# Ted Kniesche

> Ted Kniesche is the founder and CEO of Zero Industrial, a Charleston-based startup decarbonizing industrial heat by deploying commercially available thermal energy storage systems and selling clean heat and steam under long-term Heat-as-a-Service contracts. After two decades in clean energy development - including 13 years co-founding and building business development at Fulcrum BioEnergy - he launched Zero Industrial in 2024 with Jim McDermott and closed a $10 million Series A in April 2025 led by Evok Innovations.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Zero Industrial Inc.
- **Organizations:** Zero Industrial Inc., Aiga Capital Partners, Fulcrum BioEnergy
- **From:** California, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Known for:** Founded and leads Zero Industrial, a thermal energy storage developer operating across the U.S. and Canada., Closed a $10 million Series A round in April 2025 led by Evok Innovations., Co-founded Fulcrum BioEnergy and helped finance its first commercial-scale facility.

## Career timeline

- **2007** — Co-founded Fulcrum BioEnergy and led business development, project development, and government relations from inception.
- **2007-2020** — Served as VP of Business Development at Fulcrum BioEnergy for roughly 13 years, driving the program through financing of its first commercial-scale facility.
- **2022** — Worked as a Principal at Aiga Capital Partners, focused on sustainable infrastructure and bioeconomy finance.
- **2024** — Co-founded Zero Industrial with Jim McDermott to decarbonize industrial heat using thermal energy storage.
- **2025** — Closed a $10 million Series A led by Evok Innovations with Rusheen Capital Management (April 2025).
- **2026** — Expanded leadership with a Chief Commercial Officer and independent board member as the company moved from platform-building to project execution (March 2026).

## Achievements

- Founded and leads Zero Industrial, a thermal energy storage developer operating across the U.S. and Canada.
- Closed a $10 million Series A round in April 2025 led by Evok Innovations.
- Co-founded Fulcrum BioEnergy and helped finance its first commercial-scale facility.
- Built a Heat-as-a-Service model that fully finances industrial decarbonization projects, removing upfront capital for customers.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Zero Industrial added Charles J. Miller as Chief Commercial Officer and Charlie Daum as an independent board member, signaling a shift from platform-building to project execution.
- **2025-11** — Zero Industrial joined the Renewable Fuels Association as an associate member.
- **2025-04** — Closed a $10 million Series A led by Evok Innovations with Rusheen Capital Management.

## Links

- Website: https://zeroindustrial.energy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedkniesche/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ted-kniesche
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-04