Exelon Expands 2c2i Portfolio with New Investments in Natrion and Blackcurrant AI

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Exelon Foundation has added two new companies to the Climate Change Investment Initiative (2c2i) portfolio—Blackcurrant AI and Natrion—each tackling different, but critical, energy innovations and positioned to scale as demand for more efficient, lower-cost energy solutions grows.

Now in its seventh year, 2c2i is continuing to invest in early-stage companies building practical solutions with both strong commercial potential and the ability to deliver meaningful climate and community impact. The program focuses on companies doing work that will benefit one or more of Exelon’s six major markets—Atlantic City, Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Wilmington—and investing in solutions that:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Boost the resiliency of urban infrastructure (e.g., the power grid, transportation systems, buildings, vacant land) against flood, stormwater and rising temperatures
• Help communities adapt to climate change
• Advance local sustainability goals

“Exelon is excited to continue growing the 2c2i portfolio with the addition of these two companies that have developed innovative climate solutions that will benefit the communities we serve,” said Sunny Elebua, Exelon’s Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer. “Helping companies scale up and bring new tools and technologies to market is critical as we work to lead the energy transformation while keeping customer bills as low as possible.”

Reimagining battery performance for electrification: Natrion

Natrion is a growing company that is developing advanced battery components designed to improve energy storage system safety, cost efficiency, and longevity.

By improving battery performance and lowering system costs, Natrion’s technology has the potential to enhance the affordability and return on investment of energy storage and electrification projects — helping make solutions like solar, electric mobility, and distributed energy systems more economically viable. Over time, these efficiencies can support lower-cost energy solutions for customers while accelerating adoption of cleaner technologies.

With a growing presence in the Chicago region, Natrion’s work supports increased solar deployment and broader adoption of electrified technologies — positioning the company to benefit from accelerating demand for safe, cost-effective battery innovation.

Modernizing energy decision-making: Blackcurrant AI

Blackcurrant AI, based in Chicago and an NVIDIA Inception company, is building a platform to simplify decisions for large energy users, who are increasingly faced with fragmented data, slow procurement processes, and complex financial tradeoffs. Its software enables companies to model and evaluate speed-to-power for AI infrastructure — from site selection and rate negotiation to fuel and equipment procurement.

As AI workloads reshape grid planning, platforms like Blackcurrant are increasingly critical and well positioned to grow. Operators are racing to stand up gigawatts of AI capacity while distinguishing viable sites from grid liabilities, and they need scalable software tools to move efficiently and make cost-effective decisions.

Applications now open

The Exelon Foundation is now accepting new applications for investment. Startups developing innovative clean energy and climate solutions are encouraged to apply through September 2026.

More information about the application and previous investees is available at exeloncorp.com/2c2i.

Exelon remains committed to investing in clean energy and sustainability-focused groups with a $20 million commitment to support innovative startups. 2c2i continues to pave the way for groundbreaking technologies that will help mitigate climate change and create a sustainable future for all.

The Exelon Foundation would like to recognize law firm sponsor, Katten, which is providing in-kind legal services in support of the 2c2i program climate investments.