What ION Storage Systems does

ION Storage Systems is a Maryland-based, venture-backed developer of solid-state lithium metal batteries built on a patented 3D ceramic multilayer garnet architecture. The company's core technology eliminates flammable liquid electrolytes, removes the need for external compression or active cooling, and uses an anodeless design with a lithium-metal anode and a non-flammable ceramic separator. The platform has demonstrated >1,000 cycles in a commercially-relevant footprint, >2,000 cycles in R&D, 25x capacity improvement versus prior generations, and 8-minute fast-charge at 60°C. Its first commercial product, the Cornerstone™ Cell, is a multilayer ceramic solid-state cell designed for integration into consumer electronics, with longer-term applications targeted at electric vehicles, aerospace & defense, and grid & stationary storage. ION operates a 30,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Beltsville, Maryland, supported by a new continuous ceramic sintering furnace (the Atlas line) and pilot sintering furnaces, with commercial production scheduled to begin in late 2026.

The company monetizes through hardware sales of solid-state battery cells and sample shipments to OEMs, including an early validation stream supplying the U.S. Department of Defense. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; customers engage via direct enterprise sales and inbound leads through the company website. Go-to-market combines a direct enterprise sales motion led by the Chief Commercial Officer (Eric Lind), an inside-sales/lead-capture motion, and a strategic co-development and channel partnership with Saint-Gobain's NOVA division for advanced battery materials. As of mid-2026 ION had achieved customer qualification of the Cornerstone Cell — the first U.S. solid-state battery company to do so — but had not yet commenced commercial-scale production, making it pre-revenue.

ION has raised capital across multiple Series A closings (totaling roughly $60M+ in disclosed equity), a $10M debt facility from Leonid Capital Partners, and material non-dilutive funding from ARPA-E ($20M), the DOE Office of Science ($1.4M), the State of Maryland ($11M+), and TEDCO ($2M). Strategic investors include Toyota Ventures, Tenaska, Bangchak Corporation, Clear Creek Investments, VoLo Earth Ventures, Alsop Louie Partners, Saint-Gobain (NOVA), and Alumni Ventures. Leadership combines deep solid-state battery research (co-founder Dr. Eric Wachsman, Executive Chair; CTO Dr. Greg Hitz), large-scale battery materials expertise (CEO Jorge Diaz Schneider, ex-Albemarle VP), and commercial battery sales pedigree (CCO Eric Lind, ex-Ultralife/Duracell/VARTA), with CFO Ravi Abbineni (ex-JM Family Enterprises, JPMorgan, GE Capital) joining in May 2026.

Name

ION Storage Systems

Legal name

Ion Storage Systems, Inc.

Website

https://ionstoragesystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ION Storage Systems is a Beltsville, Maryland-based, pre-commercial manufacturer of solid-state lithium metal batteries built on a patented 3D ceramic multilayer garnet architecture. Its Cornerstone™ Cell targets consumer electronics, defense, electric vehicles, and grid storage OEMs, with commercial production scheduled for late 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solid-state batteries

NAICS

Battery Manufacturing (33591)

akta.pro primary industry

Battery Cells (Li-ion, LFP, Sodium-ion, Lead-acid, NiMH) (IMAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Solid-state batteries
• Lithium metal batteries
• Ceramic battery technology
• Consumer electronics batteries
• Energy storage systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Beltsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Solid-state battery cell sales (hardware): Pre-commercialization-stage revenue generation through sale of solid-state battery cells (Cornerstone™ Cell and subsequent generations). Commercial production scheduled to begin at the Beltsville, Maryland facility in late 2026, initially targeting high-value industrial, consumer electronics, and automotive applications.
2. Government/defense battery supply: Cell supply to the U.S. Department of Defense and related defense customers (per WSJ coverage), an early revenue stream that helped validate the technology ahead of broader commercial sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Core offering

ION Storage Systems manufactures solid-state lithium-metal batteries using a patented 3D ceramic multilayer garnet architecture. Its first commercial product line, Cornerstone, delivers anodeless battery cells produced at a 30,000-square-foot Beltsville, Maryland facility for integration into consumer electronics, defense, electric vehicles, and grid storage applications. The platform eliminates flammable liquid electrolyte and external compression requirements, and supports semi-automated multi-layer cell production for sampling and commercial shipment.

