Sofab
Sofab Inks, Inc. develops and manufactures proprietary metal oxide nanoparticle formulations, primarily Tinfab (SnO2) and NicFab (NiO), as durable transport layer materials for perovskite and perovskite-tandem solar cell manufacturers, and offers custom nanoparticle formulation services for industrial partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersLouisville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sofab does
Sofab Inks, Inc. (DBA Sofab) is a private, for-profit materials science company founded in 2022 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The company was spun out of the University of Louisville's Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research with support from the US Department of Energy. Sofab develops and manufactures proprietary metal oxide nanoparticle formulations, with a core focus on electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL) materials for perovskite and perovskite-tandem solar cells.
Sofab's commercial product portfolio centers on two flagship formulations: Tinfab, a tin oxide (SnO2) ETL designed to replace conventional fullerene-based materials such as C60; and NicFab, a nickel oxide (NiO) HTL positioned as a durable inorganic alternative to PTAA. Both products are solution-processable and compatible with slot-die, blade, gravure, and spin coating deposition methods. The company has reported 22.2% efficiency in a 30x30 cm mini perovskite module using Tinfab, and partner Halocell Energy has reported nearly 100% efficiency retention after 1,300 hours of environmental stress testing using Sofab's inks. Beyond its core solar products, Sofab offers custom metal oxide nanoparticle formulation services for industrial applications including gas sensors, infrared blocking, anti-scratch coatings, catalysts, anti-corrosion coatings, battery electrodes, and anti-microbial coatings.
Sofab generates revenue through direct B2B sales of its nanoparticle ink products and through professional services fees for custom formulation and joint development engagements. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with sales handled through a dedicated email channel and direct enterprise engagement. The company has received approximately $1.4 million in cumulative funding, including a $200,000 DOE grant in 2022 and a $1.2 million equity round in late 2024 led by Bluegrass Angels, EGB Capital, Keyhorse Capital, and Snøcap. Customer-facing activity is concentrated on perovskite PV developers and equipment manufacturers, with Halocell Energy and Alpha Precision Systems serving as named strategic partners.
Sofab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sofab
- Legal name
- Sofab Inks, Inc.
- Website
- https://sofabinks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sofab Inks, Inc. develops and manufactures proprietary metal oxide nanoparticle formulations, primarily Tinfab (SnO2) and NicFab (NiO), as durable transport layer materials for perovskite and perovskite-tandem solar cell manufacturers, and offers custom nanoparticle formulation services for industrial partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sofab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Cell Materials
- NAICS
- Printing Ink Manufacturing (32591), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital & Specialty Inks (Inkjet, UV, Conductive) (IMAEAHAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Thin-Film Deposition Materials (PVD/CVD/ALD Targets & Precursors) (HDAHAGAH)
Keywords
Where Sofab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Louisville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sofab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Nanoparticle Product Sales: Sale of proprietary metal oxide nanoparticle formulations (Tinfab, NicFab) for perovskite solar cell manufacturing. Products are sold as functional materials for electron and hole transport layers.
- Custom Formulation Services: Custom nanoparticle formulation services for specific industrial applications, including joint development opportunities with partners. Revenue generated from R&D collaboration and custom product development.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Sofab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sofab develops and manufactures proprietary metal-oxide nanoparticle inks (Tinfab tin oxide SnO2 for electron transport layers and NicFab nickel oxide NiO for hole transport layers) used by perovskite and perovskite-tandem solar cell manufacturers. These nanoparticle formulations replace conventional organic transport-layer materials (C60 and PTAA), offering 2-3x greater durability and easier, lower-cost scalable deposition. The company also provides custom metal-oxide nanoparticle formulation services for industrial partners across solar cells, gas sensors, infrared blocking, coatings, catalysts, and battery electrodes.
Product overview
Sofab offers a portfolio of two core nanoparticle products—Tinfab (SnO₂) for electron transport layers and NicFab (NiO) for hole transport layers—designed for perovskite and perovskite-tandem solar cell manufacturing. Both products are metal-oxide-based formulations that replace suboptimal organic materials (C60 and PTAA respectively), offering 2-3x greater durability while maintaining or improving efficiency. The company also provides custom nanoparticle formulation services for developing new or modified nanoparticle materials tailored to specific industrial applications including solar cells, gas sensors, catalysts, coatings, and battery electrodes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tinfab (SnO2): Electron Transport Layer Materials - cost-effective, high-performance ETL for perovskite solar cells, 2-3x more durable than fullerenes
- Nicfab (NiO)
Products and services
- Tinfab (SnO2) Tin oxide (SnO2)-based electron transport layer (ETL) material for perovskite and perovskite-tandem solar cells. Solution-processable in both PIN and NIP architectures, providing greater durability, efficiency, and ease of application compared to organic ETL materials like C60. Non-diluted ink is stable for over 2 years in ambient conditions, enabling easier logistics and storage. Targets perovskite solar cell and panel manufacturers.
- NicFab (NiO) Nickel oxide (NiO)-based hole transport layer (HTL) material serving as a cost-effective inorganic alternative to PTAA in perovskite solar cells. Promotes crystal growth, has strong band alignment, is tunable, and is solution-processable enabling efficient and scalable manufacturing. Achieves 18% efficiencies in full metal-oxide perovskite cells with 3x greater durability than PTAA. Targets perovskite solar cell and panel manufacturers.
