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Meet America’s Newest $1B Unicorn
A US startup just hit a $1 billion private valuation, joining billion-dollar private companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and ByteDance. Unlike those other unicorns, you can invest.
Over 40,000 people already have. So have industry giants like General Motors and POSCO.
Why all the interest? EnergyX’s patented tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods. That's a big deal, as demand for lithium is expected to 5X current production levels by 2040. Today, they’re moving toward commercial production, tapping into 100,000+ acres of lithium deposits in Chile, a potential $1.1B annual revenue opportunity at projected market prices.
Right now, you can invest at this pivotal growth stage for $11/share. But only through February 26. Become an early-stage EnergyX shareholder before the deadline.
This is a paid advertisement for EnergyX Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.energyx.com. Under Regulation A, a company may change its share price by up to 20% without requalifying the offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Yonda Tax, a British FinTech firm, secured $15 million in new funding. This capital fuels global expansion and advanced platform development. The company automates complex cross-border indirect tax compliance. It targets scaling businesses navigating VAT, GST, and Sales Tax challenges worldwide.
Yonda's unique "tax-first" approach ensures accuracy. Its fixed monthly pricing model offers predictable costs. This strategic investment, led by Kennet Partners, validates Yonda's rapid growth. It highlights the urgent market need for streamlined international tax solutions. Yonda aims to simplify global tax for businesses expanding across borders, from e-commerce to AI companies. Their platform ensures compliance and operational efficiency for high-growth firms.
I asked 10 out-of-the-box questions to startup co-founder Gareth Kobrin to better understand his experience and journey to success.
Gareth Kobrin, Co-founder and CEO Yonda Tax
1. How do you keep your team motivated during tough times?
I don’t try to hype people up when things are hard – adults see through that. I focus on clarity: what matters this week, what doesn’t, and what “good” looks like. When people know the plan and trust that bad news won’t be sugar-coated, motivation tends to follow.
2. What would you do if your main competitor suddenly disappeared tomorrow?
I’d enjoy the moment for about five minutes, then assume something new will replace them just as fast. Competition disappearing usually means the problem still exists – so I’d double down on execution rather than celebrating.
3. Can you describe an early moment when you realised your startup could succeed?
It wasn’t a big launch or press moment. A very big brand formalised their decision-making process and implemented an official RFP process. Our tech and infrastructure weren’t anywhere near our competitors, but our value prop and honest approach won them over. If we could win a deal of this size and nature when we were so immature, it galvanised me to believe we could succeed.
4. How did your network or personal connections from the past help you launch your startup?
Honestly, not as much as people think. A few early intros helped, but most momentum came from cold conversations and doing a good job once someone said yes. Networks open doors – delivery keeps them open.
5. Looking back, what advice would you give to your entrepreneurial self at the very beginning?
Move faster on the obvious decisions and slower on the irreversible ones. I spent too much time overthinking things that didn’t matter and not enough time shipping what did.
6. How did you validate your business idea before fully committing?
We charged for it early. Not a perfect product – just enough to see if someone would pay. Opinions are cheap; invoices aren’t.
7. What advice would you give startups about earning their first dollar?
Don’t wait for the product to be “ready”. Find someone with the problem today, solve it manually if you have to, and charge. The first dollar is less about revenue and more about proof.
8. What lessons did you learn from your first paying customer?
That customers don’t buy vision – they buy relief. They cared far less about our roadmap than about whether we made their specific problem go away.
9. How do you disconnect from work and recharge?
I walk my dog or go drinking with my mates.
10. What’s a surprising thing about you that most people don’t know?
I’m extremely shy. Despite being a successful salesperson and often having to give speeches or public talks – I am an introvert and don’t really love attention or unnecessary social interaction.
Thanks Gareth for the interesting and truthful answers.
Contact me if you're a startup founder, if your startup has raised over $2M, if you want to talk about a new round, an achievement or a new milestone [email protected]
Let's tell your story for thousands of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts.
Lina M.,
CMO and Co-founder at Parsers VC
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