Test new hardwareon your terms.
Utilities, cooperatives, water districts, farms, test labs, universities, equipment makers, energy producers, mines and industrial plants need better hardware but cannot take unlimited risk on young suppliers. Our programs make that first step safer and simpler.
I. Host a pilot
Your site. Your rules.
One agreement, many pilots
You sign one master pilot agreement with Dark Ice Ventures. Each pilot then uses a short schedule on terms you have already approved.
You choose
You decide which pilots to accept, set your site rules and can stop any pilot for safety at any time.
Insurance
Each company carries its own insurance and names you as an additional insured.
No cost to you
Companies pay their own pilot costs, and pay any host fee agreed in the schedule.
First look at buying
If a pilot succeeds, you may negotiate a first purchase. You are never obliged to buy.
What you do not get
No equity and no exclusivity. Our funds are not parties to pilot agreements and do not guarantee any company.
II. Warranties backed by an insurer
The insurer stands behind it.
Where a company qualifies and the insurer agrees, its performance warranty to you is backed by an insurance policy. You receive a certificate of insurance and a plain summary of how to claim.
How warranties work
III. Investing as a buyer
Strategic limited partners.
Some buyers of this hardware may choose to invest in our funds as limited partners. They get no extra information rights, no say in investment decisions and no rights over portfolio companies.
Investor accessIV. Talk to us
Host sites and buyers.
No cost to you. No obligation to buy.
This goes to
{{route}}Step 01 of 05Organization
What kind of organization are you?
Step 02 of 05Interest
What would you like to do?
Step 03 of 05Your site
Tell us about your site, or what you need.
Location, equipment, constraints, timing. Whatever helps.
Step 04 of 05Contact
Who should we speak with?
Step 05 of 05Review
Check it, then send.
Inquiry received.
Thank you. Our commercialization team replies to every inquiry.
What happens next
We learn about your site and your rules.
We share our master pilot agreement for your review.
Pilots start only when you accept them.