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§ Private Profile · Toronto, Canada
Energy storage technology developer offering zinc-based long-duration energy storage for grid-scale renewable integration and zero-carbon grids.
Founded in 2012 by Gregory Zhang, Toronto-based e-Zinc develops breakthrough electrochemical technology that stores energy within zinc metal for long-duration, grid-scale applications across the renewable energy sector. This flexible solution decouples power from energy capacity, providing a low-cost alternative to lithium-ion batteries that operates safely in extreme temperatures using abundant and recyclable materials. Led by Chief Executive Officer James Larsen, the enterprise operates a pilot-scale manufacturing facility in Ontario alongside new regional offices in the United States. These facilities support the commercialization of zero-carbon backup power systems and upcoming pilot projects targeting critical applications in both California and the Ontario market. To finance its ongoing technology development, the firm secures venture capital and grant funding, highlighted by a one million six hundred thousand dollar award from Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada and investment backing from BDC Capital.
e-Zinc has raised $68.0M across 5 funding rounds.
e-Zinc has raised $68.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.
e-Zinc has raised $68.0M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $31.0M Series A in June 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2024 | $31M Series A | Anzu Partners, Earth Foundry, Evok Innovations | BDC Venture Capital, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Creative Ventures, Energy Foundry, Energy Impact Partners, GE Ventures, Graphite Ventures, Ultratech Capital Partners | Announced |
| Oct 12, 2022 | $7M Debt Financing | Silicon Valley Bank | — | Announced |
| Apr 1, 2022 | $25M Series A | Anzu Partners | BDC Venture Capital, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Creative Ventures, Energy Foundry, Energy Impact Partners, GE Ventures, Graphite Ventures, Ultratech Capital Partners | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2021 | $2M Seed | — | Anzu Partners, BDC Venture Capital, Energy Foundry, GE Ventures, Graphite Ventures, Ultratech Capital Partners | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2020 | $3M Seed | — | Bullpen Capital, Energy Foundry, Graphite Ventures | Announced |
e-Zinc has raised $68.0M in total across 5 funding rounds.
e-Zinc's investors include Anzu Partners, Earth Foundry, Evok Innovations, BDC Venture Capital, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Creative Ventures, Energy Foundry, Energy Impact Partners, GE Ventures, Graphite Ventures, Ultratech Capital Partners, Silicon Valley Bank.
e-Zinc is a Toronto-based technology company developing zinc-based long-duration energy storage systems for grid-scale applications.[1][3][5] It builds electrochemical batteries that store energy in physically-free zinc metal, decoupling power and energy to enable multi-day storage at up to 80% lower cost than lithium-ion alternatives, serving utilities and energy providers transitioning to renewables.[3][5] The technology solves renewable intermittency by providing safe, flexible solutions operable from -30°C to 60°C using abundant, recyclable materials, with the company raising nearly $100 million, growing to 75 employees, and securing partnerships like Toyota Tsusho.[1][4]
Founded in 2012, e-Zinc has accelerated commercialization through $31 million Series A2 funding in 2024 and projects with the California Energy Commission, positioning it as a key enabler for zero-carbon grids.[1][4]
e-Zinc was founded in 2012 by Dr. Gregory Zhang in Toronto, Ontario, starting as a small team pioneering "metalizing energy" with zinc-based electrochemical storage.[1][3] Initially frugal with about $900,000 raised by 2018—when CEO James Larsen joined as the fifth member—the company emphasized careful financial management amid the nascent energy storage sector.[1] Pivotal growth came in the last five years: team expansion to 75, funding nearing $100 million (including $3.4 million in 2020 led by Energy Foundry and over $100 million in equity/grants since 2018 from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Eni), and first-of-a-kind pilots.[1][2][4] Recognition as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and 2025 Canadian tech entrepreneur highlight its trajectory.[4]
e-Zinc rides the global surge in renewables, where solar/wind records mask intermittency challenges requiring affordable long-duration storage.[5] Timing aligns with net-zero mandates and grid modernization, as zinc's abundance counters lithium supply constraints amid rising demand for multi-day backups.[1][3] Market forces like policy incentives (e.g., California projects) and investor interest in cleantech favor it, influencing the ecosystem by proving metal-air tech viability and partnering with majors like Toyota to accelerate deployment.[4][5] This positions e-Zinc to reshape energy markets, enabling 100% renewable penetration.
e-Zinc eyes full commercialization, shifting from battery OEM to holistic energy solutions provider over the next decade, leveraging pilots and funding for global scale.[1] Trends like AI-driven grids and extreme weather will amplify demand for its durable, cheap storage, with influence growing via awards and ecosystem partnerships.[4] As zinc tech matures, e-Zinc could dominate long-duration markets, powering the renewable-dominated future it envisions from day one.