Technology

Alternō Raises Series A Funding to Scale Sustainable Heat Technology for a Zero-Emission Future

Published

1 year ago

May 13, 2025

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Alternō, a climate-tech startup founded in 2023, has closed its Series A funding round to accelerate the deployment of its sustainable heat technology and support its mission to eliminate 100 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually by 2030. By building the next generation of clean energy infrastructure—delivering heat, electricity, and AI-powered energy management—Alternō aims to redefine how the world powers its factories, farms, and communities.

The round was led by UntroD Capital Asia, with participation from ADB Ventures, the venture arm of the Asian Development Bank—a testament to growing investor confidence in scalable climate solutions for hard-to-abate sectors. The company’s growth to date has been supported by early institutional backing from Antler, which played a pivotal role in Alternō’s initial development.

Pioneering Clean Heat Through Thermal Energy Storage

Alternō’s patented thermal energy storage system—known as a sand battery—utilizes locally available, low-cost materials like sand to store heat at temperatures up to 600°C, with minimal thermal loss and zero emissions during operation. While sand has a moderate heat capacity (~300 kcal/m³•°C), its exceptional thermal stability and ultra-low cost make it one of the most practical and scalable materials for high-temperature heat storage. As illustrated in comparative studies of sensible heat storage materials, sand offers an ideal balance between performance and affordability, outperforming more expensive options like copper, aluminum, or steel when it comes to cost-effectiveness per unit of stored energy. This positions Alternō’s solution as a high-efficiency, low-cost pathway to industrial decarbonization, particularly in emerging markets where clean heat alternatives remain scarce or economically unfeasible.

Alternō’s technology has already proven effective in industrial drying and agro-processing applications in Vietnam, where it has reduced fossil fuel dependency, lowered energy costs, and improved both output consistency and product quality. Clients include leading domestic and international companies such as PepsiCo, Mondelez, and a network of cooperatives and manufacturers across Vietnam.

Hai Ho, Co-Founder & CEO, stated:

“This funding marks a pivotal milestone for Alternō. With the support of ADB Ventures and UntroD, we’re accelerating our efforts to bring large-scale, cost-effective decarbonization to industrial sectors. This isn’t just another battery—it’s a revolution in how we generate and use industrial heat, starting from something as simple as sand.”

Next-Generation Product Lineup

With the support of its latest funding, Alternō is expanding its portfolio to serve both factory and community-scale energy needs:

Alternō One – A compact thermal battery that delivers clean heat to off-grid homes and remote communities. Successfully piloted in Lâm Đồng, Vietnam, the system is now preparing for initial deployment in Mongolia, where it will help combat extreme winter air pollution and improve energy access.Alternō Hybrid – The world’s first modular thermal battery integrating electric and biomass heating. Designed for 24/7 heat supply in rural agro-processing, it enables farmers to repurpose organic waste into energy. This solution is poised to revolutionize agricultural drying practices across Vietnam.

All systems are IoT-connected, AI-optimized, and remotely monitored by Alternō’s in-house R&D team, ensuring peak performance, operational transparency, and continuous improvement.

Strategic Growth and Global Recognition

To make its technology broadly accessible, the company offers flexible financial models, including Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS)—enabling clients to decarbonize without heavy upfront capital investment. Alternō is also in co-development discussions with major international partners including Honda and Marubeni, further underscoring its global potential.

The company has also gained significant global recognition, winning the 2024 PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator for Asia-Pacific and placing Top 2 globally at the Startup World Cup. These accolades highlight both the technological maturity and commercial viability of Alternō’s solutions.

About Alternō

Alternō is a climate-tech startup based in Singapore with R&D and manufacturing in Vietnam. The company develops sand-based thermal battery systems that deliver high-temperature, zero-emission heat for industrial and agricultural applications. Founded in 2023, Alternō aims to accelerate the energy transition in hard-to-abate sectors across Asia and beyond, with a long-term goal of reducing 100 million tons of CO₂ annually by 2030.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Alternō
race2zero@alterno.net
www.alterno.net

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SOURCE Alternō

Technology

Alcott HR Appoints Michael Pascucci as Director of Strategic Projects

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

FARMINGDALE, N.Y., June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alcott HR announces Michael Pascucci as Director of Strategic Projects. Michael brings over ten years of experience in HR operations and project management.

Before joining Alcott HR, he held senior roles leading technology upgrades and launching new employee benefits programs. This experience supports Alcott’s initiatives, helping the company grow while putting clients first.

As Director, Michael drives operational excellence at Alcott HR by leading strategic projects. He maintains processes to ensure Alcott stays flexible and personalized during growth. Michael focuses on projects that further enhance client support.

Improving Data Accuracy: Michael connects Alcott’s main systems with partners. Automating these connections streamlines onboarding and enrollment, ensuring benefits and payroll are accurate and secure. This gives clients confidence their information is in good hands.

Creating a Seamless Client Experience: Michael is improving how Alcott manages projects and client renewals. With consistency in these processes, Alcott delivers a seamless, dependable experience, especially during year-end reporting and enrollment.

