Sila Nanotechnologies
Energy
Founded: 2011
Last Round Valuation: $3.32B
Sila Nanotechnologies, based in San Francisco, CA, is a battery technology developer focused on creating lighter, safer, and higher energy density lithium-ion batteries. Their goal is to facilitate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, extend the lifespan of portable electronics, and promote the utilization of renewable energy sources. The company was established in 2016 by Alex Jacobs, Gene Berdichevsky, Gleb Yushin, and Mike Speiser.
Sila Nanotechnologies Overview:
Sila Nanotechnologies, commonly known as Sila Nano, is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced battery materials and technologies. The company's primary objective is to revolutionize the energy storage industry by enabling the production of high-performance lithium-ion batteries with improved energy density, safety, and lifespan.
Founded in 2011 by Alex Jacobs, Gene Berdichevsky, Gleb Yushin, and Mike Speiser, Sila Nano has its headquarters in Alameda, California, with additional facilities in Munich, Germany. The company's groundbreaking work in nanomaterials and battery technology has attracted significant attention and partnerships with major players in the automotive and electronics industries.
Sila Nano's core focus is on developing silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Traditionally, graphite has been the material of choice for anode production due to its stability and reliability. However, Sila Nano's proprietary technology enables the integration of silicon, which offers substantially higher energy storage capacity. By replacing a portion of graphite with silicon, Sila Nano's battery materials deliver a significant increase in energy density, allowing for longer-lasting and more powerful batteries.
One of the key advantages of Sila Nano's technology is its ability to address the critical challenges associated with silicon anodes, such as large volume expansion during charging and discharging cycles. Sila Nano has developed unique nanoscale particles and a proprietary electrode structure that can accommodate the expansion and contraction of silicon, resulting in enhanced battery performance and longevity.
The potential applications for Sila Nano's battery technology are vast. Electric vehicles (EVs) stand out as a crucial target market, as Sila Nano's materials enable EVs to achieve longer driving ranges and shorter charging times. By improving energy density, Sila Nano's batteries can unlock the mass adoption of EVs, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable transportation solutions.
Beyond the automotive industry, Sila Nano's technology has implications for portable electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices. By utilizing Sila Nano's high-energy-density batteries, these devices can operate for extended periods between charges, enhancing user convenience and reducing environmental waste associated with disposable batteries.
Moreover, Sila Nano's battery materials have the potential to support the integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid. By efficiently storing energy generated from solar or wind farms, Sila Nano's batteries can help overcome the intermittent nature of renewable energy and facilitate its broader adoption.
In addition to its cutting-edge technology, Sila Nano has forged strategic partnerships with prominent industry players. The company collaborates with leading automakers, battery manufacturers, and electronics companies to integrate its battery materials into their products. This collaborative approach ensures that Sila Nano's technology aligns with industry standards and facilitates its commercialization on a global scale.
In summary, Sila Nano is at the forefront of battery technology innovation, specifically focused on developing silicon-based anode materials to revolutionize lithium-ion batteries. With the potential to significantly increase energy density, enhance safety, and extend battery life, Sila Nano's advancements are poised to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, improve portable electronics, and enable the widespread utilization of renewable energy sources.
Founders:
Alex Jacobs
Gene Berdichevsky
Gleb Yushin
Mike Speiser
Top Investors:
8VC
Amperex Technology Limited
Bessemer Venture Partners
CPPIB
Chengwei Capital
Coatue Management
Daimler AG
Matrix Partners
Next47
Siemens Next47
Sutter Hill Ventures
T. Rowe Price
Funding History:
Date | Share Type | Amount Raised | Raised to Date | Issue Price | Post Money Valuation | Key Investors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan 2021 | Series F | $600MM | $943.62MM | $41.27 | $3.32B | Coatue Management, T. Rowe Price, 8VC |
Nov 2019 | Series E | $219.29MM | $343.62MM | $17.08 | $1.04B | Daimler AG, 8VC, Bessemer Venture Partners |
Aug 2018 | Series D | $69.1MM | $124.33MM | $6.87 | $319.63MM | Sutter Hill Ventures, Next47, Amperex Technology Limited |
Jun 2016 | Series C | $35.23MM | $55.23MM | $3.52 | $121.85MM | Undisclosed Investors |
Apr 2014 | Series B | $15MM | $20MM | $2.00 | $41.67MM | Undisclosed Investors |
Sep 2011 | Series A | $5MM | $5MM | $1.00 | $11.11MM | Sutter Hill Ventures |