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Mollie Wilkinson

Investor at Orion Resource Partners

New York, New York

Overview 

Mollie Wilkinson is a Climate Tech VC at Orion Industrial Ventures in New York, focusing on critical materials supply, industrial decarbonization, and materials science. With a background in venture capital and experience at companies like SpaceX and MIT, Mollie brings a unique perspective to investing in startups in the impact, hardware, and cleantech sectors. Highlights of Mollie's career include working as a Materials Engineer at SpaceX and contributing as a Graduate Researcher at MIT Civil and Environmental Engineering, showcasing a strong foundation in both technical expertise and academic research.

Work Experience 

  • Investor

    2023 - Current

    Investing in technology companies that aim to decarbonize industry and enable an economic and sustainable supply of the minerals, materials and new energy solutions required for global growth.

  • Board Observer

    2024

    SiTration slashes the cost, resource intensity, and complexity of recovering critical materials from challenging industrial streams.

SiTration improves ultra-durable filtration membranes intended for efficient separations in the harshest environments.

Raised $14,405,996.00 from Extantia Capital, Orion Resource Partners, BHP, 2150, Azolla Ventures and The E14 Fund.

  • Graduate Researcher

    2022 - 2023

    Optimized a high-efficiency methane oxidation catalyst for long-duration stability and performance. Methane removal is one of the most promising routes for climate change mitigation, with a 45% emissions reduction by 2030 saving a full .5 °C of warming by 2100.

  • Investor

    2022 - 2022

    Evaluated frontier tech venture deals in materials, manufacturing, and sustainability on scientific and commercial bases. Assessed valuation and performed due diligence efforts. Led DEI outreach to underrepresented founders. Supported portfolio company in business development efforts.

Anzu Partners is an investment firm that invests in industrial and life science technology companies.

  • Technical Consultant

    2022 - 2022

    Supported clients by curating market maps of sustainable packaging and manufacturing solutions. Evaluated and presented circular economy technologies from development- to commercial-stage. Assessed scalability and deployability of technologies with respect to client-specific requirements and parameters.

  • Materials Engineer

    2021 - 2021

    Developed a novel formulation of a room-temperature vulcanized silicone adhesive for bonding heat shield tiles, saving upwards of $1M/year in materials costs via enabling in-house manufacturing and testing. Developed design strategy for future formulations in related applications.

SpaceX is an aviation and aerospace company that focuses on reducing the costs associated with space travel by using reusable rockets.

Raised $9,770,343,846.00 from Roman Smolevskiy.

  • Materials Engineer

    2021 - 2021

    Studied critical-point drying process for an insulating aerogel-based window panel to improve manufacturing efficiency and increase product yield. The thin, transparent panel acts as an energy-saving insulation upgrade to old and new construction, enabling reduced emissions and cost savings in heating/cooling without requiring building renovation.

  • Materials Engineer

    2020 - 2020

    Designed optical systems, selected insulation materials, and researched catalyst deactivation for a photocatalytic chemical reactor for producing zero-emissions hydrogen, methanol, and other commodity chemicals. Proposed solutions to increase energy efficiency and reaction throughput while decreasing cost.

Syzygy Plasmonics is a developer of a photocatalytic reactor designed for fuel cell vehicles and small-scale industrial applications.

Raised $105,985,436.00 from Zeon Ventures.

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