UNM Rainforest Innovations

Pajarito Powder, LLC, a local startup commercializing technology developed at the University of New Mexico and LANL, has received Series-B funding from Hyundai Motor Company. The company is developing advanced electrocatalysts for fuel cells and eletrolyzers. Pajarito currently manufacturer catalysts for use with proton-exchange membranes (PEM) and alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers. They also manufacture a Precious-Metal-Free catalyst for fuel cells.

See Pajarito Powder’s August 4 press release, “Hydrogen and fuel cell catalyst maker Pajarito Powder receives Series-B investment from Hyundai Motor,” reposted below and on the Pajarito Powder Website here:

Hydrogen and fuel cell catalyst maker Pajarito Powder receives Series-B investment from Hyundai Motor

Investment helps accelerate scale-up of Pajarito Powder’s advanced catalysts

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – August 4, 2021 – U.S.-based startup Pajarito Powder has received a Series-B investment from Hyundai Motor Company. The investment is intended to allow Hyundai Motor to expand its portfolio in the value chain of the hydrogen industry and strengthen the establishment of the hydrogen ecosystem.

“With one of the most successful fuel cell programs in the world, Hyundai’s investment and backing adds high-level credibility to our work and accelerates our ability to bring high performance catalyst products to the rapidly growing green-hydrogen market,” said Pajarito Powder CEO and Chairman, Thomas J. Stephenson.

“We have structured the investment to maintain our independence,” Stephenson said. “This structure allows Pajarito Powder to continue to provide its next-generation catalyst products to existing and new customers around the globe.

“With Hyundai’s support, we aim to make the vision of the hydrogen future a near-term reality” Stephenson said.

About Pajarito Powder
Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, Pajarito Powder, LLC is a world leader in the development and commercialization of advanced electrocatalysts for fuel cells and electrolyzers. Pajarito Powder manufactures a range of catalyst products using its own intellectual property as well as intellectual property licensed from the University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique. Pajarito Powder manufacturers catalysts for use with proton-exchange membranes (PEM) and alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers; it also manufactures a proprietary Precious-Metal-Free catalyst for fuel cells. Pajarito Powder materials more effectively use the platinum group metals (PGM) component of catalysts, resulting in higher performance, better stability and improved durability.

Pajarito Powder is a venture-backed startup funded by Hyundai Motor Company, Verge Fund, Omphalos Venture Partners and other private investors.

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