Building for Growth: By replacing manual tasks with digital solutions, Michael helps Alcott grow with its clients. This allows the team to focus on building relationships and offering expert HR guidance to help clients achieve their goals.

“Michael doesn’t just manage projects, he builds systems that help our team excel,” said Kristen Bartolotta, Sr. Director of Operations at Alcott HR. “His ability to transform complex processes into streamlined solutions has improved our efficiency and enhanced our client service.”

“Working with the talented Alcott team has been a great experience,” said Michael Pascucci. “I’m excited to continue working across departments to improve our processes, boost efficiency, and help the company keep growing.”

Through these efforts, Michael helps Alcott deliver even greater value to clients by driving innovation, strengthening relationships, and ensuring every organization can reach its potential.

About Alcott HR: Alcott HR is an IRS Certified* and ESAC Accredited, Professional Employer Organization that provides a comprehensive range of human resources solutions to small and mid-sized businesses. With nearly four decades of experience, Alcott HR offers customized services that allow businesses to manage their workforce more effectively while staying compliant with state and federal regulations. Their services include payroll, benefits, risk management, and HR support, designed to help businesses grow and succeed.

The IRS does not endorse any particular certified professional employer organization.

Media Contact:
Sarah Zulawski
Marketing Specialist
szulawski@alcotthr.com
(716) 241-8893

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SOURCE Alcott HR

Technology

Alcott HR Appoints Michael Pascucci as Director of Strategic Projects

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Through these efforts, Michael helps Alcott deliver even greater value to clients by driving innovation, strengthening relationships, and ensuring every organization can reach its potential.

The IRS does not endorse any particular certified professional employer organization.

Media Contact:
Sarah Zulawski
Marketing Specialist
szulawski@alcotthr.com
(716) 241-8893

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alcott-hr-appoints-michael-pascucci-as-director-of-strategic-projects-302805721.html

SOURCE Alcott HR

Technology

Vaultzy and Miracle University Pilot Demonstrates AI-Powered Document Management for Students. Expansion Planned for California Foster Youth Programs

Published

4 hours ago

June 19, 2026

A successful student pilot demonstrates how secure digital records and AI guidance can help them access education, employment, housing, and life opportunities

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Vaultzy, an AI-powered document management and life assistant platform, today announced the successful completion of a pilot with Miracle University, demonstrating how secure digital records and intelligent guidance can help students overcome barriers to education, employment, and economic mobility.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, noted, “Never expired. Never lost. Your vital documents, all in one secure place.”

For many students, particularly those facing economic hardship or life disruptions, lost identification, unavailable transcripts, and scattered paperwork can delay enrollment, employment, housing applications, financial aid, and access to public services. Vaultzy was created to address this challenge by providing a secure, user-controlled platform for lifelong document management.

Beyond document storage, Vaultzy recently launched the first version of its AI-powered Life Agent. The platform allows users to interact with their personal records and receive guidance related to major life transitions. By understanding what documents a user has available, the Life Agent can help identify requirements and next steps for education, employment, healthcare, government services, financial planning, and other important milestones.

The pilot was conducted in partnership with Miracle University, a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students who have left the traditional education system earn their high school diplomas and achieve academic and career success. The initiative focused on helping students digitize, organize, and securely manage their most important records while introducing them to emerging technologies that can support their long-term success.

“Our mission is to help students overcome barriers and unlock their full potential,” said Dr. Kadhir Raja, Founder of Miracle University. “Students need access to their documents, confidence in managing important life transitions, and guidance on what comes next. Vaultzy helps bring all of these together, empowering students to navigate education, employment, housing, and other life opportunities with greater confidence and independence.”

The pilot demonstrated the importance of giving individuals lifelong access to trusted records while providing the tools and guidance needed to use them effectively. As California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, noted, “Never expired. Never lost. Your vital documents, all in one secure place.”

Looking ahead, Vaultzy plans to continue expanding its AI-powered capabilities. “We envision a future where every individual has a trusted AI companion that not only safeguards their records but also helps guide them through life’s most important transitions,” said Avanti Ramraj, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Vaultzy.

The success of the Miracle University pilot is helping inform broader discussions with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, and public-sector leaders interested in modernizing how individuals manage and access trusted records while receiving guidance through important life transitions. One of the most promising opportunities is the potential application of Vaultzy within programs serving foster youth, seniors, and other underserved populations.

About Vaultzy

Vaultzy is an AI-powered document management and life assistant platform that helps individuals securely store, manage, and share important records throughout their lives. Combining secure document management, document intelligence, multilingual assistance, and agentic AI capabilities, Vaultzy is building the infrastructure for lifelong document ownership and trusted digital identity.

About Miracle University

Miracle University is a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students overcome educational barriers and achieve academic, personal, and professional success. Through mentorship, education, and community support, Miracle University equips students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to transform their futures.

Media Contact
Anupriya Ramraj, Vaultzy, 1 510-255-0657, contact@vaultzy.ai, www.vaultzy.ai

Twitter, LinkedIn

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SOURCE Vaultzy