Solar power company receives venture capital funds

CHAMPAIGN – SmartSpark Energy Ventures has received what it calls "significant" funding from a venture capital company to help make solar energy more efficient and affordable.

The 4-year-old company in the University of Illinois Research Park got the investment from Battery Ventures, which has offices in Boston, Menlo Park, Calif., and Israel. Jason Matlof will represent Battery Ventures on SmartSpark's board of directors.

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