Building thefrontier ofAmerican EnergyAmerican IndustryIntelligent SystemsCritical InfrastructureThe Next CenturyAmerican Energy
We build companies and back founders at the intersection of software and steel. From energy to industry to intelligent systems — we get in the trenches with the people building what matters.
Building at the frontier
We build companies and support the ecosystem of founders working where software meets steel. We also invest opportunistically where we see great thesis alignment, and get in the trenches with our partners.
Ontology is the future of software.
The winners of the post-SaaS era won't just serve industries — they'll encode how those industries work. We build platforms that map complex workflows into intelligent systems.
America is rebuilding.
The next decade belongs to the founders solving real problems: rare earths, supply chains, robotics, energy. We're here for the reindustrialization — building companies and backing the optimists leading it.
Hard problems, ambitious people.
We build from scratch when we see the opportunity, and invest at pre-seed when we find founders whose conviction matches ours. Either way, we're in the trenches.
Ontology & Workflow Platforms
Building and backing platforms that codify complex workflows into intelligent systems — the winners of the post-SaaS era.
Reindustrialization & Supply Chain
Supporting the rebuild of American manufacturing — rare earths, advanced materials, and smarter, more resilient supply chains.
Physical Intelligence & Robotics
Building and partnering with founders creating machines that understand the physical world — from industrial automation to embodied AI.
Nuclear & Energy
We’re building and backing the power infrastructure for what comes next — fusion, fission, radioisotopes.
Where we build & back
Four areas where the frontier meets the factory floor. These are the problems worth solving — and where we build companies, support ecosystems, and partner with founders.
Ontology Platforms
We build and back platforms that codify complex workflows into intelligent systems — encoding how industries actually work to win in the post-SaaS world.
Areas of InterestOur portfolio
Companies we've built from scratch and ventures we've backed. Hard problems, ambitious people, and real progress at the frontier.
Simpli
New York, NY · Ontology · 2022
The operating system for American giving. Building a physical ontology to streamline and automate the donation of $163B+ of excess inventory per year to charities in need.
Wave
Nashville, TN · Ontology · 2022
Identity ticketing platform and data layer for nightlife, built in-house by Pennington Capital. Infrastructure for targeted marketing and loyalty across the nightlife ecosystem.
Stellar Atomics
Nashville, TN · Nuclear & Energy · 2024
Transformative electrostatic fusion platform designed to maximize neutron flux for on-site radioisotope production.
Stealth — Neutron Detection
Nashville, MA · Nuclear & Energy · 2024
Solid-state neutron detection technology using proprietary micro sensors with advanced nanoparticles.
Stealth — FinTech
New York, NY · FinTech · 2023
Payments platform designed specifically for home services businesses.
Working on something that matters?
We partner with founders at pre-seed who share our thesis. If you're building at the frontier of energy, industry, or intelligent systems — we'd love to talk.
Get in touch
Building something at the frontier? Want to partner with us? We'd love to hear from you.
Headquarters
New York City, NY
team@pennington.capital
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're building something that aligns with our thesis and want a partner who gets in the trenches, we'd love to hear from you. Include the following:
- Problem you're solving and your unique approach
- Technical innovation and IP strategy
- Team background and expertise
- Market size and go-to-market strategy
- Current stage and funding needs