Tanann. An electrifying
opportunity.
Our investments are grounded on the insight and evidence that maritime electrification isn’t just good for the soul, it’s good business.
Tanann. Jump in.
Our Mission & Approach
Tanann accelerates the transition to marine electrification through pragmatic, efficient and cost-effective solutions.
Instead of searching for companies to invest in, we identify needs and start companies that solve problems. Our companies follow Tanann’s D8 design philosophy: Design for safety; design for cost; design for function; design for reliability; design for simplicity; design for manufacturing; design for service, and; design for sustainability.
Why do it?
A letter from the founder
In 2013, after a decade of optimizing lithium battery manufacturing operations in Asia, I moved to Seattle with my family. I’d always dreamed of living by the Puget Sound.
Orcas and whales are familiar creatures in the Sound, sharing the water with noisy and polluting boats. If you’re a diver, like me, you’ve also met the Great Pacific Octopus. They lurk not far from our ferry terminal. On shore, if you’re observant, you’ll see the inspiration for Tanann. The hummingbird is a delicate and graceful creature that flies with amazing efficiency and agility. As an engineer, I believe, that nature is our best teacher—and our greatest obligation. We learn from its wonders and should protect its treasures. That’s why Tanann exists.
As a lithium battery entrepreneur, my encounters with Puget Sound’s creatures fill me with that sense of responsibility. We know there are better solutions—and they’re available now. Marine electrification isn’t some distant dream. Factoring in only the cost of fuel and maintenance, boat electrification pencils out in the positive for impact and savings. It’s cleaner for our waters, and better for our souls.
For 20 years, I’ve seen the importance of timing investments ahead of the curve. At the right price point, markets convert. Tanann is focused on investments that will accelerate maritime electrification with low-cost solutions. Like the hummingbird, we plan to use our resources efficiently and be striking in our impact.
If you share the vision of a cleaner, more profitable, and sustainable maritime industry, we’d love to hear from you.
Leadership
Mohammed Alobaidi
Managing Director
Jochen Schumann
Technology Director
Tony Heneberry
Investment Director—Asia
Tanann
Nature’s Representative
Mohammed Alobaidi
Managing Director
For over 20 years, Mohammed Alobaidi’s career has followed the rise of lithium battery technology and the conversion opportunities it presented. He used the forecasted price projection and technology roadmap to pre-empt the next conversion opportunity. A believer in the diversity of the supply chain, he built and scaled multiple engineering and manufacturing operations in Taiwan, Malaysia, India, Switzerland and the USA, successfully converting several markets to lithium batteries. In 2020, he sold Green Cubes Technology, a leader in Lithium-ion (Li-ion) power systems in order to turn his focus to the next electrification opportunity: the maritime market.
Jochen Schumann
Technology Director
Jochen has 30 years experience in power electronics, working for several of the biggest brands in the world including ABB, Power-One, Melcher and Bel Power.
More recently he was the CTO of Green Cubes Technology, an innovator and leader in lithium power systems.
Based in Zurich, Jochen leads our electrification technology road map and platform developments.
Tony Heneberry
Investment Director - Asia
Tony is an entrepreneur who has built several companies in property, music, investment, and marketing & communications, in Europe and Asia. His family originates from Cape Clear Island off the west coast of Ireland and he started his career as an Irish Navy Officer and subsequently as an Engineering Officer on Supertankers. He is a keen sailor having sailed to Africa the Azores and around SE Asia. Tony was an early believer in Tanann’s mission and its impact.
Tanann
Nature's Representative
“Tanann” is Arabic for “hummingbird,” which captured Alobaidi’s heart when he moved to Seattle.
The hummingbird
A fascinating gift of nature with the fastest wings on Earth is also delicate and vulnerable.
We must be reminded that we are sharing our planet with them. We need to have their voice present when we make investments or create new products, or else, we will risk creatures like the hummingbird disappearing from our backyards. Electrification offers an example of profitable investments that can also benefit the planets’ vulnerable creatures.