Zinc-Air Battery Innovator Sthyr Energy Raises $1M Seed Round

Sthyr Energy, a deep-tech startup incubated at IIT Madras, has raised USD 1 million in seed funding led by Speciale Invest, with additional backing from Antares Ventures. The company is developing a mechanically rechargeable Zinc-Air battery system designed for long-duration energy storage applications such as seasonal storage and fossil-free peaker plant alternatives.

Founded by Gunjan (CEO), Akhil Kongara (CTO), and Muhammed Hamdan (COO), Sthyr’s innovation lies in its decoupling of energy and power components, allowing for scalable, modular deployment. The system utilizes non-flammable, water-based electrolytes, offering a safe and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technologies.

Backed by five years of research at IIT Madras, the startup will use the fresh capital to scale R&D, develop pilot installations, and partner with industrial and grid-scale stakeholders to validate its commercial readiness.

Vishnu Rajeev, Investment Principal at Speciale Invest, highlighted the strategic importance of Sthyr’s use of domestically available metals, stating that the company could help position India as a global leader in next-gen energy storage.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.