About COnovate
A university discovery, carried all the way to the production line.
COnovate was formed in late 2016, as SafeLi, to commercialize graphene monoxide: the first form of carbon monoxide known to be solid at atmospheric temperature and pressure. We hold an exclusive, royalty-bearing worldwide license from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Research Foundation, across all fields of use. We are initially targeting eCOphite material as a drop-in additive or alternative to graphite in the lithium-ion market, but future applications are already in development to take full advantage of this unique discovery.
Traction
Scaled, funded and validated by industry.
- $5.35M+
- Non-dilutive grant funding awarded since 2018
- $2.6M+
- Investment funding raised
- 13
- Orders of magnitude, nanograms to kilograms
- 8
- People on the team
Scaling
Advanced from nanogram discovery quantities to 1 kilogram batches on pilot scale equipment producing material that integrates into existing battery manufacturing processes. Contract manufacturing demonstrated at 10 kilogram scale.
Sustainable feedstock
Definitively demonstrated production from bio-sourced feedstocks, reaching 1 kg batches in months versus over two years via graphene oxide.
Industry support
Collaborating with OEMs on early material validation, with active partnerships across US battery manufacturers and material producers. Supply chain and bio-feedstock providers offer in-kind support.
Our history
From discovery to disruption
Every press release marked a milestone joins this timeline automatically.
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Late 2016
COnovate founded
Formed as SafeLi, LLC to commercialize graphene monoxide, the first form of carbon monoxide known to be solid at atmospheric temperature and pressure.
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Jan 2017
Exclusive worldwide license
Secured an exclusive, royalty-bearing worldwide license from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Research Foundation across all fields of use.
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End of 2018
One employee
The company enters 2019 with a single employee and a laboratory-scale material.
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Mar 2022
Bio-sourced feedstock proven
Demonstrated production of the material from bio-sourced feedstocks, reaching 1 kg batches in months rather than the years required via graphene oxide.
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Nov 2022
Scaled by thirteen orders of magnitude
From nanogram discovery quantities to kilogram batches, using conventional industrial equipment to produce a material that drops into existing battery manufacturing.
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Nov 2023
Foundational patent issued, United States
COnovate was issued a US patent that covers composition of matter, composition of matter by process and application.
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Jan 2024
COnovate Inc. Named Deep Tech Pioneer by Hello Tomorrow.
COnovate inc. is thrilled to announce we’ve been named a Deep Tech Pioneer by Hello Tomorrow! From thousands of applications their experts saw real potential in our eCophite (TM) solution.
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Aug 2024
COnovate Advances to Shell’s “New Energy Challenge” Finals
We’re thrilled to announce that COnovate is a finalist in the prestigious Shell New Energy Challenge! This global competition is sponsored by Shell, along with Rockstart, Unknown Group and YES!Delft.
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Dec 2024
NSF SBIR Phase IIB award
Selected by the National Science Foundation for an NSF SBIR Phase IIB program, securing $500k in federal funding.
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Dec 2024
COnovate Secures $1 Million in Federal Funding for Critical Materials Innovation
COnovate is excited to announce its selection by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO).
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Jan 2025
COnovate Secures Successful Seed Round, to Accelerate Completion of Key Commercialization and Development Milestones
COnovate, Inc., a pioneering nanomaterials startup, is thrilled to announce the successful closure of its seed round with key support.
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Oct 2025
Foundational patent issued, Japan
COnovate was issued a Japanese patent that covers composition of matter, composition of matter by process and application.
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Apr 2026
Foundational patent issued, Korea
COnovate was issued a Korean patent that covers composition of matter, composition of matter by process and application.
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Jun 2026
COnovate Appoints Craig Rigby as Chief Executive Officer
COnovate today announces the appointment of battery technology veteran Craig Rigby as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. COnovate founder, Dr. Carol Hirschmugl, transitions.
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Jul 2026
Second US patent issued
COnovate was issued a second US patent, covering composition of matter by process.
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Sep 2026
COnovate Wins $1.25M DOE Contract to Scale U.S. Graphite-Alternative Anode Production
Development contract advances domestic eCOphite™ anode production to improve battery performance and strengthen critical-material supply chains.
Our team
The people behind COnovate.
A mix of technical and commercial expertise, start-up experience and technology leadership at scale, this team is well-positioned to lead the company through scaling and commercialization
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Craig Rigby
President & Chief Executive Officer
Nearly 30 years delivering technology innovation to mass production, with time at Ford, Johnson Controls and Clarios.
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Dr. Carol Hirschmugl
Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Discovered graphene monoxide, the first form of carbon monoxide known to be solid at atmospheric temperature and pressure.
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Jeff Moore
Strategy & Commercial Development
Multiple successful start-ups in the advanced materials space.
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Connie Tommerdahl
Director of Operations and Finance
Cross-functional expertise, with a successful exit from a technology start-up in water purification.
Our extended team
The people supporting COnovate.
A Strong team of technical, financial and commercial expertise with experience in both the startup and Corporate worlds providing guidance.
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Kiyomi Monro
Board Member
Entrepreneur and Corporate Leadership in Hard Tech space (Coherent Corp, Exaktera)
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Yakov Kutsovsky
Industry Advisor
Chemical Engineer Former CTO (Cabot, Group1, Materiax)
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Jill Pestana
Industry Advisor
Experienced industry leader (Accenture, NASA)
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Lucia Loza-Galezewski
Industry Advisor
Experience Finance Executive (Rockwell, Pentair)
Partners & recognition
Who we work with
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U.S. Department of Energy -
U.S. Department of Agriculture -
National Science Foundation -
Argonne National Laboratory -
Shell New Energy Challenge Finalist -
Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Pioneer -
Cleantech Forum North America -
Wisconsin Economic Development -
Oracle NetSuite -
SpectraPower -
eex -
ADMACOM Spring 2021 - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee