South 8 Technologies is a technology company.
South 8 Technologies has raised $12.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at South 8 Technologies.
South 8 Technologies has raised $12.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Key people at South 8 Technologies.
South 8 Technologies has raised $12.0M in total across 1 funding round.
South 8 Technologies's investors include Amazon Alexa Fund, Anzu Partners, Founders' Co-op, Innovation Works, Newlin, Grant Newlin.
South 8 Technologies is a San Diego-based battery technology company developing LiGas®, a patented liquefied gas electrolyte chemistry for next-generation rechargeable lithium metal batteries and electrochemical capacitors.[1][2][4][5] This innovation enables batteries to operate in extreme temperatures from -80°C to +60°C, delivers up to 80% greater energy density, enhances safety, and reduces costs compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, targeting markets like defense, aerospace, electric vehicles (EVs), grid storage, and drones.[1][3][4][6] The company serves demanding sectors including energy storage, transportation, and materials, with 20-50 employees, $12 million in total funding across two rounds, and sample 18650 cells available for customer testing today.[2][3][4]
Growth momentum includes SBIR awards from NSF and DoD totaling over $1.1 million for EV and military applications, prototype systems in customer hands, and plans for cell finishing capacity in 2026 followed by Gigafactory integration in 2028.[3][4]
South 8 Technologies was founded in 2015 by Jungwoo Lee, PhD (CEO & Co-Founder) and Cyrus Rustomji, PhD (CSO & Co-Founder) in San Diego, California.[4][5][6] Both bring deep expertise in battery chemistry; the duo pioneered the novel LiGas® electrolyte, addressing limitations of conventional liquid electrolytes in extreme conditions.[2][4] Early traction came from SBIR grants, including NSF funding for intellectual merit and broader impacts like emissions reduction, and DoD projects for low-temperature performance in military applications.[3] Pivotal moments include patent grants across multiple families and countries, plus recent advisory board additions like battery expert Yves Saw in 2023.[2][4]
South 8 stands out through its LiGas® technology, which replaces traditional liquid electrolytes with liquefied gas for superior performance:
These features enable reliable power in harsh environments where competitors fail.[1][4]
South 8 rides the extreme environment energy storage trend, fueled by electrification in defense, EVs, drones, and grid resilience amid climate volatility and geopolitical tensions.[1][3][4] Timing is ideal as lithium-ion limitations—poor cold-weather performance and safety concerns—hinder adoption in military (e.g., warfighter reliability from Sahara to Siberia), high-altitude UAS, and cold-climate EVs.[3][4] Market forces like DoD/NSF funding, rising demand for domestic battery tech, and global push for emissions reduction via efficient storage favor South 8.[3][6] It influences the ecosystem by enabling new applications in aerospace/military tech and accelerating transitions to all-weather grid/EV infrastructure, potentially spawning jobs and industries in advanced materials.[3]
South 8 is poised for breakout with LiGas® production ramping in 2026-2028, starting with defense/UAS niches before expanding to EVs and grid storage.[4] Key trends like autonomous robotics, high-altitude operations, and resilient energy infrastructure will propel growth, amplified by $12M funding and government validation.[2][3] Influence may evolve from innovator to scale supplier via Gigafactory partnerships, redefining lithium-ion viability in extremes and powering mission-critical mobility.[4] This breakthrough positions South 8 to unlock where traditional batteries can't go, transforming energy for aerospace, military, and beyond.
South 8 Technologies has raised $12.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series A in December 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2021 | $12.0M Series A | Amazon Alexa Fund, Anzu Partners, Founders' Co-op, Innovation Works, Newlin, Grant Newlin |
