Deeptech

Deeptech Startup Sthyr Energy Secures $1 Mn Seed Funding

• ByStartupStory     |    June 26, 2025

Deeptech energy storage startup Sthyr Energy has raised $1 million in seed funding, with participation from early-stage venture capital firm Speciale Invest and Antares Ventures. The funds will be used to accelerate R&D efforts, pilot key product lines, and scale manufacturing capabilities, the company said in a statement.

Founded in 2024 by Gunjan Kapadia, Akhil Kongara, and Muhammed Hamdan, Sthyr is focused on tackling the growing issue of renewable energy curtailment by developing low-cost, safe, and scalable energy storage solutions based on zinc-air battery technology. The Chennai-based startup is currently working on modular 200 kWh battery systems and 10 kW zinc regeneration units, designed to store excess renewable power and release it during low-generation periods.

“Our vision is to make long-duration energy storage affordable, safe, and built entirely with indigenous technology,” said Gunjan Kapadia, Co-founder of Sthyr. “The ideal use cases for our batteries include renewable energy farms, remote microgrids, the defence sector, and island communities that still rely on diesel-based power.”

Sthyr’s proprietary energy storage system uses non-flammable, water-based electrolytes, making it significantly safer than lithium-ion alternatives. Its technology also decouples power and energy components, allowing modular and scalable deployments based on varying power demands. The architecture is supported by multiple patents.

Positioning itself as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, Sthyr claims its systems can offer a lower levelised cost of energy (LCOE) for long-duration storage, addressing key concerns around safety, affordability, and sustainability in energy storage.

This funding round marks a crucial milestone for the startup as it aims to prove the commercial viability of zinc-air batteries in India’s fast-growing renewable energy landscape. The company also plans to begin pilot deployments with grid operators and asset managers over the coming quarters.

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