Dear Friend,

This week, tech companies have contracted a staggering 48GW of clean energy since last year, with AI data centers driving 92% of this growth and nuclear energy comprising 43% of new agreements. In mobility, Gozem's $30M Series B marks growing interest in African super apps, while Archer Aviation positions for aerial taxi commercialization in Abu Dhabi after securing nearly $2 billion in capital. Meanwhile, Honor's $10B commitment to AI devices and Physical Intelligence's decision to open-source its Pi0 robotic foundation model signal a pivotal moment where physical AI moves from laboratories to everyday applications.

Inside this digest, discover how E3 Lithium secured $4.7M in government funding for critical minerals infrastructure, Scale Energy raised €2M for decentralized battery storage, and GEODNET's $8M raise will provide centimeter-level positioning for autonomous robots. From Hyundai's new Energy Hydrogen Business Division to Viam's $30M Series C for integrating AI with physical devices, these moves demonstrate how established players are pivoting toward innovation while startups redefine possibilities. Amid uncertainty in traditional auto markets—with S&P Global projecting just 1% annual growth—these bold investments in next-generation technologies reflect a fascinating dichotomy: cautious traditional markets alongside explosive growth in transformative sectors.

Your perspective enriches this ongoing dialogue. Thank you for engaging, and may these developments inspire visionary thinking.

P.S. Which emerging physical AI application do you believe will reach commercial viability first? Reply with your thoughts—we'd love to hear your perspective.

Mobility

1. Gozem Secures $30 Million in Series B Funding
Gozem, a super app operating in Francophone Africa (Togo, Benin, Gabon, and Cameroon), secured $30 million in Series B funding led by SAS Shipping Agencies Services (MSC Group subsidiary) and Al Mada Ventures to expand vehicle financing, digital banking services, and regional presence.
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2. Archer Aviation Establishes Air Taxi Fleet in Abu Dhabi
Archer Aviation is setting up the first electric aerial vehicle manufacturing and operation in the Middle East and North Africa region, with plans for commercial flying taxi operations in Abu Dhabi, following recent capital raises totaling nearly $2 billion and deals with Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation for 100 eVTOL vehicles.
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3. Hyundai Motor Group Establishes Energy Hydrogen Business Division
Hyundai Motor Group has formed a new Energy Hydrogen Business Division to strengthen its position in the hydrogen mobility ecosystem, signaling a strategic investment in alternative transportation energy solutions.
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4. S&P Global Projects Mild Improvement in February US Auto Sales
S&P Global Mobility forecasts a mild recovery in February 2025 US auto sales with projected volume of 1.23 million units (16.1 million SAAR), up from January's 15.6 million pace, while maintaining a cautious 2025 outlook of 16.2 million units (1% annual growth) amid economic uncertainty.
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Energy Transition

1. E3 Lithium Receives $4.7 Million Government Funding
E3 Lithium secured conditional approval for $4.7 million in non-repayable funding from Canada's Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund to support preconstruction work on transportation and energy infrastructure for its Clearwater Project, which aims to produce battery-grade lithium in Alberta.
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2. US Tech Companies Contract 48GW of Clean Energy
According to S&P Global, US corporations have contracted nearly 48GW of additional clean energy since February 2024, with data center and technology companies responsible for 92% of this growth, driven by AI expansion and with nuclear energy comprising 43% of these new agreements.
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3. Scale Energy Raises $2.1 Million for Battery Storage Systems
Scale Energy, a Berlin-based industrial battery storage systems developer, secured €2 million (~$2.1 million) in an oversubscribed seed funding round to expand its operational footprint across Germany, with plans to roll out 10 GW of decentralized storage projects over the next decade.
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4. Rising Project Costs Challenge Renewable Energy Investment
A New Project Media article discusses ongoing capital-raising challenges facing the renewable energy industry as project development costs rise, particularly in the aftermath of FERC Order 2023 and increased interconnection fees, creating a "population of haves and have-nots" in grid-scale renewable development.
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5. Transition to Clean Energy May Affect Investment Dispute Resolution
An article from Alvarez & Marsal discusses how energy transition investments in emerging markets may be affected by evolving bilateral investment treaties that are moving away from the traditional "fair market value" approach to dispute resolution, potentially affecting investor security.
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Physical AI

1. Viam Raises $30 Million in Series C Funding
Viam secured $30 million in Series C funding led by Union Square Ventures, with participation from Battery Ventures and Neurone (an Italian investment group), bringing its total funding to $117 million since 2020 to expand its platform that helps companies integrate AI, data, and automation into physical devices and machines.
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2. GEODNET Secures $8 Million for High-Precision Robot Positioning
GEODNET Foundation raised $8 million in strategic funding led by Multicoin Capital with participation from ParaFi and DACM, bringing total financing to $15 million to support development of its global RTK network that provides centimeter-level positioning accuracy critical for autonomous robots, UAVs, and humanoids.
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3. China's Honor Announces $10 Billion AI Device Investment
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor unveiled plans to invest more than $10 billion over the next five years on developing AI for devices as part of "The HONOR ALPHA PLAN," which includes a three-stage strategy evolving from intelligent phones to creating a new ecosystem in the "physical AI era."
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4. Physical Intelligence Open-Sources Pi0 Robotics Foundation Model
Physical Intelligence, which previously raised over $400 million in funding, has open-sourced its Pi0 robotic foundation model capable of performing various tasks including folding laundry, cleaning tables, and scooping coffee beans, marking a significant advancement in generalist robot AI.
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Information provided by Mavka Capital. Securities are offered through Finalis Securities LLC, a member of FINRA/SIPC. Mavka Capital and Finalis Securities LLC are separate, unaffiliated entities. The information contained in this message does not constitute legal advice and should not be considered an offer to purchase or a solicitation to sell securities or any other financial instruments; it is for informational purposes only.