Product overview

ION Storage Systems offers a unified solid-state battery platform anchored by its patented 3D ceramic battery architecture, from which the Cornerstone Cell — ION's first commercial-generation product — is produced as multilayer cells targeting consumer electronics, electric vehicles, aerospace & defense, and grid & storage applications. The platform eliminates flammable liquid electrolytes and external compression, and is supported by in-house manufacturing capabilities at the Beltsville, Maryland facility including the new Atlas continuous furnace and pilot sintering furnaces used to scale multi-layer cell production. The Cornerstone product family, the underlying 3D ceramic platform, the multi-layer ceramic SSB cell production line, and the Atlas furnace together form a single integrated offering spanning materials, cells, and pilot-scale manufacturing rather than a modular add-on portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cornerstone: Cornerstone is the first commercial generation of ION Storage Systems' solid-state battery technology, a multilayer cell product line designed for consumer electronics applications such as smartphones, laptops, and wearables.

Products and services

• Cornerstone Cell ION's first commercial-generation anodeless multilayer ceramic solid-state battery cell, designed for integration into consumer electronics, defense, and automotive applications. Delivers long cycle life, zero swell, non-flammable operation, and eliminates the need for bulky compression systems.
• ION 3D Ceramic Solid-State Battery Platform Patented 3D ceramic battery architecture that eliminates flammable liquid electrolyte, avoids thermal runaway, and requires no external compression or cooling. Supports lithium-metal anodes, accommodates existing and future cathodes, and forms the foundation of the Cornerstone product family.
• Multi-Layer Ceramic Solid-State Battery Cells Multi-layer solid-state battery cells produced on ION's semi-automated production line at the Beltsville, MD facility, validated for >1,000 cycles in a commercially-relevant footprint and demonstrated 8-minute fast-charge capability at 60°C.
• Atlas Furnace New continuous ceramic sintering furnace installed at the Beltsville, MD facility to scale solid-state battery cell production; paired with pilot sintering furnaces that accelerate SSB manufacturing capacity.

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• QuantumScape: Public solid-state lithium-metal battery developer focused on automotive applications, partnering with Volkswagen/PowerCo. Most direct comparable to ION's 3D ceramic architecture and automotive ambitions.
• Solid Power: Solid-state battery developer (sulfide-based) with BMW and Ford JDA partnerships. Competes with ION in automotive and defense end markets with a comparable scale-up timeline.
• SES AI (SolidEnergy Systems): Developer of lithium-metal and hybrid solid-state batteries with automotive OEM partnerships (Honda, GM, Hyundai). Directly comparable in cell chemistry and automotive GTM.
• ProLogium Technology: Taiwan-based ceramic oxide solid-state battery manufacturer targeting EV and consumer electronics. Closely comparable to ION's ceramic-based multilayer architecture and CE/EV end markets.
• Factorial Energy: Solid-state battery developer with Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Hyundai-Kia partnerships. Competes in the same automotive OEM qualification landscape as ION.

Emerging players

• Amprius Technologies: Silicon-anode lithium-ion battery maker with a public listing, targeting aviation, defense, and EV. Adjacent in next-gen battery chemistry but uses liquid electrolyte, not solid-state.

Broad incumbents

• Samsung SDI: Major Korean battery incumbent with an active solid-state battery roadmap and large OEM customer base. Represents the well-capitalized incumbent ION must displace in automotive.
• LG Energy Solution: Global battery incumbent pursuing solid-state technology alongside its lithium-ion portfolio. Sets the competitive scale bar for OEM selection in automotive and grid storage.
• SK On: Korean battery incumbent with solid-state development partnerships (e.g., Solid Power). Comparable end-market exposure to EVs and grid storage with much larger scale.
• Toyota: Automotive OEM with one of the largest solid-state battery patent portfolios and dedicated commercialization plans for 2027+. Strategic competitor and potential customer/investor (Toyota Ventures is already an ION investor).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds14 records

Investors14 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ION Storage Systems