The Venture Codex

Led · Series A · Sep 2025

Offgrid Energy Labs has developed ZincGel, a zinc-bromide battery with a proprietary water-based electrolyte intended as a lower-cost, safer alternative to lithium-ion for stationary storage. The startup says ZincGel delivers 80–90% of lithium’s energy efficiency while offering a lower levelized cost of storage and reduced fire risk. The chemistry supports longer discharges (6–12 hours), can last up to twice as long as typical lithium-ion batteries, and uses a carbon-based cathode for fast charge/discharge performance. Offgrid has amassed over 25 IP families and more than 50 IP assets across markets including the U.S., U.K., India, China, Australia, and Japan. The company has been building prototypes in Noida but plans a 10 MWh demonstration facility in the U.K. by Q1 2026 and commercialization thereafter, with a gigafactory in India planned as the next phase. Early testers and partners include Shell (seed investor) and Tata Power, and the startup is in talks with global players such as Enel. Offgrid Energy Labs has developed ZincGel®, a modular rechargeable zinc‑based battery technology platform designed for stationary storage, microgrids, EV charging and low‑powered mobility. The company emphasizes recyclable, non‑toxic materials and claims over 15 patents, designs and trademarks for its innovations. ZincGel® is positioned to address performance, environmental impact and cost issues the company attributes to current battery technologies, targeting a potential $100 billion global energy storage market. Offgrid has completed prototype pilot runs and plans a commercial product launch in about 18 months. Its go‑to‑market approach includes licensing the battery technology and selling a novel electrolyte to existing battery manufacturers. The company reports partnerships and testing support from institutions and industry partners to validate and pilot the technology.