From materials to market: The entrepreneurs behind NanoGraf Corporation reveal how they built an international company around a Northwestern battery technology
It’s always hard to leave a dream job.
But in 2011, Samir Mayekar ’13 KSM ’06 WCAS knew it was the right time to go back to school and take a shot at entrepreneurship. His roles, working at the intersection of national security and energy under the Obama Administration, came to an end and he was eager to make a difference in the clean energy space.
Fast forward to 2019 and a company he founded, NanoGraf Corporation (formerly SiNode Systems), is the maker of an advanced battery material that could turn the lithium-ion battery market – with applications from consumer electronics to electric vehicles – on its head.
USABC Awards $7.5 Million Technology Development Contract for Commercialization of High-Energy Anode Materials to Nanograf Technologies
News Release: Usabc Awards $7.5 Million Technology Development Contract for Commercialization of High-Energy Anode Materials to Nanograf Technologies
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 17, 2019 – The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC), a subsidiary of the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC (USCAR), and a collaborative organization of FCA US LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors, today announced the award of a $7.5 million technology development contract to NanoGraf Technologies in Chicago, Illinois for commercialization of high-energy anode materials.
NanoGraf Names New Leaders to Support Continued Growth
CHICAGO, IL (May 21, 2019) – NanoGraf Corporation, a Chicago-based developer of advanced materials, announced today the appointment of Samir Mayekar as Chairman, Dr. Francis Wang as CEO, Steve Markscheid as President, and Gretchen Cannon as CFO.
How Battery Entrepreneurs Learned the Power of Environmentally Responsible Business
If society successfully transitions to a green-energy future, odds are battery innovation will have helped get us there. By allowing the storage of sustainably produced energy, batteries have the potential to transform carbon-intensive systems as vast as the power grid and transportation sector
NanoGraf Corporation Extends Series A To $5.5M to improve battery energy density by 50% for consumer electronics and electric vehicles
CHICAGO, IL (February 7, 2019) – NanoGraf Corporation, a Chicago-based developer of advanced materials raised an additional $1 million in Series A financing. The new investment comes from Hyde Park Angels and brings the total amount raised for the round to $5.5M. The initial investment came from JNC Corporation, a Tokyo-based specialty chemical manufacturer.
SiNode is now NanoGraf
NanoGraf Corporation launches with $4.5M to improve battery energy density by 50% for consumer electronics and electric vehicles
SiNode to Exhibit at 2018 IMLB in Kyoto, Japan
SiNode will be exhibiting at the 2018 International Meeting on Lithium Batteries in Kyoto, Japan from June 17-22, 2018. Come visit us at Booth 22!
SiNode selected as “2017 Startup Story of the Year” by Greentech Media Energy Gang
SiNode was honored to be selected by Jigar Shah as his “2017 Startup Story of the Year” in Greentech Media’s Energy Gang podcast. Jigar highlighted SiNode’s unique technology, commercialization model, and philosophy of customer-led development.
PPG Forms Partnership With SiNode Systems for Vehicle Battery Technology
PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced it has entered into a partnership with SiNode Systems to accelerate the commercialization of high-energy anode materials for advanced battery applications in electric vehicles. The 30-month project will enable the partners to rapidly develop and demonstrate anode materials that will store more energy than conventional lithium-ion battery materials, enabling electric vehicles to travel farther on a single charge or to have a lighter-weight battery.
New Journal Article by SiNode and Northwestern on Commercializing Battery Innovations
SiNode partnered with Northwestern to publish a journal article highlighting our perspective on commercializing battery innovation. Specifically, we focus on applying learnings from the pharma commercialization model.
SiNode Featured in Greentech Media
SiNode Systems was featured in a Greentech Media story entitled “A Battery-Material Startup Applies Lessons From the Venture Capital Bust”
SiNode Featured in VentureWell Video and Blog
After awarding SiNode Systems the 2017 Sustainable Practice Impact Award, VentureWell interviewed SiNode CEO Samir Mayekar on a range of topics.
SiNode Systems Wins 2017 VentureWell Sustainable Practice Impact Award
We are thrilled to share that SiNode was selected as the 2017 recipient of the VentureWell Sustainable Practice Impact Award. VentureWell was our very first funder and is an organization that envisions a world in which science and technology innovators have the support, training, and access to networks and resources they need to solve the world’s most difficult problems.
SiNode Systems Featured by US Small Business Administration as SBIR Success Story
The SBA recently featured SiNode Systems as an SBIR success story.
SiNode and Argonne Awarded Small Business Voucher from US DOE
SiNode Systems was awarded a prestigious Small Business Voucher for a joint project with the battery experts at Argonne National Laboratory.
USABC Awards $4 Million to SiNode Systems to Develop Advanced Battery Materials for Electric Vehicles
Chicago, IL, June 20, 2016 – The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC), a collaborative organization of FCA US LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors, today announced the award of a $4 million contract to SiNode Systems Inc., in Chicago, Illinois, for development of advanced anode materials for automotive lithium-ion battery applications.
SiNode Systems to Exhibit at 2016 Mobile World Congress and Battery Japan
SiNode Systems will be exhibiting at both the 2016 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and Battery Japan in Tokyo from February 22 – March 4th. Please stop by Hall 5 Booth I31 to learn more information about how our advanced battery materials platform can bring your customers value.
SiNode Co-Founder Cary Hayner Selected for 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 List
What a great way to begin 2016! SiNode Systems Co-Founder Cary Hayner was selected to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.