UNIGRID
UNIGRID is a San Diego-based sodium-ion battery developer founded in 2021, producing proprietary NCO-chemistry battery cells and packs for stationary energy storage, residential ESS, vehicle starters, and industrial EVs. The company sells hardware directly to enterprise customers across the US, India, and Southeast Asia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What UNIGRID does
UNIGRID Inc. is a San Diego-based, privately held sodium-ion battery developer founded in 2021 as a spin-off from the University of California, San Diego. The company designs and manufactures ultra-safe sodium-ion battery cells using a proprietary NCO (sodium copper manganese iron oxide) cathode chemistry paired with an alloy-based anode, deliberately eliminating lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper from its supply chain. Its product portfolio includes the Power Cell Series spanning four form factors (cylindrical 3270 and 33140 cells, prismatic 50160118 and 72173207 cells, ranging from 4 Ah to 210+ Ah), plus two sub-branded application products: Na+ Fleet (12V starter batteries for vehicles) and Na+ Casa (48V residential energy storage systems). Key performance claims include 10,000-cycle lifespan, -40°C to 60°C operating range, 15-minute full charge / 5-minute discharge capability, and zero fire risk as validated by UN 38.3 and UL 9540A third-party certifications.
UNIGRID generates revenue primarily through one-time hardware sales of sodium-ion cells and packs, with no recurring consumption model. Its go-to-market combines a product-led growth motion (direct sample ordering via the company website for SMB and evaluation use) with enterprise field sales for large-scale deployments. Current production capacity stands at 100 MWh/year (2025), with a stated target of 1 GWh/year by 2026, achieved through capital-light foundry partnerships rather than owned fabrication. Named enterprise customers include Indexel (India-based EPC firm, 50 MWh deployment agreement for stationary energy storage) and Blue Whale Energy (Singapore-based virtual power plant operator, Southeast Asia rooftop storage partnership). Operating geographies span the United States, India, Singapore, and broader Southeast Asia.
The company has raised approximately $12 million in Series A equity (June 2024, co-led by Transition VC and Ritz Venture Capital with participation from Union Square Ventures, Foothill Ventures, and LG Technology Ventures), supplemented by a $2.9 million California Energy Commission RAMP grant (2025) and an earlier NSF grant (2022). Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, and the company is led by co-founders Darren H. S. Tan (CEO) and Erik A. Wu (CTO), with strategic advisory from Zheng Chen and scientific advisory from Shirley Meng. Board advisors include Fred Wilson, founder of Union Square Ventures.
UNIGRID firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UNIGRID
- Legal name
- UNIGRID Inc.
- Website
- https://unigridbattery.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- UNIGRID is a San Diego-based sodium-ion battery developer founded in 2021, producing proprietary NCO-chemistry battery cells and packs for stationary energy storage, residential ESS, vehicle starters, and industrial EVs. The company sells hardware directly to enterprise customers across the US, India, and Southeast Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UNIGRID industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sodium-ion Batteries
- NAICS
- Battery Manufacturing (33591), Battery Manufacturing (335910)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Battery Cells (Li-ion, LFP, Sodium-ion, Lead-acid, NiMH) (IMAGAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Battery Pack Manufacturing & Module Assembly (EUAFABAI), Battery Modules & Packs (Industrial/Commercial pack assembly) (IMAGAHAB)
Keywords
Where UNIGRID is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
UNIGRID business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Sodium-ion Battery Hardware Sales: Primary revenue from selling sodium-ion battery cells and packs. The company manufactures and sells battery hardware for stationary energy storage systems (ESS), UPS applications, vehicle starters, and industrial electric vehicles. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware purchases with no recurring consumption model.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
UNIGRID product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UNIGRID manufactures and sells proprietary sodium-ion battery cells and packs built on NCO (sodium copper manganese iron oxide) cathode chemistry and alloy-based anodes that eliminate lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper. The portfolio includes the Power Cell Series (cylindrical and prismatic cells from 4 Ah to 210+ Ah) plus application-branded product lines Na+ Fleet (12V starter batteries) and Na+ Casa (48V residential energy storage systems).
Product overview
UNIGRID offers a portfolio of ultra-safe sodium-ion batteries with multiple form factors and capacities. The core Power Cell Series includes four cylindrical and prismatic cell models (3270, 33140, 50160118, 72173207) ranging from 4 Ah to 210+ Ah, designed for stationary ESS, UPS backup, vehicle starters, and industrial EVs. The company also offers two sub-branded product lines: Na+ Fleet™ (12V starter batteries for mobility applications) and Na+ Casa™ (48V residential energy storage systems). All products share UNIGRID's proprietary sodium-ion chemistry featuring zero fire risk, wide operating temperatures (-40°C to 60°C), and up to 10,000 cycle life.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Na+ Fleet: 12V starter battery product line for fleet applications ranging from two wheels to heavy duty vehicles.
- Na+ Casa
- Power Cell Series
Products and services
- Power Cell Series 3270 Compact cylindrical sodium-ion battery cell with >4.0 Ah capacity, 2.0-3.4V voltage range, 10,000 cycle life, and -40 to 60°C operating temperature range, targeted at applications requiring small-format cells.
- Power Cell Series 33140 Cylindrical sodium-ion battery cell with >9.0 Ah capacity, 2.0-3.4V voltage range, 10,000 cycle life, and high power charge/discharge capabilities for high-power applications.
