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Imprint Energy is a technology company.
Imprint Energy develops and commercializes flexible, rechargeable zinc batteries, leveraging its proprietary Zinc Poly technology. These innovative batteries are designed to be thin, safe, and screen-printed into various shapes, offering a versatile power solution. The company's technical approach focuses on providing low-cost, high-performance power for the next generation of connected devices.
The company's core battery technology originated from university research, with its founders developing the breakthrough flexible power solution. This fundamental insight into advanced materials allowed for the creation of batteries that overcome the limitations of traditional rigid power sources, enabling new possibilities for product design and integration.
Imprint Energy targets the expansive market of internet of things (IoT) devices, sensors, and other smart electronics that demand compact and adaptable power. The company envisions reshaping the battery landscape by offering products that seamlessly integrate into everyday items and enable enhanced functionality, ultimately changing how portable power is utilized.
Imprint Energy has raised $11.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Imprint Energy has raised $11.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Imprint Energy is a technology company specializing in ultrathin, flexible, printed rechargeable zinc-based batteries under its proprietary ZincPoly™ technology.[1][2][3] It builds batteries that are non-toxic, high energy density, safe, and environmentally friendly compared to lithium alternatives, targeting applications like IoT devices, sensors, wearables, smart labels, medical patches, and logistics tags.[1][2][3][5] These solve key limitations in existing batteries—such as rechargeability issues, safety risks, design constraints, and high costs—by enabling low-cost printing on standard equipment, co-manufacturing with sensors and circuitry, and sustainable production.[1][2][3] The company has shipped commercial products, produced over half a million batteries with partners, raised over $17M from investors like Phoenix Venture Partners and Dow Venture Capital, secured 26+ patents, and earned awards like Global Cleantech 100.[2] Acquired by CCL Industries Inc. in 2023 (IP via IPIRA), it now scales via CCL's manufacturing in Ohio and a new California R&D facility.[1][5]
Imprint Energy was founded in 2010 in Alameda, California, by inventors Paul Wright, Christine Ho, and James Evans, emerging from UC Berkeley's IPIRA program to address rechargeability limits in zinc batteries for portable electronics.[1][3] Christine Ho, founder and Head of Technology, led development of ZincPoly™, a printable chemistry with zinc/metal oxide electrodes and non-flammable solid-state gel electrolyte.[3][5] Early traction came from printing ultrathin batteries (thinner than two sheets of paper) for IoT and sensors, with sampling to partners and production of over 500,000 units on commercial print lines.[2][3] Pivotal moments include 2013-2018 IDTechEx recognition for printed high-capacity zinc batteries, MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35, and 2023 acquisition by CCL Industries, relocating manufacturing to Ohio and opening a new R&D hub to accelerate scaling.[1][3][5]
Imprint Energy stands out through these key advantages:
Imprint Energy rides the IoT explosion and sustainability push in electronics, powering billions of always-connected devices like sensors, wearables, and smart packaging amid rising demand for green alternatives to lithium batteries.[2][3] Timing aligns with regulatory pressures on toxic materials, supply chain vulnerabilities in critical minerals, and growth in flexible/printed electronics markets (e.g., healthcare, logistics).[1][3][5] Market forces favoring it include cost-sensitive scaling for edge IoT, where high-density, safe power is essential, and cleantech trends like decarbonization.[2] It influences the ecosystem by enabling "defacto green chemistry" for designers, reducing e-waste via disposable-yet-safe batteries, and advancing printed energy storage in sectors like energy harvesting and wearables.[2][3]
Imprint Energy is poised for accelerated growth under CCL, leveraging its new R&D facility for next-gen prototypes and Ohio scaling for mass production in IoT/health applications.[5] Trends like expanding cellular IoT (e.g., Saga Card), climate-tech mandates, and printed electronics maturation will propel adoption, potentially disrupting lithium in niche high-volume markets.[2][5] Its influence may evolve from innovator to standard-setter in sustainable thin batteries, as partners integrate ZincPoly™ amid global sustainability demands—reshaping device design from the power source up, as pioneered since 2010.[1][2]
Imprint Energy has raised $11.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Imprint Energy's investors include Phoenix Venture Partners, Semtech Corporation, u.life fund, Nobi Kambe, Bobby Goodlatte, Richard Titus, AME Cloud Ventures, Lab IX.
Imprint Energy has raised $11.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Other Equity in September 2018.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2018 | $5.0M Other Equity | Phoenix Venture Partners, Semtech Corporation, u.life fund | |
| Jun 1, 2014 | $6.0M Series A | Nobi Kambe | Bobby Goodlatte, Richard Titus, AME Cloud Ventures, Lab IX |