Offgrid Energy Labs Raises $15M to Develop Zinc-Based Battery Storage Technology

India-based Offgrid Energy Labs has raised $15M in Series A funding to commercialize its ZincGel battery technology, an alternative to lithium-ion batteries for stationary storage. ZincGel delivers 80-90% of lithium's energy efficiency at a lower levelized cost of storage, making it a cost-effective solution for expanding renewable energy storage in India and other countries. The startup plans to build a 10-megawatt-hour demonstration facility in the UK and a gigafactory in India.

India-based Offgrid Energy Labs has raised $15 million in Series A funding to commercialize its ZincGel battery technology, an alternative to lithium-ion batteries for stationary storage. The funding round was led by Archean Chemical Industries Limited, with participation from existing investor Ankur Capital [1].

ZincGel delivers 80-90% of lithium's energy efficiency at a lower levelized cost of storage, making it a cost-effective solution for expanding renewable energy storage in India and other countries. The startup plans to build a 10-megawatt-hour demonstration facility in the UK and a gigafactory in India.

Offgrid Energy Labs, founded in 2018, focuses on reducing dependence on lithium-ion storage solutions through zinc-bromine gel batteries for the stationary storage market. The company has developed over 25 intellectual property (IP) assets, with its proprietary electrolyte forming the core of its technology [2].

The central government of India has set a target of achieving 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy-based electricity generation by 2030. According to the India Energy Storage Alliance, as of August this year, battery energy storage system capacity of 500 megawatt-hours (MWh) is operational.

Offgrid Energy Labs plans to deploy its technology across three specific domains—industrial net-zero initiatives with battery energy storage, managing power during peak demand periods, and serving off-grid areas such as islands and rural communities.

The Series A round was led by Archean Chemicals, a Chennai-based specialty chemicals manufacturer, which now holds a 21% stake in the startup, along with participation from Ankur Capital [2].

References:
[1] https://m.economictimes.com/tech/funding/battery-tech-startup-offgrid-energy-labs-raises-15-million-in-round-led-by-archean-chemical-industries/articleshow/123638954.cms
[2] https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/01/indias-offgrid-raises-15m-to-make-lithium-optional-for-battery-storage/