Nanotechnology startup Vimano has successfully raised Rs 25 crore in a seed funding round led by Ankur Capital, signaling the first investment from the firm's recently launched third fund. The funding will facilitate Vimano in the development of ion-conductive membranes that can optimize the cost-effectiveness and performance of various clean energy systems. These systems encompass energy storage batteries and devices essential for green hydrogen production. Furthermore, Vimano intends to commence pilot projects in collaboration with strategic partners, enhance its workforce, and establish scalable manufacturing procedures for its innovative membranes. Established in 2019 by materials scientists Murari Ramkumar and Nagesh Kini, Vimano specializes in creating membranes that can revolutionize clean energy technologies by tackling cost inefficiencies and enhancing operational efficacy. Their focus areas include redox flow batteries, electrolysers for green hydrogen, and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells widely employed in diverse sectors like transportation, stationary power systems, and portable electronics. Vimano asserts that its membrane platform is instrumental in addressing critical obstacles in the energy transition, especially the exorbitant expenses associated with green hydrogen production and the scarcity of cost-effective long-duration energy storage solutions. The CEO of Vimano, Murari Ramkumar, expressed enthusiasm about the investment, stating that it would accelerate the commercialization efforts, paving the way for the widespread availability of their high-performance membranes in the market at a larger scale. Ankur Capital, known for its investments in agritech, climate, and deeptech startups, has shown confidence in Vimano's potential. Ritu Verma, the managing partner at Ankur Capital, highlighted the transformative impact of Vimano's membranes on energy storage formats, with a special emphasis on the significant growth projected for the green hydrogen sector, anticipated to expand nearly tenfold to over $60 billion by 2030. The partnership between Ankur Capital and Vimano is seen as a strategic move towards revolutionizing the clean energy landscape.