Mana Battery, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is an advanced battery technology company dedicated to pioneering the next generation of sodium-ion batteries. Founded in October 2023 as a spin-off from the laboratory of Chunmei Ban at the University of Colorado Boulder, the company focuses on developing cost-effective, safe, and high-performing battery solutions to compete with traditional lithium-ion technology. Mana Battery emphasizes sodium-ion systems, leveraging domestically available minerals to enhance supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on imported materials. Its mission is to advance sustainable energy storage by addressing two critical challenges: achieving competitive energy densities and minimizing production costs.
Building on their patented electrolyte technology and anode-free cell design, Mana’s sodium-ion solutions are targeted at applications such as grid energy storage, low-cost electric vehicles, and emerging markets like wearables and IoT devices. The company’s leadership includes experts from top-tier institutions and firms, such as Tesla, Solid Power, and Sionic Energy, bringing industry and technical rigor to its R&D and commercialization efforts. By prioritizing sodium-ion’s scalability and affordability, Mana Battery positions itself as a disruptive player in an industry increasingly focused on energy storage innovation.
Battery Technology
Mana Battery’s core innovations revolve around proprietary sodium-ion electrolytes and high-energy, anode-free cell designs. Their electrolytes are engineered to tackle critical challenges in battery performance and safety. Unlike conventional lithium-ion electrolytes that pose fire risks, Mana’s formulations incorporate “fire-extinguishing” molecules to prevent thermal runaway. These electrolytes are optimized to work across multiple sodium-ion cell chemistries, extending calendar and cycle life while reducing costs by minimizing material waste and degradation. As electrolytes interact with all internal battery components, their efficiency directly impacts the overall system’s performance, making them a central focus of Mana’s research.
The company’s high-energy sodium cells employ an anode-free design, eliminating a costly and complex component while achieving energy densities (Wh/L) that surpass lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. This breakthrough reduces production costs to 35–75% of lithium-ion equivalents, driven by sodium’s abundance and lower material expenses. Mana Battery is scaling these cells through partnerships with established manufacturers, allowing the company to focus on material development while leveraging existing industrial infrastructure. Their technology targets applications requiring cost-effective energy storage, such as grid stability systems and mass-market EVs.
Recent Projects
In the past year, Mana Battery has achieved significant milestones toward commercialization. It secured $132,505 in funding through the Lab Venture Challenge, a program supporting university-derived technologies, which helped advance its electrolyte research. Additional backing from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s Advanced Industries Program and the University of Colorado’s Chancellor’s Innovation Fund provided further support for scaling production and R&D.
The company also announced its first memorandum of understanding with a customer, marking progress in establishing supply chain partnerships. Collaborations like this are critical to Mana’s strategy of forming joint ventures with cell manufacturers to enter high-volume markets. In parallel, Mana Battery partnered with engineering firm Black & Veatch to design and construct a commercial-scale lithium hydroxide refinery. This project aims to secure low-cost sodium sources while aligning with regional supply chain goals, reinforcing Mana’s focus on domestic resource utilization.
Investors
Mana Battery’s early-stage funding and strategic partnerships highlight its growing industry recognition. Buff Gold Ventures is a key backer, contributing both financial support and advisory expertise through its board observer role. The company has also engaged with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, which provided grants to accelerate its transition from laboratory research to prototype development. The University of Colorado’s Chancellor’s Innovation Fund furthered these efforts by funding critical stages of the electrolyte development process.
While not a venture capital firm itself, Mana Battery benefits from the networks and operational experience of its leadership team, including advisor Ed Williams, CEO of Sionic Energy, and independent director Doug Campbell, formerly of Solid Power. This blend of academic and industry expertise positions Mana to navigate the complexities of scaling novel battery technologies.
Business Details
Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA
Website: https://www.manabattery.us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/98998380
