Meet SquareOne Energy

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SquareOne set out to revolutionize oil recycling by creating the first U.S. facility capable of converting wasted oils into clean, fully usable fuels. While traditional re-refiners were limited in ability to keep pace with stricter environmental standards and sheer scope of waste output, SquareOne’s advanced design enabled them to handle diverse feedstock streams, addressing an urgent environmental need.

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However, the company faced significant hurdles:

• The idea existed only in spreadsheets—there were no professional processes in place.
• They needed buy-in from investors and partners to validate their model.
• Navigating regulatory challenges was daunting and unfamiliar territory.
• Capital sourcing required careful structuring to attract the right investors at the right time.

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How PhiCap Helped SquareOne Find a Way

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SquareOne needed more than just a private equity firm, they needed strategic business builders. That’s where we came in.

As co-founding members, PhiCap provided hands-on co-executive leadership that put SquareOne on a trajectory to win. The company’s early team recognized that hiring an individual CFO wouldn’t provide the comprehensive expertise needed to launch a first-of-its-kind venture. We stepped in to lay the foundational financial and operational building blocks, ensuring the company was set up for long-term success.

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From Concept to Capital and Beyond

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Building an enterprise positioned for sustainable growth starts with stable foundations. Our experience developing both public and private companies with long-term success in mind put us in a uniquely qualified spot to lay that groundwork for SquareOne, and then move forward with significant capital raises. Here’s how we did it.

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Laying Financial and Operational Foundations

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Financial Modeling & Books: We built essential financial records and structured early financial operations.

Strategic Partnerships: We helped form key commercial relationships, structuring contracts with waste providers and buyers.

Operational Strategy: We guided decisions on site selection, technology integration, and key stakeholders.

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Capital Structuring & Sourcing

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Early-Stage Funding: We began by raising capital through friends, family, and high-net-worth individuals.

Institutional Funding: After we reached essential benchmarks, we progressed to a more sophisticated investor group, including family offices and specialized investors.

Major Capital Raise: We engaged a major capital partner as a marketing agent to help raise $500mm for the initial facility.

Strategic Structuring: We ensured deals were structured simply and efficiently with the future vision of SquareOne in mind.

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Building a Scalable, Profitable Business

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With PhiCap’s leadership, SquareOne transformed from a concept into a fully operational enterprise. pioneering a sustainable approach to waste oil recycling. We helped by:

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• Securing Development Capital: Raising initial funds in a space where many investors hesitate to engage.‍
• Establishing a Scalable Model: The process and business structure positioned SquareOne for significant expansion
• Creating Long-Term Investor Value: The foundation was laid for future monetization or a liquidity event.

We jumped in at ground zero with SquareOne, building from the fundamentals to established a valuable business model. Wearing multiple hats, from financial oversight to regulatory navigation, was just part of our hands-on approach to co-executive leadership. Today, SquareOne isn’t just operational; they’re positioned for serious growth. And they’re proving what we’ve always believed: innovation in energy transition doesn’t have to rely on subsidies. It just takes the right strategy and execution.