About us
Materials and manufacturing have shaped the modern world for generations. At TekVentures, we believe that the next era of innovation will belong to those willing to rethink how things are made.
Founded in Rhode Island in 1924, near the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Teknor Apex has spent generations adapting to the changing needs of industry. What began as a small tire retreading business and evolved into a global materials science company by embracing change—not as a disruption, but as an opportunity.
That journey taught us a simple lesson: enduring companies are built by those willing to adapt, experiment, and continuously reinvent themselves.
That belief is what led to the creation of TekVentures—and it is the same mindset that drives the founders that we partner with today.
The next century of manufacturing will be built by founders reimagining technologies, materials, and industrial systems.
We invest in early-stage companies across materials and manufacturing, typically from Seed through Series A. More importantly, we help founders navigate the realities of scaling industrial businesses. Through the support of Teknor Apex, our portfolio companies gain access to manufacturing knowledge, scale-up experience, development capabilities, and a global network of customers, partners, and operators built over many decades of making things.
Having spent generations building industrial businesses, we understand that scaling breakthrough technologies requires more than capital alone. Experience, infrastructure, and thoughtful partnership can be just as valuable—helping founders navigate the path from pilot to production while making smart use of both time and resources.
The strongest innovations often emerge when experienced operators and ambitious founders work together. At TekVentures, we believe that new entrants are not a threat to established industry—but are instead often the catalyst that helps it evolve. Our role is to help bridge those worlds, creating partnerships built on trust, curiosity, and long-term thinking.
The future will be shaped by those bold enough to rethink how things are made. If you're building the future of materials and manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you.