Phoenix Tailings

Many people don’t know that we received some of our very first funding from Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) after winning the Wolff New Venture Competition. This was the first time I had the opportunity to present the grand vision we had to a group of people. While $20,000 may not seem like a lot now at our current stage, at the time, it was life-changing. That funding gave us the chance to take the first steps on this incredible journey. In these photos you can see us winning the competition and how far along our tech was back in 2019 (… and yes, I realize I have a bit less hair now). Fast-forward six years, and I’m proud to be back at the competition, this time helping to showcase what we’ve achieved and offering my support to the next generation of visionary founders who want to change the world. If you’re part of the ecosystem, come check it out! Jennifer Mathieu Mike Martin Gary Wolff Gregory Wolff Michelle Cote Alice Nichols Phoenix Tailings Michelle Chao Anthony Balladon Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #WolffNewVenture #TechInnovation

Many people don’t know that we received some of our very first funding from Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) after winning the Wolff New Venture Competition. This was the first time I had the opportunity to present the grand vision we had to a group of people. While $20,000 may not seem like a lot now at our current stage, at the time, it was life-changing. That funding gave us the chance to take the first steps on this incredible journey. In these photos you can see us winning the competition and how far along our tech was back in 2019 (… and yes, I realize I have a bit less hair now). Fast-forward six years, and I’m proud to be back at the competition, this time helping to showcase what we’ve achieved and offering my support to the next generation of visionary founders who want to change the world. If you’re part of the ecosystem, come check it out! Jennifer Mathieu Mike Martin Gary Wolff Gregory Wolff Michelle Cote Alice Nichols Phoenix Tailings Michelle Chao Anthony Balladon Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #WolffNewVenture #TechInnovation

Rare Earth Metals: The Hidden Backbone of Medical Technology When we talk about rare earths, we often discuss their relevance to the energy transition. With NY Climate Week coming up, we will dive deeper into that. However, just as important is the role of rare earth metals in our healthcare system. From MRI machines to portable X-ray units, rare earth metals such as Neodymium, Terbium, and Dysprosium play a crucial role in the healthcare technologies that save lives every day. Here are a few key ways rare earths power medical innovation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Neodymium-based magnets are used in MRI machines to create the strong magnetic fields needed for high-resolution imaging, enabling precise diagnosis of conditions such as tumors and neurological disorders. Portable X-ray Machines: Rare earth phosphors, like those derived from Terbium, improve the efficiency of X-ray systems, making portable devices possible and enhancing the quality of medical imaging. Pacemakers & Hearing Aids: The miniaturization and performance of life-saving devices like pacemakers and hearing aids depend on powerful magnets that rare earth metals enable. Their strength allows these devices to be smaller and more efficient without compromising effectiveness. Laser Surgery: Yttrium, one of the rare earth elements, is used in certain lasers for delicate surgeries such as eye and skin procedures, providing doctors with precision tools to treat patients effectively. As the medical field continues to advance, the demand for rare earth metals will only increase. Ensuring sustainable and responsible sourcing of these critical elements is essential not just for the tech world but for healthcare, where lives depend on these technologies. By creating clean rare earth metals, we can significantly improve access to life-saving technologies while reducing the environmental impact of their production. The future of healthcare depends on both innovation and sustainability. #RareEarthMetals #HealthTech #MedTechInnovation #VentureCapital #InvestingInHealthcare #TechInvestments #SustainableTech #FutureOfHealthcare

I have written several posts about the importance of Terbium and Dysprosium. These are the "heavy rare earths" essential for high-performance magnets that power nearly everything in our daily lives. Due to their energy costs and hazardous byproducts, these metals are notoriously hard to refine to the final metallic form. This has resulted in nearly the entire refining supply chain being isolated in China and Russia. Thanks to the hard work of the technical team at Phoenix Tailings, led by Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD, we are proud to be producing these metals right here in Boston, MA! https://lnkd.in/g7nm2A7E #madeinamerica #onshoring #cleanteach #energytransition

Ok, I’ll admit.. this was pretty cool! So glad I was able to give voice to the importance of critical metals for the energy transition. A big thank you to Nicholas Myers , Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD and Anthony Balladon for being on this crazy journey with me! I couldn’t ask for better partners to build Phoenix Tailings with!