- Custom Nanoparticle Formulation Services Custom metal-oxide nanoparticle formulation services for mass-production applications, including modification of existing nanoparticle formulations through advanced doping and tuning techniques and creation of novel nanoparticle formulations with unique optical, electrical, or mechanical properties. Use cases include solar cells, perovskite-based devices, gas sensors, infrared blocking, anti-scratch coatings, catalysts, anti-corrosion coatings, battery electrodes, and anti-microbial coatings. Targets industrial technology partners seeking PhD-level nanoparticle expertise.
Quantifiable outcome
- 22.2% efficiency achieved in 30x30cm mini perovskite module
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Sofab
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sofab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Sofab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Halocell EnergycoreHalocell Energy integrated Sofab's metal oxide nanoparticle inks into its perovskite PV modules, achieving nearly 100% efficiency after 1,300 hours of testing under environmental stress conditions.
- Alpha Precision SystemscoreEquipment provider partnership for demonstrating 22.2% efficiency in 30x30cm mini perovskite solar module using industrially-compatible slot die coating processes.
- SolertixcoreStability testing partner working with Sofab on scaling up modules and conducting durability assessments.
- CHOSE at Tor Vergata UniversitycoreAcademic partner conducting stability testing with Sofab as part of the module scaling development process.
- University of Louisville, Conn Center for Renewable Energy ResearchcoreOriginal spin-out origin of Sofab from the university's research center focused on renewable energy. Sofab was established with support from the center's expertise.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sofab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Caelux: US perovskite tandem solar technology developer acquired by First Solar. Comparable to Sofab as part of the US perovskite ecosystem, and a downstream potential customer for perovskite transport-layer materials.
- Nano-C: US-based nanomaterials company specializing in functional carbon-based and metal-oxide nanomaterials for solar, display, and electronic applications. Comparable emerging player in specialty nanoparticle materials serving perovskite and adjacent markets.
- CUBICPV (formerly NS Materials / Rayton Solar): US perovskite tandem solar technology company. Comparable as part of the North American perovskite startup landscape and a potential partner/customer for Sofab's transport-layer inks.
- Saule Technologies: Poland-based perovskite solar cell developer producing flexible perovskite cells using inkjet printing. Operates in the same perovskite supply-chain ecosystem as Sofab and could be a customer or competitor depending on integration strategy.
- Greatcell Solar (formerly Dyesol): Australia-based perovskite solar cell materials and equipment company. Comparable as a specialty materials supplier to the perovskite PV industry with overlapping product scope in transport-layer materials.
- Halocell Energy: Australia-based perovskite PV module manufacturer and Sofab's disclosed anchor customer. Comparable as a downstream perovskite module integrator using Sofab's metal-oxide inks in commercial module production.
Direct peers
- Avantama: Swiss specialty materials company producing inks and coatings including perovskite precursor and transport-layer materials. Direct competitor to Sofab in metal-oxide nanoparticle formulations for perovskite and printed electronics applications.
- Dyenamo: Swedish supplier of specialty materials and inks for perovskite solar cells, including hole- and electron-transport materials. Closely comparable to Sofab in offering custom-formulated functional inks targeted at perovskite PV manufacturers.
Broad incumbents
- Oxford PV: UK/Germany-headquartered leader in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. While vertically integrated as a cell/module maker, Oxford PV is also a major buyer of perovskite transport-layer materials and a key downstream customer/partner reference for Sofab's ETL/HTL inks.
- Merck Electronics (Performance Materials): Global specialty chemicals giant supplying electronic materials, including inks and precursors for perovskite and display applications. Broad incumbent competitor with vastly greater scale and customer reach than Sofab in the same materials space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sofab social profiles
Digital presenceSofab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sofab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Sofab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sofab 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 Sofab
What does Sofab do?
Sofab develops and manufactures proprietary metal-oxide nanoparticle inks (Tinfab tin oxide SnO2 for electron transport layers and NicFab nickel oxide NiO for hole transport layers) used by perovskite and perovskite-tandem solar cell manufacturers. These nanoparticle formulations replace conventional organic transport-layer materials (C60 and PTAA), offering 2-3x greater durability and easier, lower-cost scalable deposition. The company also provides custom metal-oxide nanoparticle formulation services for industrial partners across solar cells, gas sensors, infrared blocking, coatings, catalysts, and battery electrodes.
Is Sofab a public or private company?
Sofab is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sofab founded?
Sofab was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sofab based?
Sofab is headquartered in Louisville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sofab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Nanoparticle Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Formulation Services.
Who are Sofab's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Caelux, Nano-C, CUBICPV (formerly NS Materials / Rayton Solar), Saule Technologies, Greatcell Solar (formerly Dyesol) and Halocell Energy. Direct peers are Avantama and Dyenamo. Broad incumbents are Oxford PV and Merck Electronics (Performance Materials).
Does Sofab have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sofab.
What industry is Sofab in?
Sofab's product category is Solar Cell Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAHAI, Digital & Specialty Inks (Inkjet, UV, Conductive), with a secondary code of HDAHAGAH, Thin-Film Deposition Materials (PVD/CVD/ALD Targets & Precursors). Its NAICS code is 32591 and its SIC code is 2851.