ZURICH, Switzerland, March 20, 2023 — Nabtesco Technology Ventures (NTV) has invested into Colibri Energy, a maker of batteries for airport logistics vehicles. The funding round, which was joined by Emerald Technology Ventures and ABN Amro, will help the company grow its presence in airports around the world. Nabtesco Corporation (Nabtesco) and Colibri have also announced a partnership to collaborate on developing battery technology and rollout in Japan.
Germany-based Colibri makes modular, low-maintenance lithium-ion battery packs for so-called airside vehicles like forklifts and pallet handlers. It pairs these with an easy-to-use software platform that allows operators and energy managers wide-ranging visibility over their vehicles, helping them save time and money.
The global aviation industry faces immense pressure to decarbonize, and airside logistics ranks among the lowest-hanging fruit of this endeavor. Electrifying these vehicles will likely foster growth in the market for industrial batteries, potentially helping it reach $27 billion by 2027, up from $17 billion in 2019.
Colibri sells to both vehicle makers as well as directly to fleet owners like airports. Its batteries are currently found in 22 airports around the world, a figure it hopes to scale rapidly.
Switzerland-based cleantech venture capital pioneer Emerald Technology Ventures advised NTV on the deal under its unique corporate venture capital-as-a-service mandate. Under this framework, Emerald manages the investment activities of Nabtesco’s venture arm, aiming to provide the best value for collaboration with startups.
Previous energy-related investments that Emerald facilitated onNTV’s behalf include in battery materials innovator NanoGraf and wind turbine service provider eologix.
Under the Nabtesco-Colibri partnership, Colibri will support Nabtesco in developing its battery business—including hardware, management system software and maintenance services—in Japan. Nabtesco will help Colibri’s products and solutions scale among its clients in Japan.
© Colibri
About Colibri Energy
Colibri Energy is an OEM-independent developer and premium supplier of intelligent modular Lithium-Ion battery systems for industrial non-highway mobility. With an over seven year proven real life track record in the harshest environmental and operating conditions with temperatures ranging from -30°C to +55°C and humidity up to 100%, Colibri batteries stand for the highest product and service quality in the market. Manufactured in Berlin, Germany, the Colibri batteries are used at over 20 airports around the world for new vehicles and for the replacement of lead-acid batteries, especially in airport logistics and industrial trucks. They are compatible with nearly all leading vehicle brands and types as well as chargers. As a pioneer of industrial e-mobility with unique data-driven modular design, Colibri battery systems combine the reduction of resources, carbon emissions and operating costs of up to 50%. For more information, please visit www.colibri-energy.com.
About Nabtesco Technology Ventures
Nabtesco Technology Ventures is a corporate venture fund launched in 2018 by Japan’s Nabtesco Corporation, in partnership with Emerald Technology Ventures, a global leader in technology venture capital. The fund deepens Nabtesco’s involvement in the development of disruptive ventures around the world, strengthening our pursuit of open innovation, a key pillar of our company’s growth strategy. The EUR 75 million fund invests primarily, but not exclusively, in robotics, motors, sensors, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things technologies. Nabtesco Technology Ventures reinforces Nabtesco Corporation’s position as a global leader in manufacturing technology, accelerating investment and collaboration around the world. For more information, please visit nabtesco-ventures.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| Colibri Energy Maximilian Weichsberger |
+49 173 3717 242 max.weichsberger@colibri-energy.com |
| Nabtesco Technology Ventures | ntv_contact@nabtesco-ventures.com |