Great Plains Energy, the US-based energy utility that now operates under umbrella company Evergy, rebranded its investment affiliate, GXP Investments (GXPI), to Evergy Ventures on Tuesday.
Founded in 2015, GXPI provides funding for North America-based developers of emerging technologies with the potential to transform the electricity sector.
The unit’s core focus has been on digital utility technology such as smart sensors and analytics platforms, connected mobility services, smart cities technology, distributed energy resources and intelligent connected buildings.
Over the past three years, GXPI has invested more than $50m across a total of 13 companies including smart thermostat maker Ecobee, cybersecurity software developer Claroty, energy storage operator Axiom Energy and safety communications technology provider LiveSafe.
Great Plains Energy merged with electric utility company Westar Energy in a May 2018 deal to form an umbrella company called Evergy, a move the company said reflected its commitment to moving energy forward.
Evergy Ventures said in a statement: “The rebranding of Great Plains Energy provided a unique opportunity for GXPI to revisit our brand name as well.
“By aligning with Evergy and becoming Evergy Ventures, we are underscoring our commitment to energy innovation and the entrepreneurs that make it happen, in order to ensure a better energy future for all.”
Image courtesy of Evergy Ventures.