Upfront Ventures

Critical Energy, founded by ex-SpaceX engineer Spencer Jackson, specializes in the design and mass production of modular geothermal turbines. These turbines are built in factories and utilize a closed-loop fluid system to convert heat into electricity. The company aims to reduce the deployment time of geothermal systems from years to weeks, addressing the reliability issues of clean energy sources. By focusing on surface equipment and turbines, Critical Energy seeks to support the wider geothermal industry rather than compete with underground drillers.

Vertically-integrated space technology company building laser communications ground stations, optical sensing systems, and in-space imaging payloads. Headquartered in Los Angeles with a 57-acre manufacturing campus in Adrian, Michigan, the company supplies NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and commercial satellite operators.