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§ Private Profile · Grenoble, Rhone-Alpes, France
Verkor is a technology company.
Verkor develops and produces high-performance, low-carbon lithium-ion battery cells primarily for the electric vehicle sector. The company focuses on the large-scale industrialization of its advanced battery technology within France, aiming to establish a localized and sustainable supply chain for the European market. Their technical approach emphasizes efficiency and environmental responsibility throughout the manufacturing process.
Verkor was co-founded in 2020 by Benoit Lemaignan, Christophe Mille, and Philippe Chain. The trio established the company based on the strategic insight that Europe required sovereign control over its battery production capabilities. This initiative aimed to address the increasing demand for electric mobility by providing domestically manufactured, high-quality, and environmentally conscious energy storage solutions.
The company's products target electric vehicle manufacturers and industrial clients in need of reliable and sustainable battery technology. Verkor's overarching vision is to foster European energy independence by building a resilient and ethical battery ecosystem. They aspire to significantly contribute to the decarbonization of transportation and broader industrial applications across the continent.
Verkor has raised $4.3B across 6 funding rounds.
Verkor has raised $4.3B in total across 6 funding rounds.
Verkor has raised $4.3B across 6 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $1.4B Debt in May 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2024 | $1.4B Debt Financing | — | ABN AMRO, ANZ, Banco Santander, Banque DES Territoires, Bpifrance, Caisse D'epargne, Caisse D'epargne RH NE Alpes, European Investment Bank, ING, KFW IPEX Bank, Kommunalkredit Austria, LA Banque Postale, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Natixis, Société Générale, Standard Chartered, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation | Announced |
| Sep 14, 2023 | $1.6B Debt Financing | — | European Investment Bank, Macquarie, Thierry Déau, Renault Group | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2023 | $900M Series C | — | EQT Ventures | Announced |
| Nov 7, 2022 | $248.7M Venture Round | — | Bpifrance Assurance Export, Ambroise Fayolle | Announced |
| Jul 6, 2021 | $118.6M Venture Round | Arkema | — | Announced |
| Jul 1, 2021 | $120M Series U | — | EQT Ventures | Announced |
Verkor has raised $4.3B in total across 6 funding rounds.
Verkor's investors include ABN AMRO, ANZ, Banco Santander, Banque des Territoires, Bpifrance, Caisse d'Epargne, Caisse d'Epargne Rh ne-Alpes, European Investment Bank, ING, KfW IPEX-Bank, Kommunalkredit Austria, La Banque Postale.
Verkor is a French battery technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of low-carbon lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storage, primarily serving the European market to support decarbonized mobility and renewable energy deployment.[1][3][7] It solves the challenge of sustainable, high-performance energy storage by developing batteries with silicon-based anodes for higher energy density, faster charging, and reduced carbon footprint through advanced manufacturing like roll-to-roll production and proprietary recycling technologies.[1][5] Verkor operates from its Verkor Innovation Centre (VIC) in Grenoble for R&D and pilot production, and its first gigafactory in Dunkirk (Bourbourg) with an initial 16 GWh/year capacity—enough for 300,000 EVs—scaling to 50 GWh by 2030, creating 1,200 direct jobs and enabling first commercial batteries in 2026 for the Alpine A390.[2][4][8] Backed by investors like Renault Group, Schneider Electric, and EQT Ventures, Verkor demonstrates strong growth momentum through rapid industrialization and ecosystem partnerships.[2][7]
Verkor was founded in July 2020 in Grenoble, France, by Benoît Lemaignan and five others, inspired by Lemaignan's 2018 experience as an investment manager at Meridiam, where he evaluated Northvolt's ambitious battery plans and recognized Europe's need for domestic production.[4] The name draws from the Vercors mountain range near Grenoble, reflecting its French roots.[4] Lemaignan, transitioning from finance to industry, assembled a team of entrepreneurs and experts with over 1,200 years of cumulative experience in batteries, drawing talent through an agile, sustainable business model.[4][5] Early traction came swiftly: the European Investment Bank provided €49 million in venture debt in 2022 for the VIC, which validated high-performance cells on a 24/7 pilot line producing tens of thousands of units.[2][4] Pivotal moments include opening the Dunkirk gigafactory in 2025, transferring innovations from VIC, and securing mandates from major shareholders to industrialize low-carbon batteries in Europe.[2][7]
Verkor rides the global surge in EV adoption and renewable energy storage, addressing Europe's strategic need to onshore battery production amid supply chain vulnerabilities from Asia.[3][4][7] Timing is critical as EU policies push for decarbonized mobility—Verkor's gigafactory aligns with this by repatriating high-value manufacturing (SDG 9) and enabling climate action (SDG 13) through electrification.[8] Market forces like rising EV demand (e.g., for Alpine A390) and sustainability mandates favor its low-carbon focus, reducing reliance on imported materials while innovating in high-risk areas like cell performance.[2][4] By pioneering 16-50 GWh scale in France, Verkor influences the ecosystem as a "French champion," fostering jobs, local skills, and a unified European value chain that accelerates intelligent manufacturing and sets benchmarks for competitors.[2][5][7]
Verkor is poised for explosive growth, with gigafactory commissioning in 2025 enabling 2026 commercialization and 50 GWh expansion by 2030 amid surging EV demand.[2] Trends like AI-optimized manufacturing, direct recycling, and EU green incentives will propel its edge, potentially capturing significant market share in low-carbon batteries.[5][6] Its influence may evolve from innovator to ecosystem leader, inspiring more European gigafactories and solidifying France's role in sustainable energy storage—transforming Lemaignan's "crazy" vision into a cornerstone of the energy transition.[4]