Danielle Fong
Danielle Fong | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 30, 1987 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, scientist |
| Known for | Co-founder and chief scientist of LightSail Energy |
Danielle Fong (born October 30, 1987) is a Canadian entrepreneur and scientist recognized as the chief scientist and co-founder of LightSail Energy.
Education
Originating from Halifax, Nova Scotia and raised in Dartmouth, Fong began her studies at Dalhousie University at just 12 years old. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Computer Science by the age of 17. Subsequently, she enrolled in a plasma physics Ph.D. program at Princeton University, which she left when she was 20.
LightSail Energy
In 2009, Fong partnered with Stephen Crane and Edwin P. Berlin Jr. to establish LightSail Energy in Berkeley, California. The company focused on regenerative air energy storage (RAES), a variation of compressed air energy storage, initially funded by Khosla Ventures.
By 2013, Fong’s objective was to address energy storage issues to revolutionize residential power management. LightSail secured over $70 million in funding, including a $2 million investment from Nova Scotia’s government-owned entity, Innovacorp. In 2016, the firm shifted its focus toward manufacturing transport modules for natural gas but eventually suspended operations and ceased activity in 2018. Khosla Ventures retained ownership of the company’s patents following its closure.
Recognition
Fong appeared in Forbes’ "30 Under 30" list for Energy entrepreneurs in 2011 and participated in an interview with the magazine. In 2012, she was honored on the MIT Technology Review "Innovators Under 35" roster and later featured in Time’s "30 Under 30" in 2013. Additionally, she delivered a presentation at the Women 2.0 PITCH Conference & Competition in 2012.