Our Next Energy (ONE) Raises $300 Million in Series B Equity, Valuing the Company at Over $1 Billion

Rhea-AI Summary

Our Next Energy Inc. (ONE), based in Michigan, has successfully closed a $300 million Series B fundraising at a post-money valuation of $1.2 billion. Led by Fifth Wall and Franklin Templeton, this round also includes $220 million in state grants, totaling over $500 million to support the construction of ONE's battery cell factory. The company has secured ten customer agreements for a total of 36 GWh over five years and is advancing plans for additional factory investments ahead of schedule. CEO Mujeeb Ijaz highlighted this milestone as crucial for scaling up U.S.-based cell manufacturing, aligning with the urgent demand driven by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Positive

• Secured $300 million in Series B funding, valuing the company at $1.2 billion.
• Total funding including state grants exceeds $500 million for battery cell factory.
• Signed ten customer agreements totaling 36 GWh over the next five years.

Negative

• None.

• ONE's Series B was led by Fifth Wall and Franklin Templeton and marks a fundraising transition from venture to growth equity investors.
• The $300 million of equity financing is joined with $220 million in grants from the state of Michigan for a total of more than $500 million to fund ONE's battery cell factory.
• ONE has signed ten customer agreements for its products, totaling 36 GWh over the next five years, and is further preparing for phase two factory investments ahead of plan.

NOVI, Mich., Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Our Next Energy Inc. (ONE), a Michigan-based energy storage technology company, today announced it has closed a $300 million Series B capital raise at a post-money valuation of $1.2 billion. 

The round was led by Fifth Wall and Franklin Templeton, and joined by ONE's Series A investors and new growth equity investors Temasek, Riverstone Holdings and Coatue. Two undisclosed strategic investors also participated in this round, including a manufacturer of EV technology solutions and a renewable energy provider, representing cell offtake agreements. Two new venture equity investors, AI Capital Partners (Alpha Intelligence Capital's U.S.-based fund) and Sente Ventures (in conjunction with TR.PE), also participated in the round.

"Closing this fundraising round is an important milestone for ONE as we focus on launching our first LFP cell factory in 2024," said Mujeeb Ijaz, CEO & Founder of ONE. "We are transitioning from a startup funded by venture capital to a manufacturer fueled by growth capital. That's important in this environment where urgent demand for U.S. based cell manufacturing is on the rise, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, in a true public-private partnership."

ONE Circle is the company's first battery cell factory. Located in Van Buren Township, Michigan, the factory's exterior construction was completed in December 2022. 

"Batteries are a fundamental component of the global energy transition economy," said Peter Gajdoš, Partner & Co-Head of The Climate Technology Investment Team at Fifth Wall. "ONE is firmly at the forefront of driving this systemic shift. We believe ONE's next-generation mobility and stationary storage applications are a game changer and are set to transform the $100B+ battery market. We're thrilled to be a part of the company's category-defining growth."

In conjunction with Franklin Templeton's investment in ONE's Series B, Richard Piliero, a Managing Director at Franklin Templeton, will join ONE's Board of Directors. Piliero has more than 23 years of private equity experience.

ONE closed a $62.5 million convertible note in January 2022 as part of the Series B. The note was led by BMW i Ventures and joined by Assembly Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Coatue, Flex [NASDAQ: FLEX] and Volta Energy Technologies.

About Our Next Energy
Our Next Energy Inc. (ONE) is a Michigan-based energy storage technology company focused on engineering batteries that will accelerate electrification. ONE's vision is to: Double the range of electric vehicles; use safer, more sustainable raw materials; and establish a localized supply chain. Visit one.ai to learn more.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/our-next-energy-one-raises-300-million-in-series-b-equity-valuing-the-company-at-over-1-billion-301735704.html

SOURCE Our Next Energy Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of ONE's $300 million Series B funding?

ONE's $300 million Series B funding marks a transition from venture to growth equity investors, facilitating the launch of their first battery cell factory.

How much total funding has ONE raised for its battery cell factory?

ONE has raised over $500 million, including $300 million in Series B funding and $220 million in state grants.

What is the expected production capacity from ONE's customer agreements?

ONE's customer agreements total 36 GWh over the next five years.

When is ONE's first battery cell factory expected to launch?

ONE plans to launch its first LFP cell factory in 2024.

Which investors led the Series B funding for ONE?

The Series B funding was led by Fifth Wall and Franklin Templeton.