UbiQD: 'Best Overall Venture'
NREL's quantum dot spin-off recognised in 2023 Industry Growth Forum
Quantum dot company UbiQD, has been recognised as the ‘Best Overall Venture’ at the 2023 National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Industry Growth Forum (IGF) in Denver, US.
UbiQD’s proprietary quantum dots are prized for their efficient fluorescence and colour-tunability. This is important for applications where sunlight is being absorbed, such as in agriculture (photosynthesis) and solar energy (photovoltaics). UbiQD tailors the light spectrum for each use case, for example, enhancing red light for plants or near-IR light for solar cells.
“Vast quantities of solar power are hitting the earth every instant. An area the size of Santa Fe County receives enough energy from the sun to supply the entire planet’s electrical demand, we just need to utilise sunlight better,” said Hunter McDaniel, founder and CEO of UbiQD. “Given the amazing companies presenting, it was such an honour to come away with the top prize. I think it validates UbiQD’s growth and impact potential.”
The company’s last major financing was its Series A in 2020 that enabled investments in its UbiGro product brand for greenhouse growers. UbiQD is preparing to launch the second generation of this product, a first-of-its-kind greenhouse full cover film that embeds fluorescent quantum dots directly into the transparent roofing. The company is also advancing its growth in new markets beyond greenhouses, including utility-scale solar and building-integrated sunlight harvesting solar windows (pictured above).
