Fourier- Why We Invested

In aviation, it plays a pivotal role in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and power-to-liquid synthesis, creating cleaner alternatives to fossil-based jet fuels. In aerospace, liquid hydrogen powers cryogenic rocket engines, powering missions from NASA’s SLS to SpaceX’s Starship. Meanwhile, in industrial manufacturing, hydrogen serves as a critical shielding gas in additive manufacturing, enabling the precision and material strength required for cutting-edge aerospace and defense applications. However, hydrogen is notoriously difficult to transport. As the lightest element in existence, it requires extreme compression or cryogenic liquefaction, making transportation hazardous, inefficient, and prohibitively expensive—often adding 7-10x the production cost. Yet, the majority of hydrogen used today is transported hydrogen and can cost $7-$25 per kilogram, limiting its use to these specialty applications. Hydrogen also represents one of the most promising pathways toward decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, heavy transportation, and industrial manufacturing. As climate imperatives accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources, hydrogen stands out for its versatility and potential, yet its transformative power remains locked behind prohibitive economics. This is precisely why we invested in Fourier. The most promising technologies don't just solve today's problems; they create entirely new possibilities. Sometimes, it takes a fresh perspective to turn an industry's challenges on their head. Siva Yellamraju and Ali-Amir Aldan, both engineers with a track record of building and scaling software businesses, are taking a different approach to a field that has long been dominated by traditional hardware engineering approaches. The co-founders believe that the hydrogen revolution isn't just about better hardware – it's about intelligent systems that continuously optimize, adapt, and improve. As a result, Fourier approaches hydrogen production as a dynamic optimization problem. Their breakthrough is a Dynamic Cell Management System (DCMS), which continuously monitors and adjusts power distribution across modular electrolysis units, ensuring that each operates at peak efficiency. Fourier’s software-first approach transforms hydrogen from a centralized commodity with extreme logistical costs to a distributed, intelligent energy resource that improves over time. One of the biggest technical barriers to green hydrogen adoption today is the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Electrolysis systems require stable voltage and current, but wind and solar power fluctuate based on weather conditions and time of day. These fluctuations accelerate system degradation and decrease efficiency, making it challenging to scale hydrogen production using renewables. Fourier’s DCMS technology solves this challenge in the same way Tesla revolutionized battery management. Tesla’s Battery Management System (BMS) continuously monitors the voltage, current, and temperature of every cell in a battery pack, dynamically adjusting energy distribution to prevent degradation and extend lifespan. This approach was key to making EV batteries last longer and perform optimally despite variable charge cycles. Fourier applies a similar intelligence layer to electrolysis. Their software actively regulates power flow to match energy availability and desired output, preventing voltage spikes and balancing loads across their modular system. This has three key advantages: +Dramatically extends equipment lifespan by avoiding excessive wear from power fluctuations; +Optimizes efficiency in real-time, ensuring every kilowatt is used effectively; +Eliminates dependence on centralized hydrogen plants and costly transportation, making hydrogen production viable at the point of use. Beyond terrestrial applications, we see a huge potential for hydrogen in space. NASA and SpaceX have explored in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), where hydrogen generated on Mars could be combined with CO₂ to create methane fuel for return missions. Fourier’s modular, adaptive hydrogen production technology could play a pivotal role in off-world energy systems, where dynamic optimization and decentralized production are mission-critical. Beyond generating methane fuel, hydrogen electrolysis in space also presents an opportunity for oxygen production. Water found on the lunar or Martian surface can be split into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, providing both breathable air for astronauts and a key oxidizer for propulsion. To make electrolysis viable in space, systems must be designed for minimal human intervention and maintenance, maximizing longevity and efficiency in extreme conditions. Fourier’s modular, self-optimizing electrolysis approach could be a game-changer for off-world energy systems, ensuring reliability in harsh, resource-scarce environments. The transition to industrial decarbonization will require revolutionary energy solutions. Fourier’s unique fusion of machine learning, modular electrolysis systems, and real-time optimization gives them a structural advantage in scaling hydrogen where others have struggled. We believe this approach has the potential to reshape not just hydrogen production, but how we think about distributed energy systems more broadly. As investors focused on transformative technologies, we see in Fourier the rare combination of technical innovation, commercial strategy, and visionary thinking needed to drive meaningful change. We're proud to support their mission to make hydrogen production as intelligent, accessible, and optimized as any modern energy source—and excited to see how their work helps enable the future of flight and beyond.By Abigail Hitchcock