InnoEnergy has led a seven-figure pre-seed funding round for Qkera, a Munich-based advanced materials company developing solid-state electrolyte components for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. The investment, which also involved UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators and several strategic angel investors, aims to accelerate Qkera’s path to commercial production.
As part of the collaboration, InnoEnergy has appointed Peter Schuhmacher, former president of BASF’s battery materials division, to Qkera’s board of directors and strategic advisory team. His expertise is expected to guide the company through its next phase of growth.
Founded in 2024 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Qkera focuses on ceramic electrolyte membranes that offer improvements in energy density, charge times, and safety. The firm’s proprietary chemical process produces thin, flexible ceramic membranes in a single high-yield step at lower temperatures, addressing the brittleness, thickness, and cost challenges that have hindered the wider adoption of ceramic electrolytes. Qkera’s drop-in solution is compatible with existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing lines, providing a clear route to scaling up production.
Qkera’s technology is positioned to strengthen Europe’s battery supply chain by delivering high-energy, safe, and cost-effective solutions critical to electrified mobility and renewable energy storage. The company already collaborates with major automakers and cell manufacturers, and plans to establish a pilot production line in 2026. Its growing patent portfolio underpins the scalable approach to production.
Christian Bauer, CEO for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at InnoEnergy, noted that Qkera’s electrolyte component could be a game changer in a market that demands higher performance and faster charging. He added that InnoEnergy will leverage its extensive network of industry partners and more than 30 energy storage start-ups to support Qkera’s entry into mass markets.
Dr. Andreas Weis, Qkera’s managing director, highlighted the scalable and affordable nature of the company’s process and pointed to the pre-seed round as a catalyst for finalizing development partnerships.
Co-founder and chief strategy officer Prof. Jennifer Rupp said the collaboration with InnoEnergy, backed by its strong European Battery Alliance ties, will help Qkera bring its technology to volume manufacturing.
Source: InnoEnergy News Resources
