Verne
Verne is a Berkeley-based cleantech startup, founded in 2020, developing a high-density, low-cost, lightweight hydrogen storage system for clean-energy and mobility applications. It is an early-stage, pre-revenue hardware venture supported by SkyDeck Berkeley and Alberta Innovates.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Verne does
Verne is a Berkeley-based cleantech startup founded in 2020 that is developing a high-density, low-cost, lightweight hydrogen storage system. The company's product targets the core infrastructure bottleneck for hydrogen adoption — safe, dense, and affordable storage — and is positioned within the broader clean-energy transition supporting fuel cell vehicles, industrial hydrogen, and potentially stationary energy applications. As an early-stage hardware venture with 11-50 employees, Verne is still in the R&D and productization phase, with no disclosed customers, pilots, or commercial revenue.
The company originated from the SkyDeck Berkeley accelerator (joined September 2020) and has subsequently attracted non-dilutive funding from Alberta Innovates ($2M, April 2024), reflecting engagement with both the Bay Area cleantech ecosystem and Canadian provincial hydrogen programs. Co-founder and COO Bav Roy is publicly identified, though no full executive team or technical leadership bench is disclosed. No patents, trademarks, certifications, or specific technical architectures have been published in available sources.
Verne's go-to-market mechanics are not yet defined: the company has no named customers, no disclosed pricing, and no public partnerships beyond the SkyDeck affiliation and Alberta Innovates grant. The strategic implication is that Verne is a pre-commercial venture whose value depends almost entirely on technology validation, IP defensibility, and the eventual ability to secure offtake agreements with mobility, industrial, or energy customers once the storage product is demonstrated at scale.
Verne firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Verne
- Website
- https://verneenergy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Verne is a Berkeley-based cleantech startup, founded in 2020, developing a high-density, low-cost, lightweight hydrogen storage system for clean-energy and mobility applications. It is an early-stage, pre-revenue hardware venture supported by SkyDeck Berkeley and Alberta Innovates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Verne industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hydrogen Storage Systems
- NAICS
- Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336), Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing (333618)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems) (IMAGAHAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) Storage & Cryogenic Tank Systems (EUAFAEAB)
Keywords
Where Verne is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Verne business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Robotaxi Fleet Operations: Verne owns and operates a fleet of autonomous robotaxis, integrating with Uber's ride-hailing platform to provide commercial robotaxi services to end consumers in Zagreb, Croatia. Revenue is generated through fare-charging rides, with Verne handling fleet ownership and operational management.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard robotaxi fare-based service |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Verne product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Verne is a cleantech startup pioneering a new high-density, low-cost, and lightweight hydrogen storage system. The company develops hardware designed to make hydrogen a more practical energy carrier by addressing the storage density, weight, and cost challenges that have constrained adoption. The product is targeted at industrial, mobility, and clean energy applications that require efficient hydrogen containment.
Product overview
Verne is a Croatian robotaxi fleet operator that partnered with autonomous driving technology provider Pony.ai and ride-hailing platform Uber to launch Europe's first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb. Verne serves as the fleet owner and manages day-to-day operations of the autonomous vehicle service. The service was initially operational in key districts of Zagreb, covering approximately 90 square kilometers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- High-Density Lightweight Hydrogen Storage System A high-density, low-cost, and lightweight hydrogen storage system designed for industrial, mobility, and clean energy customers that need to contain hydrogen efficiently. Targets use cases where conventional hydrogen tanks are too heavy, too bulky, or too expensive to deploy at scale.
Companies that use Verne
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Verne technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Verne partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Pony.aicorePony.ai supplies the autonomous driving technology for Verne's robotaxi fleet. The partnership enables Verne to operate commercial autonomous vehicles using Pony.ai's autonomous driving system. This is a core technology partnership essential to the robotaxi service operation.
- Uber TechnologiescoreUber integrates Verne's robotaxi service into its global ride-hailing platform, providing customer access, booking infrastructure, and payment processing. Uber is also investing in Verne as a strategic partner, combining platform distribution with capital investment to support fleet scaling across European cities.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Verne competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hexagon Purus: Listed hydrogen storage and mobility company specializing in Type IV composite tanks for trucks and buses. Comparable to Verne as a hydrogen tank/storage supplier addressing mobility end-markets.
- Nel ASA: Norwegian hydrogen technology company producing electrolyzers and fueling/storage solutions. Comparable to Verne as part of the broader venture-backed hydrogen infrastructure ecosystem.
- Chart Industries: Established cryogenic equipment manufacturer with significant hydrogen and LH2 storage product lines. Comparable to Verne as a provider of hydrogen storage infrastructure, albeit at a much larger scale and with broader industrial gas exposure.
- ITM Power: UK-listed PEM electrolyzer and hydrogen equipment company. Comparable to Verne as a publicly recognized hydrogen infrastructure equipment developer serving mobility and industrial customers.
- Linde: Global industrial gases major with extensive hydrogen production, liquefaction, and storage operations. Comparable to Verne as a hydrogen storage incumbent that Verne's technology would either complement or disrupt.
- Air Liquide: Global industrial gases company with significant hydrogen logistics, storage, and fueling infrastructure. Comparable to Verne as a major incumbent in the hydrogen storage and distribution value chain.
Direct peers
- Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies: German startup commercializing LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier) hydrogen storage technology. Directly comparable to Verne as a venture-backed hydrogen storage technology specialist targeting industrial and mobility applications.
- H2 Storage Solutions: Norwegian company developing solid-state metal hydride hydrogen storage systems. Comparable to Verne as a technology-focused hydrogen storage developer targeting mobility and stationary applications.
- Cella Mineral Storage: US-based startup developing mineral-based solid-state hydrogen storage. Comparable to Verne as a venture-backed storage technology company pursuing high-density, low-pressure hydrogen storage solutions.
Emerging players
- H2GO Power: UK-based startup developing solid-state hydrogen storage for mobility and off-grid applications. Comparable to Verne as an early-stage hydrogen storage technology specialist pursuing similar end markets.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Verne social profiles
Digital presenceVerne financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Verne leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Verne funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Verne M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Verne
What does Verne do?
Verne is a cleantech startup pioneering a new high-density, low-cost, and lightweight hydrogen storage system. The company develops hardware designed to make hydrogen a more practical energy carrier by addressing the storage density, weight, and cost challenges that have constrained adoption. The product is targeted at industrial, mobility, and clean energy applications that require efficient hydrogen containment.
Is Verne a public or private company?
Verne is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Verne founded?
Verne was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Verne based?
Verne is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does Verne make money?
One revenue line is on record: robotaxi Fleet Operations.
Who are Verne's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hexagon Purus, Nel ASA, Chart Industries, ITM Power, Linde and Air Liquide. Direct peers are Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, H2 Storage Solutions and Cella Mineral Storage. H2GO Power is listed as an emerging player.
Does Verne have an API?
No public API is recorded for Verne.
What industry is Verne in?
Verne's product category is Hydrogen Storage Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAHAM, Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems), with a secondary code of EUAFAEAB, Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) Storage & Cryogenic Tank Systems. Its NAICS code is 333611 and its SIC code is 3823.