Zinc Battery Pioneer Enzinc Selected for $1.62 Million CEC Energy Storage Award

Zinc Battery Pioneer Enzinc Selected for $1.62 Million CEC Energy Storage Award

by | Jul 16, 2025 | Press Release

Grant supports development of zinc-based battery technology to strengthen California’s grid reliability

RICHMOND, Calif. – July 16, 2025 – Enzinc Inc., a leader in advanced rechargeable zinc battery technology, will receive $1.62 million from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to research and develop its innovative zinc electrode technology. The competitive award is part of the CEC’s Energy Storage Innovations to Support Grid Reliability solicitation, which will provide up to $30 million through the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program.

“As the demand for safe, scalable, and sustainable energy storage solutions grows, this award reinforces the critical role zinc-based technologies can play in ensuring a resilient grid,” said Dr. Michael Galluzzo, chief scientist of Enzinc. “Our proprietary technology enables safer, more cost-effective advanced batteries to be built using existing aqueous battery manufacturing equipment. This project will enable Enzinc to tune our formulations to handle high power or long duration energy storage use cases with the same chemistry.”

Enzinc’s project, Advanced Zn Electrode to Enable Rechargeable Alkaline Zinc Batteries for a More Resilient Grid, will focus on applied research and development to improve the value, safety, and sustainability of stationary energy storage. The goal is to develop and demonstrate affordable battery systems for various grid energy storage scenarios using non-flammable, earth-abundant materials to help California meet its ambitious climate and energy reliability goals.

David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission (L), and other dignitaries receive a briefing about Enzinc’s proprietary anode technology at the 2024 opening of Enzinc’s Manufacturing Technology Center in Oakland, CA.

This latest grant builds on a strong period of growth for the Richmond-based company. Recently, Enzinc announced it closed an $8 million Series A funding round to accelerate commercialization and expand its pilot manufacturing capabilities.

“California’s continued investment in innovative energy technologies sends a powerful message,” Michael Burz, founder and CEO of Enzinc, said. “We’re honored to be selected for this program and to pave the way for more sustainable grid-scale storage that can be rapidly deployed by leveraging existing battery manufacturing infrastructure instead of spending billions to build new gigafactories.”

The EPIC-funded initiative supports early-stage and pre-commercial technologies that have the potential to transform California’s energy landscape. Final approval of Enzinc’s grant is expected at an upcoming CEC business meeting. Enzinc previously received nearly $3 million in grants and vouchers from the CEC, including a $1.8 million BRIDGE award, CalSEED Phase I and II awards, and a CalTestBed voucher for product testing.

Dr. M Galuzzo of Enzinc

Dr. Michael Galluzzo, chief scientist, by the pilot line furnace at Enzinc’s Manufacturing Technology Center in Oakland, CA.

Enzinc Secures $8 Million in Series A Funding to Drive Innovation in Renewable Energy Storage

Enzinc Secures $8 Million in Series A Funding to Drive Innovation in Renewable Energy Storage

by | Dec 11, 2024 | Press Release

Funding round led by TO VC funding will accelerate commercialization of Enzinc’s revolutionary zinc-based battery technology

RICHMOND, Calif. – 11 December, 2024 – Enzinc Inc., an advanced zinc battery developer, today announced it had closed its Series A funding, raising $8 million. The round was led by TO VC, with participation from American Century Investments (ACI), which led Enzinc’s seed round.

The funding comes as global demand for batteries skyrockets and the world searches for alternatives to lithium-ion chemistry. Enzinc’s proprietary technology unleashes zinc’s full potential, creating rechargeable advanced nickel-zinc batteries with high energy density and unparalleled safety. 

Enzinc’s technology enables its customers—lead-acid battery manufacturers—to leverage the existing 400GWh of global manufacturing capacity to make high-performance batteries without a massive capital investment. They can triple their output and boost revenue and margins while meeting the growing demand for efficient batteries for mobility and stationary uses.

“There’s a vast untapped resource in the global lead-acid manufacturing infrastructure and Enzinc is poised to unlock this potential,” said Joshua Phitoussi, cofounder and managing partner at TO VC. “The US can leverage its global leadership in lead-acid battery manufacturing capacity to position itself as a leader in advanced battery manufacturing without investing many billions of dollars in gigascale factories. We invest in companies that are building earth’s most vital ventures, and energy storage is one of the most powerful areas of innovation to get to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Enzinc’s technology unlocks the ability to transform these existing factories into powerhouses for advanced batteries.”

TO VC focuses on early-stage startups with transformative technologies in energy systems, food systems, and carbon removal. Known for its active partnership with founders, TO VC has a track record of nurturing companies from concept to market leadership.

“Securing this funding in today’s challenging environment is a testament to the confidence our investors have in Enzinc’s vision and ability to scale our safe and powerful battery technology rapidly,” said Michael Burz, CEO and cofounder of Enzinc. “We appreciate the deep expertise, collaborative approach, and shared commitment to healing our planet that our investors bring.”

The funding will enable Enzinc to scale production, expand partnerships, and bring its breakthrough zinc-based battery technology to market, supporting the global transition to renewable energy. As part of the investment, Phitoussi, a seasoned venture capitalist known for championing disruptive startups, will join Enzinc’s Board of Directors. He will work alongside Jake Pflaum, a member of the private investments team at ACI and board member at Enzinc since its seed round in mid-2022.

“Enzinc’s technology addresses critical challenges in energy storage, making renewable energy more reliable and affordable. American Century Investments is proud to continue our partnership and support Enzinc’s growth as a key player in the clean energy revolution,” said Pflaum.

The announcement comes after the recent opening of Enzinc’s Manufacturing Technology Center in Oakland, CA.

 

About Enzinc

Enzinc is an engineering technology company focused on developing advanced high performance green batteries to accelerate the energy transition. Its zinc microsponge ‘Enzinc Inside’ anode is a drop in technology that can rapidly scale deployment of better batteries by using existing manufacturing infrastructure. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company applies aerospace and automotive engineering practices to energy storage development. Enzinc is an ARPA-e awardee and has received multiple grants through the California Energy Commission’s EPIC program.

For more information visit the Enzinc website or join the conversation on BlueSky or LinkedIn.

About TO VC

TO VC backs vital teams tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. As an early-stage decarbonization venture capital fund, TO VC invests in groundbreaking climate tech companies focused on transforming food systems, energy systems, and pioneering carbon removal solutions. TO VC believes these areas are the key to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and restoring harmony between humanity and the planet. TO VC is steadfast in its conviction that tomorrow’s giants will be climate innovators and that the most compelling companies today are those dedicated to combating climate change. Discover more at to.vc.