- Power Cell Series 50160118 Large-format prismatic sodium-ion battery cell with >70 Ah capacity designed for stationary energy storage systems (ESS), UPS power backup, and industrial electric vehicle applications.
- Power Cell Series 72173207 Large-capacity prismatic sodium-ion battery cell with >210 Ah capacity built for utility-scale stationary energy storage applications.
- Na+ Fleet™ 12V sodium-ion starter battery product line for fleet applications ranging from two-wheelers to heavy-duty vehicles, positioning a single battery solution across mobility use cases.
- Na+ Casa™ 48V sodium-ion residential energy storage system (RESS) designed for behind-the-meter use in homes and buildings, delivering consistent performance across extreme climates with a long-life, fire-safe chemistry.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000 cycle life compared to 3,000-5,000 cycles for typical lithium-ion batteries
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use UNIGRID
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UNIGRID technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
UNIGRID partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- IndexelflagshipIndexel is an India-based EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) firm that signed a 50 MWh battery energy storage system deployment agreement with UNIGRID in April 2025. This represents UNIGRID's first major commercial deployment and entry into the Indian energy storage market.
- Blue Whale EnergycoreBlue Whale Energy is a Singapore-headquartered VPP (Virtual Power Plant) company partnering with UNIGRID for deployment of rooftop battery energy storage systems in the Southeast Asia market. This partnership enables UNIGRID's entry into the distributed energy resources market in Southeast Asia.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
UNIGRID competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Natron Energy: US-based sodium-ion battery manufacturer using Prussian blue analog chemistry for data center backup and industrial applications. Closest direct competitor to UNIGRID, targeting overlapping stationary and UPS markets with similar safety-focused value proposition.
- Altris: Swedish sodium-ion battery company developing Prussian white cathode cells for stationary storage and mobility. Comparable technology focus on sodium-ion with comparable cycle life and safety claims; similar early commercial stage.
- Faradion: UK-based sodium-ion battery pioneer (acquired by Reliance Industries in 2022) developing cells for mobility and stationary storage. Directly comparable sodium-ion technology and end-market overlap, though now backed by a large strategic.
- HiNa Battery: Chinese sodium-ion battery company affiliated with Li-Fun Technology, one of the first commercial sodium-ion producers. Direct peer in sodium-ion cells with significantly more manufacturing scale, putting pressure on UNIGRID's pricing.
Broad incumbents
- Northvolt: Swedish lithium-ion battery manufacturer with significant European gigafactory footprint that has publicly explored sodium-ion chemistries. While primarily Li-ion, represents a well-funded Western battery incumbent competing for similar ESS and mobility customers.
- CATL: World's largest battery manufacturer, already producing sodium-ion cells (Naxtra brand) at scale for Chinese EV and ESS markets. Sets the pricing and scale benchmark UNIGRID must compete against, especially in international markets.
- BYD: Chinese battery and EV giant with sodium-ion cell development and a small-form-factor sodium-ion product in production. Vertically integrated with massive scale; competes on price and supply security in the same end markets UNIGRID targets.
Emerging players
- Form Energy: US-based iron-air battery developer for long-duration grid storage (100+ hours). Targets overlapping utility-scale storage customers with UNIGRID's 72173207 cell, though with a fundamentally different chemistry optimized for multi-day discharge.
- ESS Inc. US-based iron flow battery manufacturer for long-duration grid storage. Competes with UNIGRID's stationary ESS products in the utility and C&I storage market, with similar safety and longevity positioning but different chemistry.
- QuantumScape: US-based solid-state lithium-metal battery developer (publicly traded). Comparable as a US next-generation battery play, although targeting EV traction applications; UNIGRID's NSF grant for solid-state sodium batteries connects them loosely on R&D direction.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UNIGRID social profiles
Digital presenceUNIGRID compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
UNIGRID financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNIGRID leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
UNIGRID funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNIGRID M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UNIGRID
What does UNIGRID do?
UNIGRID manufactures and sells proprietary sodium-ion battery cells and packs built on NCO (sodium copper manganese iron oxide) cathode chemistry and alloy-based anodes that eliminate lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper. The portfolio includes the Power Cell Series (cylindrical and prismatic cells from 4 Ah to 210+ Ah) plus application-branded product lines Na+ Fleet (12V starter batteries) and Na+ Casa (48V residential energy storage systems).
Is UNIGRID a public or private company?
UNIGRID is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was UNIGRID founded?
UNIGRID was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is UNIGRID based?
UNIGRID is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does UNIGRID make money?
One revenue line is on record: sodium-ion Battery Hardware Sales.
Who are UNIGRID's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Natron Energy, Altris, Faradion and HiNa Battery. Broad incumbents are Northvolt, CATL and BYD. Emerging players are Form Energy, ESS Inc. and QuantumScape.
Does UNIGRID have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNIGRID.
What industry is UNIGRID in?
UNIGRID's product category is Sodium-ion Batteries. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAHAA, Battery Cells (Li-ion, LFP, Sodium-ion, Lead-acid, NiMH), with a secondary code of EUAFABAI, Battery Pack Manufacturing & Module Assembly. Its NAICS code is 33591 and its SIC code is 3600.