Energy Innovation Goes to the Capitol
Last month, Launch Alaska made its annual advocacy trip to our state capital, Juneau, joined by representatives from two of our portfolio companies - Mike Eros from Sage Geosystems and Arpit Dwivedi from Cache Energy. Launch Alaska CEO Isaac Vanderburg and I were thrilled to be able to bring entrepreneurs to the halls of the Capitol, with the goal of spreading the excitement we have for energy innovation in Alaska to policymakers.
Above: Sage Geosystems Chief Geoscientist Mike Eros meets with Anchorage Sen. Cathy Giessel.
The two technologies we highlighted are game changers for energy storage, addressing a critical challenge in both urban and rural Alaska: meeting the heating and electricity needs of Alaska with renewable energy year-round while reducing costs. That’s where energy storage comes in, and each of these companies brings a unique and innovative solution.
Cache Energy, based in Illinois, offers a long-duration energy storage solution that is non-toxic, non-flammable, easily sourced, and transportable. It provides both heat and power when wind, solar, or hydroelectric energy isn’t available—and remains usable for months afterward, hence the term “long-duration.” This is crucial in Alaska, where solar and other energy resources are lower in winter, yet heating and electricity demands are high.
Sage Geosystems, founded by former oil and gas workers in Texas, offers two solutions: pumped water in underground wells for energy storage and geothermal power generation from hot, dry rock “geopressured” wells. Their technology enables renewable energy from wind and solar to be stored and deployed seamlessly during off-peak periods, such as nighttime or spring.
Mike Eros, Sage Geosystems’ Chief Geoscientist noted that on the trip to Juneau, “Sage Geosystems’ solutions harnessing existing Alaska oil and gas workers’ expertise to deliver energy storage and geothermal energy were welcomed across political parties and in different regions. The need for affordable energy in Alaska is driving new interest in practical and scalable energy from the village to Railbelt scale.”
Introducing these technologies allowed us to reframe the conversation in Juneau. While limited state funds can lead to budget shortfalls and a scarcity mindset, at Launch Alaska we believe innovation and technology deployment can be transformative for Alaska’s economy and future.
Above: Cache Energy CEO Arpit Dwivedi meets with Anchorage Rep. Genevieve Mina and staff.
During our three days in Juneau, we met with over 20 legislators and presented to the Senate Resources Committee and the House Energy Special Committee, sharing Cache Energy and Sage Geosystems’ innovations and their strong interest in doing business in Alaska.
This trip marked the first time Launch Alaska brought portfolio companies along for a state legislative advocacy visit—and it won’t be the last. Lawmakers told us that our meetings were “the greatest part of my day,” and “the best type of meetings I get to have as a legislator.”
"It was great to see the excitement and appreciation legislators had for our technology to make Alaska energy resilient and independent,” said Cache Energy founder Arpit Dwivedi.
There was a buzz in the Capitol that week, as legislators and staff stopped us in the halls to ask questions. The optimism around deploying energy solutions today—rather than waiting decades and spending millions—was palpable. And it wasn’t just the policymakers learning. Both Dwivedi and Eros gained valuable insights into Alaska’s policies, regulations, decision-making processes, and energy needs.
Even amid shifting global and national landscapes, the two companies that joined us brought enthusiasm and a positive outlook on meeting Alaska’s energy needs. And they are just two of 41 companies in Launch Alaska’s portfolio generating similar interest and excitement.
The successful presentations before the Senate Resources Committee and House Energy Special Committee sparked important conversations among policymakers and potential customers. We look forward to seeing those conversations bear fruit—not just for these two companies, but for all energy, transportation, and industrial technology innovations. That’s at the heart of our work at Launch Alaska: building connections and accelerating technologies that bring real benefits to Alaskans.
Above: Launch Alaska Chief Policy & Partnerships Officer Penny Gage, Cache Energy Founder and CEO Arpit Dwivedi, Anchorage Rep. Calvin Schrage, Sage Geosystems’ Chief Geoscientist Mike Eros, and Launch Alaska CEO Isaac Vanderburg.