H3X, a leader in high power density electric motors, has secured $20 million in an oversubscribed Series A round. Led by CEO Jason Sylvestre, H3X made its debut in Y Combinator’s W21 batch. Alongside Sylvestre, the H3X founding team includes CTO Max Liben and COO Eric Maciolek. Zillionize considers many factors when investing in startups, but the strength and determination of the founding team is what clearly made H3X stand apart from the crowd.
Since its 2021 launch from stealth, the company has made remarkable strides. H3X’s motors, including the HPDM-30, HPDM-250, and HPDM-140, have been validated and deployed across key aerospace and defense applications. These motors are not only smaller and lighter than existing solutions, but they also offer the flexibility to be used as both motors and generators. This dual capability simplifies the integration of hybrid powertrains, a feature that is increasingly sought after in sectors looking to reduce emissions without compromising on performance.
Now, with the new funding, H3X is poised to introduce its next-generation megawatt-class motors, the HPDM-1500 and HPDM-2300, designed to power larger aircraft and marine vessels with unprecedented efficiency. H3X’s innovative approach to electric motors is reshaping industries traditionally reliant on legacy energy sources.
“We’re on an ambitious journey to become the world’s leading supplier of advanced electric motors,” said Jason Sylvestre, Co-Founder and CEO of H3X. “This funding will enable us to scale production and operations to meet the demands of our growing contract pipeline.”
H3X’s technology is already generating significant revenue, with the company aiming for profitability by 2026. The new capital will allow H3X to expand its Denver-based headquarters and bring its cutting-edge motors to market at scale, targeting applications in commercial aviation, defense, and heavy industry.
Lockheed Martin Ventures, an existing investor, highlighted the strategic importance of H3X’s innovations. “Our continued investment underscores our commitment to advancing technologies that strengthen national security and electrify multi-domain systems,” said Chris Moran, VP and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures.
As H3X continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in electric propulsion, the company is well on its way to becoming a key player in the global transition to electrification, driving deep decarbonization across multiple sectors.
Zillionize is a seed-stage investor that has backed hard-tech startups since March 2011. We seek out visionary companies led by passionate founders, and we support them for the long haul. Zillionize has invested in several unicorns and we anticipate that more of our portfolio companies will reach this milestone in the future.