At WNT Ventures, we are committed to backing visionary founders solving some of the most urgent global challenges. Our latest investment in Xplora Ventures, a Wellington-based deep tech company, reflects that ethos. Xplora is building a breakthrough in thermochemical energy storage (TCES), a critical piece of the clean energy transition.
Heating and cooling account for almost half of global energy consumption. Today, these systems are often expensive, inefficient, and carbon-intensive. Xplora is tackling this head-on with a novel composite material composed of zeolite-based porous media, salts, and other functional additives. Integrated into a modular system, their technology stores thermal energy with high density and minimal performance loss, dramatically enhancing the efficiency of commercial heat pumps.
Founder and CEO Dr. Nan Yang brings a rare blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial vision. His research into sustainable materials, combined with his leadership experience across cleantech projects, uniquely positions him to lead this venture. Nan is supported by an exceptional advisory network, including world-leading experts in porous materials and reactor design. Already, global HVAC players have shown significant interest, underscoring the commercial relevance of the solution.
The opportunity is immense. The global thermal energy storage market is forecast to grow to over $15 billion by 2030, driven by renewable energy integration, grid stability, and the urgent need for resilient, low-emission heating solutions in colder climates. Xplora stands out through its combination of novel material science, scalable design, and early commercial traction.
Our investment alongside syndicate partners, will help Xplora expand its technical team, deliver pilot deployments, and prepare a clear go to market strategy. Beyond heat pumps, the technology has potential applications in industrial waste heat recovery and transportable storage, creating multiple future pathways to scale.
We believe Xplora has a clear line of sight to becoming a global leader in next-generation energy storage. At WNT, we are excited to go on this journey with Nan and his team as they pursue their mission to move energy beyond
“We were immediately struck by both Nan’s clarity of vision and the scale of the opportunity. Xplora is addressing a critical pain point in the clean energy transition - how to store heat efficiently for commercial applications. We’re thrilled to be backing Nan and the Xplora team on their journey.” Niamh Given, Investment Manager, WNT Ventures
“At Xplora, we’re on a mission to move heat beyond boundaries — across time and locations. Joining WNT Ventures gives us the strategic backing we need to turn that vision into reality, starting with scalable thermal storage that changes how we heat and cool our world.” — Dr. Nan Yang, Founder & CEO, Xplora
