Proterra Raises $55M in Strategic Financing to Meet Customer Demand for ZEV Transit Solutions

SAN BRUNO, Calif., June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Proterra, the leading provider of zero-emission battery-electric buses, today announced the completion of Strategic Financing that will fund the Proterra business plan to cash flow positive results with the addition of $55 million of liquidity. This signals a new growth phase for the company, as Proterra scales production to meet growing demand and accelerates cash realization.

Proterra has closed a $30 million Series 4 equity round led by $19 million from several new strategic investors. The existing major investors in Proterra added $11 million of equity. "Increasingly Proterra's products and technology are earning industry credibility as fleet customers place second, third, and fourth orders for Proterra's zero emission transit vehicles. And while the company has made great strides within the last year, we're really looking forward to supporting Proterra through this next stage of expansion," said Michael Linse, a partner at KPCB and Proterra board member.

In conjunction with the equity financing, Proterra has completed a debt financing in an amount up to $25 million with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC). The strategic debt financing will provide long-term debt capital to fully fund Proterra's new Advanced Manufacturing facility in California, which was recently awarded a California Energy Commission grant to support clean vehicle technology growth.  In addition, the Hercules debt facility expands Proterra's access to working capital, a critical component of growth financing as production volume increases.

By simultaneously securing a strategic debt facility and a large growth equity financing, Proterra will finish the second quarter of 2015 fully funded to expand into the West Coast markets through its new California manufacturing center, ramp production to meet growing demand, and continue to invest heavily in future generations of EV transit technology. "This is a pivotal time for Proterra as we launch the latest generation of our technology and double our production capacity," said Ryan Popple, Proterra CEO. "We're appreciative to have such strong investor interest and confident in the company's ability to deliver strong results for all.  Our new and existing investors are supportive of both our need to increase capacity as well as continue to lead the market in steadily improving and perfecting EV technology for transit.  These financings are a powerful source of growth capital and will accelerate the adoption of EV technology in transit."

About Proterra, Inc.
Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission vehicles that enable bus fleet operators to significantly reduce operating cost while delivering clean, quiet transportation to the community. Proterra has sold over 100 vehicles to 14 different transit agencies throughout North America. Proterra's configurable EV platform, battery and charging options make its buses well-suited to a wide range of transit and campus routes. With unmatched durability and energy efficiency based on rigorous U.S. certification testing, Proterra products are proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in America, with offices in South Carolina and Silicon Valley. For more information visit: http://www.proterra.com/ and follow us on Twitter @Proterra_Inc.

About Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. 
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC) is the leading specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in technology-related industries, including technology, biotechnology, life sciences, and energy & renewable technology, at all stages of development. Since inception (December 2003), Hercules has committed more than $5.2 billion to over 320 companies and is the lender of choice for entrepreneurs and venture capital firms seeking growth capital financing. Companies interested in learning more about financing opportunities should contact [email protected], or call 650.289.3060.

SOURCE Proterra

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