EvolOH

High-Level Overview

EVOLOH is a cleantech company founded in 2020 that manufactures high-throughput electrolyzer stacks, specifically its patented Nautilus™ modules using anion exchange membrane (AEM) technology, to enable low-cost green hydrogen production at gigawatt scale.[1][2][3][4] It serves engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, hydrogen developers, and integrators in industries like energy, chemicals, and manufacturing by providing standardized stacks compatible with off-the-shelf balance-of-plant (BOP) components, solving supply shortages, high costs, and integration risks in electrolyzer manufacturing.[1][3][4] The company has raised $20M in funding led by Engine Ventures, with participation from NextEra Energy Resources and 3M Ventures, and recently tested MW-scale stacks while initiating commercial manufacturing, signaling strong growth momentum amid surging hydrogen demand.[3][5]

Origin Story

EVOLOH was founded in 2020 in Palo Alto, California (with some references to Santa Clara), by Dr. Jimmy Rojas, who holds a doctorate from Stanford in hydrogen production and energy systems.[1][2][3] Rojas identified critical limitations in existing electrolyzer technologies—such as slow manufacturing, reliance on rare earths, corrosive liquids, and vulnerable supply chains—after recognizing that supply could not meet the demand needed for hydrogen to power new industries.[2][4] Originally named Origen Hydrogen, the company rebranded to EVOLOH and quickly gained traction through its AEM-based approach using earth-abundant materials like steel, plastic, and aluminum, paired with high-speed manufacturing techniques from high-tech industries; pivotal moments include successful MW-scale testing and a $20M funding round to scale production.[1][3][5]

Core Differentiators

• High-Throughput Manufacturing: Builds the world's highest throughput electrolyzer stack factories using advanced techniques for rapid production, turning stacks into scalable commodities rather than custom "jewel boxes," potentially reducing costs by an order of magnitude to enable $1/kg hydrogen.[2][4]
• Cost and Material Efficiency: Nautilus™ stacks use AEM technology with no rare earths, precious metals, corrosive liquids, or toxic membranes; operates on intermittent power without conditioning, minimizing capex for hydrogen plants.[2][3][4]
• Integration Simplicity: Standardized design works with widely available BOP components, reducing project delays, cost overruns, engineering complexity, and supply chain risks for EPCs and developers.[1][4]
• Performance Edge: Delivers compact, high-power-density, durable stacks with 3 patents in electrochemistry, fluid dynamics, and fuel cells; recently validated at MW-scale for reliability and efficiency.[1][3]
• Domestic Supply Chains: 100% U.S.-based to avoid vulnerabilities, backed by investors like Engine Ventures and Breakthrough Energy.[2][3]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

EVOLOH rides the global green hydrogen wave, driven by net-zero goals, where electrolyzer demand far outstrips supply due to scaling bottlenecks in legacy tech like PEM and alkaline systems.[2][4] Its timing aligns with falling renewable electricity costs and policy incentives (e.g., U.S. Inflation Reduction Act), making cheap hydrogen viable for hard-to-decarbonize sectors like steel, chemicals, and heavy transport.[3] Market forces favoring it include gigawatt-scale projects requiring commoditized hardware, domestic manufacturing mandates, and the shift to AEM for lower costs without rare materials.[2][5] By enabling faster, cheaper stack production, EVOLOH influences the ecosystem as a key enabler, partnering with majors like NextEra and reducing barriers for developers to deploy at national security-relevant scales.[3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

EVOLOH is poised to capture early market share in the electrolyzer stack segment through commercial ramp-up, leveraging its $20M raise to expand factories and Nautilus capabilities amid a sales pipeline buildup.[3][5] Trends like AI-driven energy demand, hydrogen hubs, and reversible fuel cell integration will accelerate its growth, potentially evolving it from stack specialist to full manufacturing platform leader.[2][3] As supply constraints ease, EVOLOH could redefine green hydrogen accessibility, pressuring competitors and solidifying U.S. leadership—tying back to its mission of throughput factories that make clean hydrogen a reality at $1/kg.[2][4]