Nuvola is a full-stack execution team with deep expertise in energy technology and commercialization. Founded by Dr. Janet Hur and Dr. Leland Smith, who began collaborating during their time at UCLA, Nuvola was built to solve critical inefficiencies in battery manufacturing. That mission led to the invention of SafeCoat DDS, a fundamentally new separator solution.
Selected by Y Combinator early in its journey, Nuvola has validated both its technology and its transformative vision. With just $6 million raised, the team advanced SafeCoat from concept to pilot scale, surpassing what many heavily funded competitors have achieved.
Since 2018, Nuvola has built a global IP portfolio with over 11 patents across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, securing both technical originality and commercial protection. The Nuvola team is experienced, capital-efficient, and committed to scaling SafeCoat into the global battery industry.
Meet the Team
Management
Board Director
Janet Hur
Forbes 50 Women-led Startup
UCLA Mechanical Engineering
Microbatteries & Fuel Cells
Board Director
Leland Smith, PhD
UCLA Materials Science
Lithium-ion Battery Materials
Materials for batteries & supercapacitors
Henry Park
35 years energy experience, Unicorn Exit
Coeur Renewables
Founder and Managing Partner of
Energy Power Partners
David McHale
35 years energy experience
Cofounder Coeur Renewables
Former EVP, CFO of Eversource Energy
Advisors
Prof. Bruce Dunn
Nippon sheet glass
Chair in Materials Science, UCLA
Peter Santos
11-year CEO at Audience, from idea stage to IPO
Cathal Phelan
5-year CTO at Cypress Semiconductor