Sthyr Energy, a deeptech startup developing long-duration energy storage systems, has raised $1 million in a seed funding round led by Speciale Invest, with participation from Antares Ventures.
The funds raised will be used to expand its R&D efforts, build pilot systems and engage with grid-scale energy and industrial partners to demonstrate the commercial viability of its technology.
Founded in 2024 by Gunjan Kapadia, Akhil Kongara and Muhammed Hamdan, Sthyr Energy is a developing a mechanically rechargeable 200 kWh Zinc-Air battery system and 10 kW zinc regeneration units specifically designed for applications such as seasonal energy storage and fossil-free peaker plant replacement.
Sthyr’s technology decouples energy and power components, enabling flexible, modular deployment across scales. The system uses non-flammable, water-based electrolytes, prioritising safety while offering a viable alternative to lithium-ion chemistries.
Gunjan, Co-founder & CEO of Sthyr Energy said, “We’re excited to partner with Speciale Invest and Antares Ventures to take our technology from lab to grid. Our batteries are designed to provide energy security in a net-zero world—storing solar energy in the summer for use in the winter and delivering reliable power backup for over 100 hours.”
“Sthyr’s products are fundamentally not reliant on rare earth metals, but domestically available metals. Sthyr could be India’s gift to the world for energy storage – a sector that is currently dependent on a single nation, with complex geopolitical priorities, for rare earth elements,” said Vishnu Rajeev, who is an Investment Principal and the deal lead for Sthyr at Speciale.
Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest said, “Sthyr’s technology addresses a fundamental bottleneck in clean energy adoption, and their founding team brings the rare combination of technical excellence and mission-driven execution.”