You know... I find it odd that when people talk about startups, they never really talk about the people who make this crazy journey worth it. Michelle Chao is one of those bright lights who makes this whole adventure worth it and possible. She works through the toughest challenges and always pushes the people around her to be the best. I could not be more proud of her for representing Phoenix Tailings and the Critical Metals industry to the United States Secretary of Energy, Hon. Jennifer Granholm. No one can better convey the challenges startups face and the need to solve this national security issue. Watch the discussion she had here! Way to go, Michelle! https://lnkd.in/g4brNxXQ #arpae #DOE #Cleantech #EnergyTransition ARPA-E

People are the lifeblood of a startup company looking to change the world. To actually change the world, we have to bring on the best and the brightest to our team. Phoenix Tailings is kicking off a new Leadership Development Program that trains high-performing individuals to be the company's executives in the future! This rigorous 12-month program consists of day-to-day hands-on work building the production of domestic critical metals, executive training, and customized career growth trajectory support. All of this is done with a cohort of highly passionate people alongside you. Openings are in Engineering, Research, Finance, and Operations. Together, we can make a difference. Send me or Michelle Chao a note if you are interested! More details to come!

With the critical minerals market in the spotlight, the history and control of rare-earth magnets is highly relevant. Their evolution from US innovation to Chinese dominance exposes significant supply chain risks and geopolitical implications. Historical Background:  In the early 1980s, General Motors (US) and Sumitomo (Japan) independently developed neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets. Project leaders John Croat and Masato Sagawa announced their findings simultaneously in 1983 at a conference in Pittsburgh. These magnets quickly became essential due to their unmatched strength and efficiency, replacing the previously used and costly samarium-cobalt magnets. NdFeB magnets were initially used in electric motors, generators, and hard-disk drives, revolutionizing these technologies. Technological Evolution:  Over time, the applications of NdFeB magnets expanded to include consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems like wind turbines. Their ability to enhance performance while reducing size and weight has driven widespread adoption and innovation across multiple industries. Shift in Global Production:  While the US and Japan led the initial development, production has dramatically shifted to China over the past few decades. China now controls about 85% of the global supply, thanks to lower labor costs, less stringent environmental regulations, and substantial state subsidies. This dominance poses significant risks to global supply chains. Supply Chain Risks:  China’s near-monopoly on rare earth production exposes the world to several supply chain risks: - Geopolitical Tensions: Any geopolitical conflict involving China could disrupt the supply of rare earth elements, affecting numerous industries globally. Environmental Regulations: Stricter laws in China could reduce production, leading to global supply shortages and price spikes. - Economic Policies: Trade restrictions or tariffs imposed by China could further strain global supply chains. - Future Prospects: As technology advances, the demand for NdFeB magnets is expected to rise, particularly in renewable energy and electric vehicles. Innovations in recycling and alternative materials could help meet this demand without significant price volatility. Geopolitical shifts and strategic investments by other nations aim to create a more diversified and resilient supply chain. Rare-earth magnets continue to shape our technological landscape, driving growth and innovation across multiple industries. However, the concentration of production in China exposes global supply chains to significant risks. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing future strategies in technology and supply chain management. #Technology #Innovation #SupplyChain #RareEarthMagnets #RenewableEnergy #ConsumerElectronics #MedicalDevices #USChinaRelations Ross Leav Hiroshi Tomogae

Alarming news out of China as they take initial steps to lock down rare earth metals, essential in various aspects of American life from energy to weapons systems. Developing diverse, sustainable supplies globally is crucial. At Phoenix, we aim to support critical technologies by supplying clean, domestic rare earth metals. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gaKVvfKn #sustainability #criticalminerals #cleantech #defense

The new tariffs on Chinese imports, including permanent magnets, EV batteries, semiconductors, and various critical minerals, are a major shift in U.S. trade policy. As a result, domestic production of these essential resources must be a primary focus for the nation moving forward. This shift will boost the growing U.S. rare earth industry, which is essential to the clean-tech sector and our collective transition to renewable energy. It will also attract investment to drive growth in the domestic rare earth market. This is not only good for the U.S. economy, but also strengthens national security by enhancing supply chain resilience for these critical materials. This development emphasizes the importance of our work at Phoenix Tailings in establishing safe, clean, and sustainable domestic rare earth metal supply channels, which can power American innovation in building a greener future. We look forward to further policy decisions to support the growth of U.S. critical material manufacturing and lessen our dependence on single-source supply chains.