e-Zinc is a technology company.
e-Zinc is a purpose-driven energy company dedicated to building a future with affordable, clean, and reliable energy for all through its unique zinc-based long-duration energy storage technology.
e-Zinc has raised $61.0M across 4 funding rounds.
e-Zinc has raised $61.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
e-Zinc has raised $61.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
e-Zinc's investors include Anzu Partners, BDC Venture Capital, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Creative Ventures, Energy Foundry, Energy Impact Partners, GE Ventures, Graphite Ventures, Ultratech Capital Partners, Bullpen Capital.
e-Zinc is a Toronto-based technology company developing zinc-based long-duration energy storage systems for grid-scale applications.[1][3][5] It builds electrochemical batteries that store energy in physically-free zinc metal, decoupling power and energy to enable multi-day storage at up to 80% lower cost than lithium-ion alternatives, serving utilities and energy providers transitioning to renewables.[3][5] The technology solves renewable intermittency by providing safe, flexible solutions operable from -30°C to 60°C using abundant, recyclable materials, with the company raising nearly $100 million, growing to 75 employees, and securing partnerships like Toyota Tsusho.[1][4]
Founded in 2012, e-Zinc has accelerated commercialization through $31 million Series A2 funding in 2024 and projects with the California Energy Commission, positioning it as a key enabler for zero-carbon grids.[1][4]
e-Zinc was founded in 2012 by Dr. Gregory Zhang in Toronto, Ontario, starting as a small team pioneering "metalizing energy" with zinc-based electrochemical storage.[1][3] Initially frugal with about $900,000 raised by 2018—when CEO James Larsen joined as the fifth member—the company emphasized careful financial management amid the nascent energy storage sector.[1] Pivotal growth came in the last five years: team expansion to 75, funding nearing $100 million (including $3.4 million in 2020 led by Energy Foundry and over $100 million in equity/grants since 2018 from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Eni), and first-of-a-kind pilots.[1][2][4] Recognition as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and 2025 Canadian tech entrepreneur highlight its trajectory.[4]
e-Zinc rides the global surge in renewables, where solar/wind records mask intermittency challenges requiring affordable long-duration storage.[5] Timing aligns with net-zero mandates and grid modernization, as zinc's abundance counters lithium supply constraints amid rising demand for multi-day backups.[1][3] Market forces like policy incentives (e.g., California projects) and investor interest in cleantech favor it, influencing the ecosystem by proving metal-air tech viability and partnering with majors like Toyota to accelerate deployment.[4][5] This positions e-Zinc to reshape energy markets, enabling 100% renewable penetration.
e-Zinc eyes full commercialization, shifting from battery OEM to holistic energy solutions provider over the next decade, leveraging pilots and funding for global scale.[1] Trends like AI-driven grids and extreme weather will amplify demand for its durable, cheap storage, with influence growing via awards and ecosystem partnerships.[4] As zinc tech matures, e-Zinc could dominate long-duration markets, powering the renewable-dominated future it envisions from day one.
e-Zinc has raised $61.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $31.0M Series A in June 2024.