of growth as we continue to lead innovation in the distributed energy industry,” said John Carrington, CEO of Stem, Inc.
Stem has had a strong year in Ontario, Canada, and looks to continue its momentum with its Global Adjustment offering–specifically designed for Ontario–which is ideal for large manufacturing plants and other industrial operations that seek improved control over energy costs.
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan senior managing director Andrew Claerhout commented, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support the continued growth of an innovative company with a proven product like Stem. Ontario Teachers’ foresees that more investment is needed in the transition to a low carbon electricity system and expects that batteries will play a key role in the transition and in making the electric grid more sustainable. Ontario Teachers’ will support Stem’s growth by leveraging our strategic partnerships globally.”
The equity raise caps a record 2017 for Stem’s growth in system count, new market expansion, and partnerships, with more announcements to come in 2018. Stem now has hundreds of systems under management across five states and three countries (US, Japan, and Canada). These systems form networks for capacity and grid services with eight utilities across North America and Tokyo Electric Power in Japan. Of the company’s over 1,100 sites, 330 locations are standalone PowerMonitor controls and software for utility use. These sites provide utility customers with additional grid edge visibility and control in areas with high rooftop solar penetration.
In 2017, Stem also announced innovative bundled customer service offerings with CPower, Constellation, and Sunpower for intelligent storage, traditional demand response, and solar+storage. Also in 2017, Stem’s platform, AthenaTM, the first artificial intelligence for customer-sited energy storage, was called on over 600 times to dispatch in day-ahead and real-time (five-minute) responses to the California wholesale market, helping alleviate heat wave-induced grid stress through its innovative Virtual Power Plant software technology.
“We are excited to announce that international investors like Activate Capital, Ontario Teachers’, and Temasek are joining us in transforming the way energy is distributed and consumed,” said John Carrington, CEO of Stem, Inc. “Our investors recognize Stem’s innovative value in energy superintelligenceTM and real-time energy optimization that benefits the customer, the utility, and the grid.”
About Stem, Inc.
Stem creates innovative technology services that transform the way energy is distributed and consumed. AthenaTM by Stem is the first AI for energy storage and virtual power plants. It optimizes the timing of energy use and facilitates consumers’ participation in energy markets, yielding economic and societal benefits while decarbonizing the grid. The company’s mission is to build and operate the smartest and largest digitally-connected energy storage network for our customers. Headquartered in Millbrae, California, Stem is directly funded by a consortium of leading investors including Activate Capital, Angeleno Group, Constellation Technology Ventures, Iberdrola (Inversiones Financieras Perseo), GE Ventures, Mithril Capital Management, Mitsui & Co. LTD., Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, RWE Supply & Trading, Temasek, and Total Energy Ventures. Visit www.stem.com for more information.
About Activate Capital
Activate Capital was founded to be the leading growth equity partner to companies providing innovative solutions across the energy, transportation and industrial technology markets. The firm partners with management teams in high growth companies and provides them with the necessary capital, resources and support to achieve their highest potential to build meaningful scale and impact. Together the Activate Principals have successfully invested over $1 billion in its target sectors, resulting in 11 IPOs and 19 exits through acquisition.
About Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan is Canada's largest single-profession pension plan, with C$180.5 billion in net assets at June 30, 2017. It holds a diverse global portfolio of assets, approximately 80% of which is managed in-house, and has earned an annualized gross rate of return of 10.1% since the Plan's founding in 1990. Ontario Teachers' is an independent organization headquartered in Toronto. Its Asia-Pacific region office is located in Hong Kong and its Europe, Middle East & Africa region office is in London. The defined-benefit plan, which is fully funded, invests and administers the pensions of the province of Ontario's 318,000 active and retired teachers.
About Temasek
Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company headquartered in Singapore. Supported by 11 offices internationally, Temasek owns a US$197 billion portfolio as of 31 March 2017, mainly in Singapore and the rest of Asia. Our portfolio covers a broad spectrum of industries: financial services; telecommunications, media & technology; transportation & industrials; consumer & real estate; life sciences & agriculture; as well as energy & resources. Our investment activities are guided by four investment themes and the long term trends they represent: Transforming Economies; Growing Middle Income Populations; Deepening Comparative Advantages; and Emerging Champions. For more information on Temasek, please visit www.temasek.com.sg.
© 2018 Stem, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Stem and the Stem logo are registered trademarks of Stem Incorporated in the U.S.
