TDK Ventures backs innovative nanomaterials coating technology startup, actnano

TDK Corporation announced that its subsidiary TDK Ventures, has invested in the Series B financing of actnano, a nanomaterials technology company that is setting new standards for electronics protection with its water and environmental-resistant smart coating solutions that protect a variety of products.

actnano is currently focusing on customers in the automotive sector and already has its coatings applied to components within roughly 1.2 million vehicles on the road today. It counts global automotive and consumer electronics OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers as core customers.

actnano's nanocoating technology is specially designed to ensure automotive electronics keep running in wet, humid, or other environmentally harsh conditions. Their hydrophobic, electrically insulating coating can be applied directly on connectors, antennas, LEDs and high heat generating components. Since many types of components and connections have historically been uncoated and thus vulnerable to water damage, this is an industry game changer.

In partnering with actnano, TDK Ventures continues to fulfill its commitment to invest in startups leveraging innovations in fundamental materials science to contribute to society and the planet for the betterment of mankind.

Nicolas Sauvage, President, TDK Ventures: "The rapid growth of EVs and autonomous-driving vehicles over the last decade has been astonishing. Protecting the electronics in these vehicles, including their advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), is vital for the continued safety of the general driving public, as well as the continued growth of electric vehicles, which play a significant role in decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels. For that reason, actnano is a meaningful investment for TDK Ventures. We look forward to working with actnano, and our co-investors, to accelerate the momentum in hastening market adoption of their revolutionary coatings."

Taymur Ahmad, CEO, actnano: "When automotive electronics, like autopilot systems, interact with water or other environmental aggressors, the consequences can be dire. There has been virtually no innovation in the protective coatings category in decades. With the explosion of self-driving and technology-laden vehicles, a better solution was needed. Hence, this sparked the genesis of our nanomaterial coating technology. I am delighted TDK Ventures has joined our Series B financing. TDK's ethos of contributing to society in supporting entrepreneurs, who – like actnano – are dedicated to making the world a better place speaks very highly of them."

The $21.75 million Series B financing round was led by BMW i Ventures with participation from TDK Ventures, Hella Ventures, Emerald Technology Ventures, GC Ventures America, Henkel Tech Ventures, Ireon Ventures and Material Impact, who offer unique value to the growth of actnano.

www.tdk-ventures.com
www.actnano.com